Rules / Consequences / Procedures

Are you ready? They are coming... is this the frantic rush before the storm or the calm before the dawn? Remember, it really is your choice. You make your choice by the amount and type of preparation made before the students arrive.

Here are 3 things that must be in place before the students walk through your door.

1) Proactive Rules should be well thought out and follow these guidelines:

• No more than 5 rules. First rule is a compliance rule (Follow directions immediately) rule 2 is an on-task rule (eyes and ears on teacher or task), rule 3 is an interacting with others rule (keep feet, hands, and other objects to self).


• The first 3 rules should be common throughout the school


• Keep the wording short/simple/start


• Keep the rule wording specific, measurable, observable


• Prominently post your rules

2) Proactive Consequences should also be well thought out. Keep the following in mind:

• Consequences must fit the philosophy or guidelines of the school-wide discipline plan.


• Think through your consequences - are they enforeable?


• Are your consequences structured in a logical sequence of severity? I like to structure consequences into a logical sequence for removing a student with a severe clause to immediately remove a student.

3) Proactive Procedures should follow these guidelines

• Think of all the procedural situations encountered in the students' school day.


• Break down these procedural situations into specific, measureable, observable steps.


• Keep your procedural steps to 5 or less.

4) First two weeks of school

• Teach your rules, consequences and procedures as well as you would a content lesson.


• Practice, practice, practice your rules, consequences, procedures!

5) The rest of the year

• Review your rules, consequences, procedures frequently.


• Re-teach your rules, consequences and procedures after every school break.


• Use natural positive reinforcement to increase rule and procedure compliance.

Have fun! Visit our website to get information for upcoming workshops from The Principal's Office.

See you soon!

Dr. Brian