Rules, Consequences, and Rewards

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A detailed classroom management plan outlines rules, consequences, and rewards for the students.

Students actively participate when they know what is expected of them in the classroom.

Students get upset when they feel rules and consequences are arbitrarily enforced.

First Day of Class

It is best to explain the rules, consequences, and rewards on the first day of class.

If the students are mature enough, ask them to create their own rules for the classroom.

Rules should always be positively worded to encourage positive behavior.

Example of Rules, Consequences, and Rewards

This is an example of the rules, consequences, and rewards I used in a university ESL course in China.

Rules

• Use English to communicate
• Be on time to class
• Keep cell phones on silent mode
• Be respectful when others are speaking
• Participate actively in class

Consequences  

• Name on board: Warning
• Check next to name: Lose three participation points
• Two checks next to name: Lose five participation points, and write an apology to the class (100-200 words). The apology will be presented at the beginning of the next class.
• Three checks next to name: Lose ALL participation points, write an apology to the class (100-200 words), and leave the class for the remainder of the lesson.

Rewards

• Students are praised for good behavior and participation in class. 
• Students receive a participation grade of 10 points for each class which affects their final grade. Students can see their participation grade at the end of each class.
• If the class has an average participation grade of 8.0 or higher for weeks 2, 3, and 4, then the class can have a Halloween party in the second half of the class of week 5. 
• If the class has an average participation grade of 8.0 or higher for weeks 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12, then the class can have a Christmas party in the second half of the class of week 13.

These rules, consequences, and reward may or may not work for you. It is best to design your own classroom management plan according to the needs of your course and students.