Consequences in the Classroom

After the class has acknowledge the rules and procedures the next step is to announce the consequences of following and not following these agreed upon rules.  Consequences should be both positive and negative and established in the first week of class and addressed routinely and frequently over the class year.  Without consequences rules and procedures are meaningless and have no standing with the students.  Consequences must be used in an appropriate way with a mindset of enhancing the learning environment and maintaining and managing a successful classroom. 

Example of positive consequences:  Algebra 2 class of twenty students - Using the "I do it / We do it / You do it together / You do it alone" method, after  I do the example problems on the smart board the students are to work on three specific problems as a class for the We Do It part of the lesson.  Raising hands and participating quietly is crucial for a positive and productive learning environment for all students.  This part of the lesson requires me to remain in the front of the room and guide the students through the problems while having students interact to solve the problems.  Each student that raises their hand I will reply with verbal comments like: "Thank you for raising your hand and following the class rules, what is your question?", "Excellent choice being quiet and waiting to be called on 'students name' what do you think the next step is in solving this problem?".  Using non verbal responses by smiling at students working quietly and giving them a thumbs up when they are sitting quietly waiting for the class to finish as a whole is another way to respond to students in a positive and appreciative way.  For students that demonstrate an excellence of upholding the rules and procedures of the classroom I will send a note home to the parent(s) or guardian acknowledging the students excellent behavior and diligent work in the classroom. 

Example of negative consequences:  Algebra 2 class of twenty students - Using the "I do it / We do it / You do it together / You do it alone" method, while I am demonstrating the "I do it" part of the lesson a student is talking and disrupting the learning - first the student is met with concerned eye contact.  If the behavior continues I will use the students name remaining calm and positive with comments like: "Student name please respect the classroom rules and hold your conversation or comments for after class."; "Verbal warning Students name"; "Just a reminder to the class that being silent is necessary for all students learning, right Students name!".  I would monitor this student during the class time by keeping a close proximity having watchful eye (withitness).  If a student is unable to contain and control breaking the rules and procedures of the class I would initiate a three strike rule: three verbal warnings results in parent/guardian phone call or email. 

A coogle diagram of positive and negative consequences follows:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=100lwQqw-bu68gz4yBmyr6l8tkNxwcdNK

https://coggle.it/diagram/WgUvluojMQABDQqi/f57975feaf72fa3ecc475c43ee482a13341461d584cc4df65dc4a5ad91492f3a