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.
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