Making Amends in the Classroom

In my class, the consequence for breaking a rule involves a process we call “responsibility, remorse, repair.”

A child takes responsibility by admitting she made a mistake, and shows remorse by writing about what she did and what choices she might make in the future. Then we discuss how she can “repair” the situation. If her behavior disrupted a lesson, for instance, she might give time back to the class by forgoing recess to set up for the next lesson.

Young students can be allowed to express themselves verbally, but by third grade they should be able to do so in writing.

This article comes from the April/May 2006 issue of ADDitude.

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