consequences

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Home : 2004 : November : 12

consequences
By Kristy

I think enforcing consequences is another alternative. You have already tried positive reinforcement, now try negative reinforcement. Ignore the fits - don't try to reason with the child or hear what they are saying. Just
say calmly "You are wasting my time. I am starting a timer. Whatever time you waste, you will be making up during recess (or gym, or computers, or at lumch, or after school, or whenever the child would rather be doing something else)". Do not go back on your word.
If the child is missing recess to finish up the work or make up the time, do not allow him or her to talk, look around,

throw a tantrum. If they don't do it right, try again the next recess...and the next...and the next, until they get it right.
I have seen teachers who keep students in at recess only to talk to them for the entire recess about why they acted that way and why that was wrong. That is no longer a consequence - it's a reward! The student now gets to spend the whole recess with the teacher's undivided attention.
I notice the words you used to describe the consequences of the students' behavior are positive. The student keeps behaving like this - barring any extreme mental/behavioral disorder - because it works. They are getting a reward from it in one way or another. You need to turn that positive into a NEGATIVE. It may be hard if the parents aren't consistent at home, but I have seen students who act one way at home and an ENTIRELY different way at school. It can work.
This is YOUR classroom. Get tough. You have rules and expectations and you should have consequences for behaviors that do not agree with the rules and expectations.