The goals for a Responsive Classroom teacher responding to rule breaking are to:

1.  Help students recognize, fix, and learn from their mistakes.

2.  Help students internalize the rules so they develop self-control.

3.  Maintain a safe and orderly classroom.

4.  Balance the needs of the group with the needs of each individual.

5.  Help students fix and maintain relationships when they hurt each other emotionally.

Logical Consequences are used in a Responsive Classroom in the spirit of helping children learn from their mistakes, rather than punishing them.  They help children regain self-control, reflect on their mistakes, and make amends for them.

Most, if not all, things in school can be viewed as a privilege.  It is a privilege for children to participate in Morning Meeting, use classroom materials, and be a part of a reading group.  If a child does not use these privileges responsibly, then a logical consequence is to take away that privilege temporarily, perhaps for the remainder of that activity or for a day.

The purpose of removing a privilege is not to punish a child, but to help her understand the connection between privileges and responsibilities.  Once a child shows they are ready to handle the responsibility, the privilege is returned.