On the Wall at recess

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Home : 2004 : December : 5

On the Wall at recess
By Iteach2nd

My problem with punishing children by taking away recess was this. Little Johnny is not raising his hand and yelling out. After several warnings he is still doing it, so now I tell him the punishment is time off at recess.
The same behavior continues so I tell him he now must stay longer in time out from recess. He spends time out at recess, we come in and begin a new lesson and the first thing little Johnny does is yell out with out raising his hand. Punishment has not changed his behavior. This poor child is on the wall at recess day after day after day for the same reason. Consequences and punishment

are only effective if they change the inapropriate behavior. I took away recess time when I began teaching because that is what the other teachers at my school did and I thought they were seasoned teachers who knew this punishment worked through their experience. Wow! I was wrong! They *itch about their Little Johnnys all the time, and how awful they are, even refering to them as "Bad Kids" and how they can't wait for Christmas break to get here etc,etc,etc... While I can walk around with a smile on my face and enjoy working with the children I teach. Yes, definately if it works for you and you do see a CHANGE in behavior put your little Johnny on the wall at recess, but if its not working and you find yourself stressed over behavior problems and counting the days until summer, than check into the responsive classroom info that Kerry, AmberM and myself have benefited from and start over after the holidays with a new method and positive mindset that will quickly enhance your classroom and let you enjoy your job!