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Home : 2004 : November : 30

to Absolutely!
By Stacia

It depends on what the kid did, when they did it and why. I couldn't possibly list every single thing I do on this board. But if you want a specific scenario - give me one and I'll tell you what I have done or would do.
IF you want some background on the methodology I use - check out PUnished by Rewards by ALfie Kohn - that gives a 'big picture' of the kind of discipline I use, I also use alot of Stanely Greenspans work on challenging children and the five difficult temperaments - that has offered a tremendous amount of support and help as to understanding difficult children. I also use common sense

and have a thorough background in child development - to truly understand what stages children go through, and what is considered normal, etc.

I agree that kids need to know there are consequences for unfortunate choices. What that has to do with limiting recess for infractions outside of recess (misbehaviors that go on during the school day) - I have no idea. The consequence needs to suit the behavior.

In my 'real world' as an adult, I don't remember having to limit my recess because of something I did that was totally unrelated to my 'recess time'. I also don't remember any one as an adult, giving me a checkmark for inappropriate behavior - you can't get any further away from 'real world' than the check mark system.

I have to say, in all my years teaching, I have never had a horrible problem with discipline in my classroom, ever. Sure, I have had challenging children, but after the first month of school, we all know our boundaries and our place in the classroom. Discipline is never an issue for my classroom. If you have to institute a consequence more than a couple of times, the system isn't working. If the same kids, are getting the same checkmarks, and missing the same recess time, then why keep doing it?

I do agree that with the parental backgrounds like the ones you are talking about - these kids desparately need help and desparately need to know where their limits and boundaries are. So that's why the consequence needs to suit the behavior.