Why use classroom consequences?

Classroom management strategies and techniques are required for a calm and orderly classroom. But, they may not work all the time and with all students. Distractions and disturbances are very common where focus and attention are demanded (the case of the classroom).

So, having effective classroom consequences at hand will help you know how to respond when students misbehave. Students, in turn, will recognize that this is what they deserve and that you are having nothing against them, but you oppose their behaviour.

Think of logical classroom consequences as a positive behaviour approach rather than forms of punishment for students’ behaviour.

Unlike punishment which intends to enforce compliance with the rules by using controls, classroom consequences aim to help learners learn from their mistakes in a supportive learning environment. Being suspended from school, and depriving students of recess or any extra-curricular activities are not logical consequences but rather punitive responses.

So, the aim of classroom consequences is to encourage students to regulate more their behaviour, and learn how to behave well without making them feel bad or defended.

As a matter of fact, classroom consequences can be great learning opportunities for students through which you can nurture their sense of responsibility and enhance their SEL. They can also help you in building relationships with students and creating a positive learning environment.

How to set effective classroom consequences?

Before creating your list of classroom consequences, it is necessary to consider the school/institution regulations/policies. Then, think about your class, your teaching style and your objectives.

Besides, for classroom consequences to be effective, they need to be:

• Relevant: They can help improve students’ behaviour. This requires assessing the situation and gathering information from the situation to understand more the reason for the behaviour and so determine how to fix the problem.
• Logical: They relate directly to the student’s behaviour at hand and don’t interfere with his personality, social status or anything else.
• Positive: They focus on what behaviour is expected, not the inappropriate one. So, they don’t involve any kind of offence to the students.

 

Be sure to communicate explicitly your classroom consequences to students. Explain them, and show their relevance to students’ learning and your productivity as a teacher.

Also, use empathy when describing your classroom consequences. This helps your students focus on their mistakes and feel more accountable for learning from them. If you apply them with anger and intimidation, your consequences will fail and you’re likely to abandon their use.

A mistake can be a great teacher, provided the child is allowed to experience the consequences of the mistake. However, it is the empathy expressed by the adult that drives the pain of the consequence into his or her heart and turns experience into long-term memory and wisdom.  (Jim Fay & David Funk, Teaching With Love and Logic, 2009, p.39)

 

For instance, when talking to latecomers (while students are working on a task) you might say: “I’m sorry today you’ve missed an important part of the lesson. I hope everything is okay. Would you like to tell me what happened”. Then, you can add: “No worries, you’ll stay after class for some time to catch up. I’ll look forward to helping you get on track“.

Since students need to remember the consequences, post them on a bulletin board, and/or share them on your class blog or any social media you are connecting through with your classes.

Some logical classroom consequences

Here are some logical classroom consequences you can incorporate into your classes.

#Fix what you have broken

Students have to take responsibility for fixing what they have broken: cleaning up the mess, scrubbing the graffiti off, apologizing for hurting their peers’ feelings, etc.

#Change your seat

Reseating can help students reflect on their behaviour and how they should improve it. Some situations where you can use this classroom consequence with students include:

Latecomers: Ask them to sit in a special location in the classroom, e.g., at the front. This will help them recognize the importance of coming on time. Also, ask them to stay after class for a certain amount of time and assign a short task in relation to the lesson. Keep records of late arrivals and tell students that you will mark them late if they are more than three minutes late to class.

Disruptive students: Moving those disturbing and disruptive students to the front can help them get more engaged in learning. I use this classroom consequence with my students and it works, especially when I interact with that student and show my concern. The student can join his seat during the next lesson and if he keeps on disturbing use the next classroom consequence.

#Sit alone

In case of repeated disturbing behaviours, make the student sit alone and give him a journal to jot his ideas. He has to express his feelings at the moment and why he is behaving so. Then, talk to him after class (during lunch, recess, etc.), listen actively and try to come up with a solution together.

For elementary students, you can pose your questions in the journal or ask them to describe their feelings through drawing. Talk to the student and explain the consequences of his poor conduct and how he should behave instead.

#No access

When students’ personal technology devices are prohibited and used during instructional time, take possession of such devices. Hold them until the end of the class or confiscate them, and turn them over to the administration (this classroom consequence depends on the school/institution policy).

Also, if students are using instructional materials and technological equipment inappropriately, they will have no access to them for a while.

#Low grades/ Loss of rewards

For homework/assignment submission, always give your students another chance to submit them. If you are grading them, create a point system for homework and students who do not submit them on time get less marks.

A better alternative is providing descriptive comments instead of grades and rewarding students who always complete them on schedule (a rewarding system has to be set).

If the issue of late or no submission persists with the student talk to him after class (e.g., at recess, during lunch, or in your office). Explain the importance of completing assignments. Try to understand the reason behind his behaviour and help out with the process (explain the tasks, provide organization tips for learning at home, etc.). In case these consequences have not worked use the next one.

#Talk to parents/ a home visit

When discipline issues, lack of students’ interest and/or resistance to participate in or attend class persist talk to the parents (meeting is better than calling). Parents should understand the situation and be willing to coordinate with you.

Still, some of them may not accept the truth and get defensive. It is necessary, therefore, to provide evidence of the student’s misbehaviour and carelessness through, for instance, reports, regular records of the student’s achievements, etc.

Further, during such meetings, you can agree on a plan to improve the student’s attitudes. This can include a home visit where you surprise the student and show that you care a lot about him. The student will show you his room, and things he likes to do, and you will spend some time with his family. This will definitely have a positive impact on him.

 

Other logical classroom consequences

#Not bringing their school supplies

These students can borrow supplies from the teacher and then return at the end of the class. You can ask them to work or share with their classmates. Yet, do not deprive them of participating or doing tasks.

To help your students bring their school supplies, provide a checklist of the materials they need for each lesson and reward those who are always prepared for your lessons.

To learn how to organize your classroom supplies and help students return them read this post: 50 Tips, Tricks and Ideas for Classroom Supplies

When the issue is recurring a meeting with the parents is necessary.

#Packing before the bell

When you spot a student packing up early hold him back to be the last to leave the room.

#Cheating/ plagiarising

When the student cheats or plagiarises, he is trying to gain a grade based on work he has not done. So, giving him a zero is a logical classroom consequence.

To conclude,

In a classroom environment, misunderstandings, arguments and conflicts can lead to a rupture in the relationship between the teacher and students and among students themselves. Logical classroom consequences can help you repair and restore those connections you want to nurture because they aim to make a positive change in the way students behave.

So, make your relationship with your students a priority, use effective classroom consequences, reflect on your decisions and seek others’ help when you need it (colleagues, school support systems, parents). You will not just help students improve their behaviour, but they will also learn those life skills that build character and prepare them for making good decisions in the future.