Rating: 
Summary: Teaching Through Punishment?
Review: As a parent, teacher, and past administrator with a Ph.D. in education, I recently made the mistake of purchasing this book for my preadolescent. She pointed out some disturbing aspects of the book that need mentioning. First of all, there is some good advice about manners and appropriate behavior. There are also some heartwarming teacher stories. But mostly the book dwells on such rigid strictness to following rules that it is frightening that so many applaud this book. Case in point. My heart went out to the girl mentioned in the book who won a set of books for a high test score she achieved in Mr. Clark's class, but lost the books because she was so excited she forgot to say thank you within three seconds. In addition, Mr. Clark Disney award winner that he is (Disney's Hyperion Press published the book), should be professionally reprimanded himself for unethical behavior. He admits intentionally lying to a parent, telling her that her child has wonderful behavior just to win her over. Three days later he calls to tell her the truth , that the boy has quite the contrary, bad behavior. Of course, the parent, now won over yells for the kid to "get his butt over here..." It is sad to me that our country is overly concerned with accountability and less interested in creativity. Books like this stress harsh discipline as being a solution to our educational difficulties, when really we need ways to tap into student interest and improve school settings. May I suggest my favorite book, THE SCHOOLS OUR CHILDREN DESERVE, by Alfie Kohn. May I also suggest a 56th essential. Do not rely on books applauded by the New York Times and others. They are not always educators. Preview the book yourself before wasting your money!
Rating: 
Summary: It Works!
Review: One of the teachers I work with is teaching one of the essentials each week to his students. I have seen his class go from mass chaos to a "well run machine" over the course of the first semester. I also found it inspiring that a teacher had taken the effort to ensure that his studfents were prepared for the real world. It is a great book.
Rating: 
Summary: All hype, nothing solid
Review: As a well-seasoned teacher, I was excited when I heard about this book, thinking it would be a terrific way to get new teachers better prepared for their classroom. Instead, this book has less to do with actual teaching than it does with massaging the author's ego. It is amazing that at such a young age and low level of classroom experience that this fellow thinks so highly of himself and his techniques. Nearly all of his "essentials" deal with what should be taught in the home. Also, few, if any, of his "essentials" deal with the learning process, learning strategies, differentiated classroom, etc., and will serve to impede rather than empower students. Give this guy credit though, he had a great PR campaign behind him and achieved something that most teachers never do; make money.
Rating: 
Summary: A Must Have Teaching Book
Review: I have been working in the elementary school system, either as a teachers assistant, afterschool tutor, and student teacher, for two years. At the same time, I have seen the pitfalls of education. Many children are exposed to the unwonders of teaching including lectures and standardize testing. However, Ron Clark is a premiere example of transforming education as an enjoyable basis for all children to learn. He provides teaching strategies that will help all students succeed in school. Thus, "The Essential 55" is a tool for all educators to discover while in the classroom.
Rating:
Summary: Terrific book for teachers and parents
Review: I refer to this book in the classroom and recommend it to parents. It is a wonderful guide for life skills. I also suggest that parents and teachers get a copy of Optimal Thinking: How to be Your Best Self. Children, teachers and parents can all use Optimal Thinking to bring their best selves to every situation -- even the most difficult ones.
Rating:
Summary: Nice Supplement
Review: I have been using this book as a supplement in my classroom this year, and I have seen some really good results. After the first week, I dropped 8 of the rules and ended up to the point where I am only using 40, but the students have enjoyed learning the rules and they are now the most behaved class I have taught. (Note: This is only my 4th year, so that might not be saying a whole lot. -Nonetheless, the rules are working.)
Rating:
Summary: back to basics
Review: If you have kids in school, know any kids or know adults who act like children - get this book. There is no magic to respectfulness. It's clear that this teacher believes that the way to treating others with dignity is with manners. Some of the very practical down to earth steps clearly laid out in this book made me think that manners are more than soup spoons and holding the door for someone behind you. Courtesy is a strong method of demonstrating respect and opens a dialogue and relationship that will pave a more open path to an education.
Rating:
Summary: Clark Uber Alles
Review: In the process of doing research on American attitudes towards children, I came across this book. The book is so perfectly repellant that it serves as the apotheosis of the contempt American society has for its children. The one thing that rings clear from the pages is that the primary responsibility of educators is to teach discipline as opposed to analytic thought, which is anathema. Children and adolescents should all be deferential to authority at all times even when the sole basis of the submissive status is their age. Clark teaches that respect is to be dispensed compulsively without regard for whether it is deserved. Simply being in a position of authority is justification enough. It is important to note that Clark posits his list as rules - not guidelines - and as such they are to be obeyed to the letter especially in this age of zero tolerance. Rather than examine if our institutions are to blame for the boredom and apathy that is rampant in schools that are run more and more like prisons, the solution recommended is the easy fix - blame the kids. While some students might benefit this type of structured environment, others do not and there is absolutely no room for them in the program Clark advocates. Those who would be the most ostracized and abused would clearly be the most creative minds. The book is a recipe for the destruction of individuality and the stifling of creativity as it rallies for the advancement of mediocrity in the hopes of creating a race of dim witted and insipid people who crave passivity more than anything in the world (see most other reviewers). As "The Essential 55" catches on, expect to see a greater deterioration of our civil rights by our federal government with no response or protest by a populace that has learned not to challenge or question the validity of authority. The Hitler Youth schools followed these same rules and no doubt the Clark and his advocates who gave this book five stars, wax nostalgic about those good old days of fascism.
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Summary: Ron Clark is a master we can learn from
Review: What a fabulous book! I read it over the weekend and gave it to my daughter. Ron Clark's rules for guiding kids in the classroom and daily life is a godsend for parents, teachers and students. I also recommend a book written by Dr. Rosalene Glickman, a teacher too, called Optimal Thinking: How to Be Your Best Self. Optimal Thinking shows all of us how simple it is to bring our best self to every situation and make the most of it. Both of these books are top-notch.
Rating:
Summary: Great for teachers, good for parents too
Review: Sometimes poignant, often funny, always insightful, Ron Clark's The Essential 55 is a book I wish I had read before student teaching. Clark's rules may boil down to the Golden Rule, but he spells them out in a practical way and illustrates them with anecdotes that spice the account and keep you reading.
He explains each rule with personal background, reason, and a history of successes and the failures that led to the rule. Many of these rules are ones that parents should be teaching their children, such as table manners, saying thank you, washing their hands after using the rest room, but others give young people definite ways to build character, such as surprising others with acts of kindness.
Clark comes across as a dynamic and dedicated teacher. This book will help teachers improve their performance and help parents develop character in their kids. It should be required reading for all prospective teachers. We are including this on our Christmas list for my dad who is a school board member, and my sons who are future parents. As a former homeschooler, I recommend this to other homeschoolers.
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