Negative Consequences
Imagine the every day, as you come into school, you enter through the left door. One day, your principal meets you at the entrance and hands you a written notice of suspension because you have repeatedly disregarded the directive to use the door on the right. Does this consequence seem unfair and overly harsh? Would you have complied with the directive had you known about it? Should you have been given an opportunity to correct your behavior before the consequence was given? Of course. When administering negative consequences in your classroom, think about this anecdote, and ask yourself if it’s possible some of your students may be in a similar position. Below are suggestions for administering negative consequences that will not only reduce the likelihood they are seen as unfair and unjust but will also increase their effectiveness.