How to Stay Consistent with Consequences

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Imagine this. You're in the middle of teaching a lesson to your class. Your students are all gathered on the carpet, and you're making an anchor chart. A few students start chattering. It's not that big of an interruption so you give them a reminder and try to move on. It doesn't work, and the chatter begins to spread. Palm to the face. You should've just given a consequence, now it will seem unfair to give different others a consequence when you already overlooked it once before. What's the solution? Well the solution is to be consistent with your consequences. EVERY SINGLE TIME A RULE IS BROKEN. How can you achieve consistency? Well let's go over a few ideas.

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It's draining to deal with behavior when you have to stop and think of a consequence right on the spot. It would almost be easier to let the misbehavior go and silently move on. DO NOT do this. The misbehavior will then spread and students may infer you aren't serious about your classroom rules. Instead, teach the consequences and have them predetermined so every time a rule is broken EVERYONE knows (you and students) exactly what the consequence will be. Need ideas? Click here to see my consequences.

Effective Classroom Management: Establishing Clear Rules and Consequences for Student Success

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When introducing a classroom management system, you must have a plan in place. Students are made aware of the classroom rules and consequences. You have predetermined consequences and students know the expectation when they receive a consequence. This is how you are able to be consistent. With clear rules and consequences everyone is on the same page. Think of your classroom management system as something totally separate from you. You are simply the referee and delivering a consequence is nothing personal.

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The student is the one that makes the choice (knowing full well what the consequences will be ahead of time.) Let them make their choice and then feel the weight of the consequence. Teachers feel eased because once the system is taught then it runs by itself. Students are held accountable for their actions. These consequences are also structured to provide students breaks. They might have broken a rule due to being overstimulated and a break is really what they need so that they could return to the learning environment ready to learn and listen.

A student might enter your classroom not having any experience or help with regulating their behavior. And YOU have the opportunity to teach them learn how!

So a student broke a rule? They get a consequence for their choice but then THEY CAN IMPROVE. You are teaching them about having a growth mindset. A student might enter your classroom not having any experience or help with regulating their behavior. Students that struggle with dysregulation thrive in classrooms that provide them consistency and structure. You are capable of providing that with the set of consequences. The brain is moldable and can change. We are in charge of our choices, and we can choose what we do next. Create a culture of growth mindset in your classroom. Check out my growth mindset lessons for a place to start on this.

Fostering an Inclusive Learning Environment: Commitment to Classroom Management and Behavior Tracking

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The classroom needs to be a place that every student can learn. You, as the teacher, have the ability to provide an environment where all can learn.

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The classroom needs to be a place that every student can learn. You, as the teacher, have the ability to provide an environment where all can learn. Make a promise to your class when you introduce the management system that you will do your absolute best to protect their learning. In order to make sure students have that type of learning environment, you need to commit to your class that everytime a rule is broken, you will deliver the consequence. You might not be perfect at it, but you'll have a growth mindset and do your absolute best to enforce the management system.

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Now, you might be wondering - “How do I keep track of these consequences and behaviors??” Simple. A behavior tracker. This is a spreadsheet that includes your class list and then has boxes to check so that you can easily see where the student is in consequences. It is super easy to keep on a clipboard and readily accessible. I suggest laminating it and that makes it easy to be used every day. In my classroom management system, I have a simple tracker already made. All you have to do is add your students’ names.

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You can be consistent with your consequences by using predetermined consequences, making sure your students are aware of your classroom rules and consequences, then practicing (Practice makes perfect) delivering those consequences. Strive to be consistent. Being consistent builds respect and trust from your students. If you don't give a consequence when your best behaved student breaks a classroom rule (even a minor infraction) your students will notice and you will lose credibility and trust as the teacher. So try your best to be consistent with ALL students. Everyone is held to the same standard.

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