Essential 55 (part 2)

In the first set of the Essential 55 blog, I talked about rules 1-10 of Ron Clark's Essential 55. In this blog, I will discuss rules 11-20.

11. Surprise others by performing random acts of kindness:
I think that this is an important rule to establish in young children. People don't do things for others on a normal basis. Clark says, "Usually, if it isn't someone's birthday or a special occasion, people don't see a need to go out of their way to do something special for someone else." You can look around today and see that we live in a very selfish world. We are raised to fin for and only think about ourselves. This rule helps student's learn to think about other's and what would mean something to other people. 

12. When grading other student's papers, give only the correct grade:
In this rule, Clark talks about how if a student is grading a paper and gives the incorrect grade to another student, the amount differed will be taken form the grader's grade. He also discusses how there should only be X's on the paper, that way if he sees someone writing something more than an X that they are cheating. This rule makes sure that the students are honest.
Clark also discusses the fact that people don't like students grading other student's work, but how he goes about doing it. He does things such as giving quizzes over a topic, but leaving names off the papers. He then passes them out at random and has the students grade them. Then he only takes the scores as feedback. This way he gets the information that he needs without having to worry about student's privacy.

13. Follow along when we read together in class:
Reading together in class is a bore to most student's, but it's an important for their reading comprehension development. Clark has developed three simple strategies to keep student's on track.
1. "Read with force, energy, and expression."
This will keep student's into the reading and will help them read enthusiastically on their own.
2. "Select novels and readings that I think are enchanting, appealing, and full of intriguing characters."
Kids hardly ever seem to like reading, but they just may not be choosing books that will be able to capture a student and sucker him i to reading.
3."If I see a student's eyes not on the page...or if I call on a student to read and they don't know where we are, their name goes on the board." This keeps student's on track while reading.
I think these things are genius ways of making sure that student's stay on track with reading during the classroom and that they really work within the classroom.

14. Answer all written questions with a complete sentence:
I remember this rule from the moment I started school, and it still shocks me when high schoolers aren't able to write in complete sentences. Writing out complete sentences help comprehension and student's are able to pull their thoughts completely together. Clark says, "It helps them develop and organize their thoughts.." He also writes about how he co-teacher (who was over math and science) even used writing prompts in her classroom. As a future math teacher, I really liked this idea. I feel that if students are able to write out what the problem is asking and the steps taken to solve, then they completely understand the objective. I will definitely be using this idea in my future classroom.

15. Do not ask for a reward:
This is a hard idea, especially for kids, to grasp. In life, we see people getting stuff for doing something good and we just want the same in return. Clark states, "At work in the real world, rewards aren't always given to people for a job well done." This is something that everyone, including myself, needs to understand. I think learning this fact at a young age will help in the long run. We don't deserve a prize every time that we do something that we should already be doing, and we definitely shouldn't ask for a prize.

16. You must complete your homework every day:
This rule... I would not have been able to follow it. Heck, I'm even typing this blog 3 weeks later than I am supposed to be. This rule seems impossible, but I like the way Mr. Clark approaches it. He  creates a homework tally banner. The class keeps track of the days that all the students turn in the homework assigned on time. If this was used in my classroom, I sure as heck would be turning in my homework every single day. I would not want to be the one that makes the entire class lose the streak. This causes internal pressure as long as peer pressure. Though those things aren't seen as good things to have in a class room, this is used in a more positive way and I love this idea.

17. Subject transitions will be swift, quiet, and orderly:
People get so distracted now a days, they can't move from one thing to another without getting majorly distracted. Ron Clark says, "We could be so much more efficient if we could just stick to our goals, complete them, and then use the remaining time for our leisure activities." I personally am so guilty of this. I get sidetracked all the time. I feel like this habit could be kicked early on in life if we make younger students practice it.

18. Be as organized as possible:
Though I may not be good at time management, turning things in late and getting distracted easily, one thing that I for sure am is organized. If you ask me where something is, I will be immediately able to tell you where it is. Everything has a place and is in its place. Clark makes it a point to make sure that each of his students are as organized as possible because it will make life easier. He also says that we should model how we want our students to be organized, and that they will follow along. I think this is true because I learned my organization skills from watching my mom. One of the most important things a teacher can be is organized so that students will follow.

19. When homework is assigned, do not moan or complain:
Moaning and complaining when homework is assigned is second nature to most students. Clark makes a point that often time and energy is wasted complaining and putting off rather than just getting down and doing the job. I myself am guilty of doing this. To keep from the moaning and complaining, Mr. Clark says that there will be double the homework if anyone complains or moans. This reassures that there is no complaining.

20. When a substitute teacher is present, all class rules apply:
Many times students will see that there is a substitute and then throw all the rules out the window. They lie and want to slack off for the day and not live up to the teacher's standards. I really like a point that Clark makes when talking about this rule, he says, "I want them [his students] to be the type of individuals who will give a job 110 percent because they want to and not because they have to." Following the rules when a teacher isn't there shows the students' character. Learning to follow rules, even when the enforcer isn't present, will help the students become a more well rounded person in the real world.

The Essential 55

In class, I have started to read The Essential 55 by Ron Clark. These are 55 rules that Clark created and uses in the classroom. Some people might say that 55 rules is about 50 too many for a classroom, but Clark's reasoning behind each rule makes each rule count. For my next five blogs, I will be writing about what I am taking away from the book, what stuck out to me, and just my thoughts on the rules. Each blog will be about ten of the rules, so this blog will be about rules 1-10.


1. Responding to Adults:
 Clark goes over the importance of saying "Yes ma'am" or "No Sir" with his students. This is such a simple thing to do, but people rarely say it. Growing up in the south, I was raised to say those types of things because I was taught to respect people. Clark even says in his book, "It sets the tone for the type of respect I expect from my students." All the extra two words add is respect. Teaching kids to say "ma'am" and "sir" at a young age will take them a long way in life.

2. Making Eye Contact:
In my personal opinion, I think eye contact is so important! This is another way to show respect. When you make eye contact with someone while they are talking, it shows that they have your full attention. When you make eye contact with someone while you are talking, you will get your point across more clearly. As a teacher it is important to keep eye contact with your students. If you can see their eyes while you are teaching, you will be able to see if they are getting distracted/ day dreaming or actually paying attention in class.

3. Congratulating a Classmate:
Everyone loves being congratulated when they do something well, big or small. Clark even says,  "Anytime people are given praise and rewarded for their efforts they are going to do a better job." I definitely agree with this statement, when people know they are doing good, they keep trying just as hard to get that acknowledgement. Clark also includes that all applause should last at least three seconds at appropriate clap volume.

4. Respect other students' comments, opinions, and ideas:
We live in a world today that people shut people down so quickly and don't even listen to what they have to say. This in turn makes people belittle their thoughts and ideas. Those ideas could be the next greatest thing to sliced bread, but no one would know because they were raised in a world where ideas were dumb and pointless. Clark tries to make his students realize that each opinion matters. He  teaches his students to listen to what others have to say. This trains them for the future, and I personally think more people need this training.

5. If you win, do not brag; if you lose, do not show anger:
Mr. Clark makes a good point in this rule, he says, "If you are good at something others will recognize it. There is no need to tell others how talented you are, because by bragging about yourself, you are seen in a negative light, and people won't care about what skills you may have." Kids have a tendency to brag about the skills that they have, and then they are seen with a large ego. This rule helps teaches kids to be humble. It also teaches them to not be a sore loser and congratulate the winners.

6. If you are asked a question in conversation, ask a question in return:
This is a social skill that even some adults lack. When asked how you are, you should question them back. It is just the courteous thing to do. Clark says, "You are far more likable and respectful  when you are asking about the thoughts and opinions of others." Asking them back shows that you are interested in them and their thoughts.

7. Cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough and say excuse me:
To many people, this seems like such a common thing to do, but we have to be trained as kids. The best way to train them to do this is to make it a rule. Mr. Clark has a funny way of making them remember this rule. He tells them that there is an old superstition and it always makes them remember to cover, as well as say "God bless you."

8. Do not show disrespect with gestures:
By creating this rule, Clark saved time and energy. Instead of having to stop and tell students what they are doing wrong each time they tsk, roll their eyes, etc., he can just give a mark and the students automatically know what they did wrong.To practice this rule, he has the students role play. I think this is a genius way to have them practice. Sometimes students don't realize how often they are being disrespectful because it has just become second nature. Making the students realize that it isn't right, helps set them straight.

9. Always say thank you when you are given something:
This one once again seems like common sense, but people don't say thank you when given stuff. Clark really enforces this one with his students. In his book, he talks about how he has taken back things countless time because the students don't say thank you. The students think he's joking at first, but quickly realize that he is not. This makes the students more thankful (or at least seem like they are more thankful) for their stuff. I will definitely practice this in my future classroom.

10. When you receive something, do not insult the gift or the giver:
Children are always so blunt and honest, especially when it comes to getting gifts. They will immediately tell you if they like the gift or if they hate it. Teaching kids to be more appreciative about gifts is something that Clark is trying to instill in them.

Out of these first ten rules, you can see a common theme of seeming like common sense. Ron Clark is on a mission to help raise the next generation to be better than the last, and to complete that mission, he creates these rules. These set of rules will not only help them be successful in the classroom, but successful in life as well.