If you seek to cultivate a calm classroom, logical consequences are one way to get you there! I don’t always think of consequences when I dream of my ideal classroom. However, these procedures serve as the building blocks for a positive classroom environment.
Sarah Besand, a teacher and Possip Reporter, explains how logical consequences for student behavior can support a positive and calm classroom environment.
Let’s explore some frequently asked questions:
Teachers might be familiar with using consequences rather than punishments, but logical consequences go a step further. They provide us with an equitable response to student behavior that encourages student reflection. According to this blog, “Logical consequences are those that teach the possible outcomes of a behavior. These are the consequences that are imposed by teachers, parents, and other authority figures. For example, if a child refuses to wear his coat, he isn’t allowed to go outside and play with the other kids at the park.” The beauty of this process is it allows students the opportunity to reflect on their behavior with a consequence that aligns.
Additionally, logical consequences have the power to transform classroom culture. In a classroom where consequences (rather than punishments) are the norm, students have the opportunity to build trust with authority figures. Over time, they begin to grasp that every action has consequences–whether that’s a positive or negative one. This is essential to building life skills and for cultivating an environment that feels equitable and predictable for all learners.
What Are Age-Appropriate Logical Consequences?
To fully grasp the art of using logical consequences, we need to review some examples. In Recess, A Teacher’s Guide (insert recess blog link), Possip explains the importance of using consequences other than taking away student recess, and this information builds on this concept. You may be wondering: how can we align consequences with student behavior in a way that feels equitable? Here’s some examples for each school level.
