LOGICAL CONSEQUENCES

Logical Consequences
When a student is disrespectful or breaks a rule, the “punishment should fit the crime.” Logical
consequences come in three forms: time-out, loss of privilege, and break-it fix-it. During a time-
out a student is sent to a designated area in the classroom free of distraction to recollect
control over his/her body and thoughts. After time-out, teachers should check in with the
student so that s/he may talk about what went wrong and how s/he feels. A loss of privilege is a
loss of a responsibility that a student abused or neglected. For example, if a student abused
bathroom breaks, the student may lose the privilege of going to the bathroom unaccompanied.
Break-it fix-it comes in the form of a verbal apology or an apology of action. An apology of
action may include a written letter of apology or helping to fix/replace something that was
literally broken.

In my classroom
Time-out or “taking a break” can be useful for kindergarten through fifth grade. Properly modeled and
explained, students will understand that time-out is meant to help students, not hurt or shame them. In
middle school, logical consequences will more likely be a loss of privilege or break-it fix-it.

Logical Consequence Artifacts

A poster that visually shows the types of logical consequences
 LOGICAL CONSEQUENCES

A picture that can be displayed in the time-out (break) area

Teaching Children to Care

Section II, chapters six through nine detail logical consequences and how to implement them