Consistency is Key: 4 Tips to Ensure a Successful Learning Environment

I clearly recall being paddled in front of my entire 3rd grade class. I was an excellent student who always followed the rules, so

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Why/how could such a punishment be inflicted upon me?

The rule of the hour was that the next person who spoke a single word would get paddled. And guess what, the quietest kid in the class whispered for her tablemate to move his messy papers off her desk. Yep, it was me, and I deserved the pre-announced punishment.

In 2012, we all know it would be absolutely ridiculous to use corporal punishment as a means to punish a student for speaking in class. However, the lesson educators should learn from this situation is to follow through on ALL statements made and
maintain consistency in one's daily classroom policies and procedures to maintain classroom management.

In my first few years of teaching middle school, I was inconsistent and that's not what hormone raging middle schoolers need. One day I would follow the rules I posted on the wall in early August, another day I would make them up as I went along. Needless to say, I had a rough transition into teaching.

At least once a week I would shut my door and cry during my planning period wondering what I did wrong.

After teaching several years I began to realize, young people need structure. They may act as though they desire to be in control and make all of the rules, but whether you teach elementary, middle, of high school, consistency is key to a successful learning environment. 

For those teachers who are new to the profession or those struggling with consistency, here are some tips that are not only practical but can spare you from those planning period "meltdowns".

1. Create and post 3 simple classroom rules and follow them at all times. If a rule lends itself to be broken at any point, it doesn't need to be a rule.

2. Brainstorm and post reasonable consequences to your rules. The operative word here is reasonable. Threatening to paddle a student for disrespect or assign suspension for eating in class is too harsh. The punishment needs to fit the crime.

3. Follow the rules  for ALL students in ALL classes. Your 6th period seniors will give you weeks of grief if they find out you allowed the 1st period freshmen eat in class but you strictly forbid them to eat in class.
4. Adhere to the consequences for ALL students in ALL classes. Word will spread like wildfire if a student learns you called his mother for an infraction, but did not call another student's parent for the same infraction. Failing to do this will only weaken a teacher's credibility, which will only hurt that teacher as he tries to gain the trust of his students.

I always thought consistency in the classroom would be difficult since each student is an individual and each student deserves to be treated as such. Yes, students are individuals, but they desire to be treated the same. By following the above tips, you and your students will be able to create a community of learners where all rules and all members of the classroom are respected.

What do you do to maintain consistency in the classroom?

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