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I’ve written a lot about my belief in a positive, not punitive, classroom management strategy. You can read my books and The Best Posts On Classroom Management to get a better sense of how I practice what I preach.
I thought readers might find it helpful, though, if I pulled out many of my prior posts specifically on the typical ineffectiveness of punishment. Of course, there are some serious offenses that warrant it, and sometimes, when nothing else has seemed to work, I have asked students to help develop a “punishment” that they think would deter them from repeating an inappropriate behavior.
The vast majority of the time, however, I don’t find punishment to be particularly helpful to get what I want out of students, which is for them to behave as responsible members of a learning community.
Here are some resources explaining why that is the case (feel free to contribute more):
Punishing kids for lying just doesn’t work is from Science Daily.
“People who are angry pay more attention to rewards than threats” — No Kidding!
“Anger At Our Children” (Or Our Students)
Collective Punishment In The Classroom
Whenever You’re Tempted To Use Punishment As A Classroom Management Tool, Remember This Comic Strip
This Is What Students Learn When We Use Punishment As Our Classroom Management Strategy
Another Shocker – NOT! Students Respond Better To Support Than Threats
A Little Respect Can Go A Long Way In The Classroom
Being Reminded Of The Consequences Of Losing Self-Control Doesn’t Help; Asking About Goals Does
“Flowchart For When A Day Goes Bad In Classroom Management”
“The Darn Thing’s Not Working”
Keeping Our Eyes On The Wrong Prize
“Detentions make no difference, pupils claim”
Surprise, Surprise – Punishment May Not Be The Best Parenting (Or Teaching) Strategy
What If Everything You Knew About Disciplining Kids Was Wrong? is from Mother Jones.
Eureka Alert reports that “Adolescents focus on rewards and are less able to learn to avoid punishment or consider the consequences of alternative actions, finds a new UCL-led study.”
Child In Corner To Exact Revenge As Soon As He Gets Out https://t.co/gcgm6VnufF pic.twitter.com/UWJzm1A7xO
— The Onion (@TheOnion) January 8, 2016
New Study Finds That Punishment May Encourage The Behavior Being Targeted
Surprise – NOT! New Study Finds That Punishment May Not Promote Cooperation
YOU’RE UNLIKELY TO FIND MORE USEFUL ARTICLES TO HELP WITH STUDENT MOTIVATION THAN THESE TWO…
What ‘Go to Your Room’ Teaches Kids About Dealing With Emotions is from The Atlantic.
NEW REPORT SAYS CORPORAL PUNISHMENT DOESN’T WORK
BIG SURPRISE – NOT: STUDY FINDS PRAISE IS MORE EFFECTIVE THAN PUNISHMENT WITH CHILDREN
NEW STUDY FINDS THAT HAVING A HARSH PRINCIPAL DOESN’T HELP ANYBODY
A primary school in Greater Manchester is planning to fine parents if they’re late picking up children (30 minutes: £5): https://t.co/rSxwzntFKi. I’m guessing they don’t realize that “A fine is a price” https://t.co/ZnZGT1L3cL ($)
— Dylan Wiliam (@dylanwiliam) January 30, 2023
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