I’m working on implementing more natural consequences in my classroom. I’m not too great at this. The consequences normally are losing Dojo Points, which is effective for the most part. I think a natural consequence would be more effective, however.
Here are some natural consequences I’ve given out. Side note: I’m new at this so, if it isn’t a true natural consequence, I’m trying my best haha.
A child decided it would be funny to turn off the power strip while two of my kids was on the computer for her math free choice time. (If they finish their assigned work, they get to pick a math center, computers is one of them.) By the time the computers reboot, we were out of time. His consequence, he lost his assigned computer time tomorrow (They spend 15 minutes on the computer during reading to listen to reading). The two children he turned it off on, get to use his computer time to make up their free time missed (there’s always an open computer during reading time).
My classroom is fully flexible seating. I’ll have to blog about that later. My class gets the privilege of choosing their seat every day. They pick a seat that they think will work for them. A few of my friends are having a hard time picking a productive seat. They pick a seat that is by their friend and talk all day, they end up being moved the first 15 minutes of the day. The friends having a hard time picking seats, have lost the privilege of picking their seat. I choose their seat each morning or they don’t move, usually they don’t move. When they are able to make good choices in the seat I choose, they will get to pick their seat again.
That is a few of the natural consequences I have given in my class this week. Do you use natural consequences in your classroom? Do you find them more effective than other consequences?
Confessions of a Real Teacher 
I think those are great natural consequences. I’ve been teaching for 36 years and use both of those, so keep on going!
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Classroom communities are such complex places, aren’t they? I’ve been a teacher since 2001 and have taught different grade levels. Currently, I teach 3rd grade. In the past, I used clip charts and Class Dojo to try to manage behavior. I’ve evolved to not use any particular system and instead want to teach students appropriate behavior instead of rewarding them or punishing them. It’s harder, I think, than simply moving a clip or taking away a dojo point. What I found was certain children were always the ones getting their clip moved or points taken away. And I wasn’t really teaching them anything but taking away the points. I have these Stop and Think cards in my classroom now. The idea is to silently hand it to a student when he/she is not following a rule. A second Stop and Think card results in the student leaving what we are doing to fill out a reflection form about why they were given the cards and how they will change their behavior going forward. It’s not perfect but I feel like it makes them think about their actions more. My problem is consistency with it! Good luck with the natural consequences!
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I love that idea!!! Thank you for sharing.
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I think you are on the right track – natural consequences is what happens to all of us in the real world when we make a poor choice.
I found that the clip chart in my classroom became a way for other kids to track the “bad kids'” behavior. My most intense students needed clear redirection and an opportunity to fix their mistakes.
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Natural consequences are a part of life. I love that you are tying them to the situation and making them as real as you can for the environment and situation.
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