The Positive Aspects of Consequences Verses Punishments for Teachers

 Most people feel that consequences and punishments are the same thing. However, there is a key difference between the two. Punishments are a way for the teacher to release tension or frustration from a disruptive student. Where consequences are directly related to the rules provided ahead of time by the teacher.

Consequences are more reasonable and logical according to the classroom rules.

Most people use punishments to discipline their class rather than consequences. It is hard to not give in to your emotions and frustrations by responding to a negative action with punishment. Punishment focused more on "showing" who is in control, rather than teaching the student that the action was wrong. Due to the way punishment is usually carried out, children are left confused and unsure of their behavior and embarrassed. This could cause resentment toward the teacher and decrease the student's willingness to learn or do their best in class.

In my opinion consequences teach children to learn from their mistakes rather than making them suffer for their mistake. Consequences guide a child's behavior and help children learn about the results of their behavior.

Consequences are done in a calm tone of voice, with the focus on teaching not disciplining. I feel that consequences help to keep the lines of communication open between the student and the teacher. If a student and a teacher are going back and forth trying to have the last word no one wins. Consequences should be established and agreed upon by the students and the teacher in the beginning of the school year.

If they students are aware of the rules and expectations from the beginning they will most likely not be confused or question the actions of the teacher. The teacher's job is to make sure to always follow and enforce the rules they give to the class with all students. This is another way the students will feel that the consequences are fair and they wouldn't feel that they are being picked on. As long as the rules are laid out for the students to see ahead of time and the accurate consequences are enforced, the students will realize that the teacher is being fair. This makes it less subjective. Students will not feel like they are being embarrassed or picked on by the teacher or further hurt by a situation.

The teacher should provide positive consequences for the students that are doing well and following all the rules. This will positively enforce the rules set by the teacher for the class by having the other students see someone receiving a positive consequence for their actions. Positive consequences are just as important as negative consequences. Students should be rewarded with positive feedback or encouragement when providing a correct answer or doing well on an in class assignment.

Overall, Consequences are better, more efficient, and more effective in a classroom setting than punishments. Have a set list of rules provided by teacher in the beginning of the year and agreed upon by the students. This can only work if the teacher enforces the consequences for all students all the time.

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