Submitted by Kristin Lukow, Nebraska

Idea posted September 27, 2002

My afternoon school uses this approach throughout the whole school. Teachers modify this with writing sheets, time out of recess, etc. But here are the basics:

Yellow = warning
You must stay after class and discuss your poor behavior with the teacher, and then return the yellow card.
Orange = automatic after school
3 yellows in the same day and you get an orange, and/or aggressive behaviors constitute an orange.
Red = principal's office
Threatening behaviors to other students and/or teachers. Call the parents and in-school suspension or full suspension.

Honestly... it doesn't affect my classroom very much. I have never gone past a yellow because I have 20- to 25-minute classes and there isn't as much time or opportunity to get in trouble with the active and happy atmosphere of music.