It pays to be consistent in the classroom. Learn how doing the same thing, day in and day out, pays dividends for you and your students.
What Does It Mean to Be Consistent?
Oxford Dictionary defines consistency as “conformity in the application of something…for the sake of logic, accuracy, or fairness.”
If you are consistent, then you are predictable to your students.
This is not a bad thing!
Consistency in teaching is a crucial way to build a positive learning environment.
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8 Benefits to Consistency in the Classroom
Consistency in teaching doesn’t mean you are boring; it means you and your students are experiencing these benefits.
Your Students Feel Secure
Do you like surprises? Most people don’t.
Students feel more comfortable and secure when they know what to expect.
Routines and predictability lower stress levels and produce a positive learning environment.
You Promote Fairness
When you are consistent with your expectations and classroom rules, you fairly apply positive and negative consequences.
This reduces accusations of bias or favoritism.
Consistency leads to transparency. You are entirely predictable in your actions; you treat all students fairly.
You Build Trust
It is essential that your students trust you. If you have that rapport, your students will open up to you and try harder for you.
Trust is built when you do what you say you’ll do. That’s consistency in a nutshell.
Students Learn Accountability
Actions lead to consequences.
When students can make that connection for themselves, they learn accountability.
When you consistently apply classroom rules, students will learn to connect their personal actions with consequences.
This encourages responsible behavior.
You Prioritize Learning
If you aren’t sure what to expect, you devote some mental energy to wondering, “What’s next?”
With predictable routines, students don’t waste time with worry and uncertainty.
As another plus, you won’t be peppered with questions about the schedule all day long!
This time saver allows you to devote more time to teaching and learning.
You Reduce Behavioral Problems
Students will repeatedly test your boundaries to find out exactly where those boundaries are and how you will react.
Clear articulation of classroom rules and expectations and consistency in applying consequences remove the repeated need to test you.
Once your students see that you are consistent in your rules and reactions, they will act out less.
Be matter-of-fact and consistent. This nips behavioral problems in the bud.
You Support Students with Special Needs
Students with special needs crave consistency. So do those with ADHD.
Predictable routines, well-defined rules, and consistent consequences provide students comfort and stability.
This allows students to focus on learning.
You Save Time
Consistency saves you time by eliminating the question, “What should I do?”
If you have a pre-established “this action leads to this consequence (positive or negative),” you can act immediately without second-guessing yourself.
You address the behavior and immediately move on.
This frees up time for you to put your focus where it should be–on teaching.
Why Consistency in Teaching Is Powerful
If you are consistent in your rules and routines, you will save time, prioritize learning, and create a stable and positive learning environment.
It turns out that being predictable is actually a good thing!
Leverage the power of consistency in your classroom today!