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Summary: Teachers and Parents Must Own This.
Review: All teachers and parents should own a copy of this wonderful book. The 55 rules and guidelines layed out are witty, meaningful, and practical for both adults and students. Additionally, Ron Clark shares stories of his personal experiences, which gives meaning to each of his rules. This book made me cry, laugh and inspired me to continue to give back in this world. I loved The Essential 55 as much as Emotionally Charged Learning by Eric Schiffer. They make great gifts for every teacher, leader and parent you know personally. After reading this book, you will get why Mr. Clark is an award-winning educator. You will also be motivated to go the extra mile for children as I am now committed to do.
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Summary: A Critical Eye Gives It A Critical Look
Review: I just finished this book. Wow!!! What a marvelous understanding of what it takes to make students reach the potential that is possible within them. I stack this book up with with Bestseller Emotionally Charged Learning by Eric Schiffer as a masterpiece in learning. I respect the insights that Clark gives educators on how to parse what really work from the "theory's" out there and give students what they really need. I recommend this book to both parents and educators.
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Summary: Re: Not for Secondary Teachers
Review: I would have to agree with Robin. The book may not be the best book for secondary teachers. However, I teach Special Education at the high school level and plan on using some of the rules in this book as part of my Life Skills curriculum. These are rules that students need to know to be successful in adult life. I agree, that some of the rules should be taught by parents, but unfortunately we can not assume this will be done by them. This book is also not for teachers who teach in an atmosphere of little support by adminstrators. Ron, is lucky to have his administrator supporting him in his rules. I am not so sure this would happen in all districts. Parents who complain usually win. Also, I agree that this book is best for those without their own family commitments. The other problem that I have is the financial costs connected with some of these rules. I, for one, spend a lot of my own money on just getting supplies for my room, let alone spending additional monies to entertain students on week-long trips.
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Summary: Essential 55 Review
Review: As a mom of two and a person pursuing a degree in Elementary Education, I can not give this book enough praise! Parts of it moved me to tears. My 7-year-old son was so intrigued by what I was telling him about this teacher's concepts that he actually took the book from me and read parts of it himself. I am going to buy another copy to circulate around his school/teachers this Fall. A must-read for educators and parents alike!
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Summary: Not for secondary teachers
Review: As a classroom teacher of 9th graders, I always look for refreshment and rejuvenation during the summer months in order to prepare for a new school year. Unfortunately, I made the mistake of picking this book. After waiting several weeks for delivery, I was so disappointed to find that the book is really for teachers of elementary kids... like so many other "teacher" books and materials. It's as if secondary kids have the plague. The book is also for teachers who don't have families or any other kind of life outside the classroom. Ron Clark is very into being a teacher, which is a good thing. But he assumes too much. For example, some teachers aren't allowed to assign detention, one of his punishment suggestions. Also, homebaked treats (yes, this man found time to bake for his students) aren't allowed to be served to students in my district any more. It's against health regulations. Rules for field trips? Who has enough money for field trips? And frankly, the instruction of many of his "essential 55 rules" is the responsibility of parents, not educators. Granted, part of the problem in education today is lack of parental involvement, but that's bringing up another issue for another book. As a grammar teacher, I was also disappointed in the many grammatical errors in the book. In conclusion, I plan to give my copy of this book to a brand new teacher who might find it useful. It's definitely not for veterans. And just so you don't think I'm some kind of crusty old "needed to retire a long time ago" sour grapes teacher, I too am an award-winning teacher with a master's degree and Southern manners.
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Summary: Part of what should be taught in all schools
Review: "The Essential 55: An Award-Winning Educator's Rules for Discovering the Successful Student in Every Child" is a collection of Ron Clark's 55 rules that he uses every day in his teaching career. Why should his rules matter? Well for one thing he has won the Disney Teacher of the Year Award as a top educator in the United States. Ron Clark attributes much of his success to making sure that the students follow the 55 rules. Many of these rules are common courtesies; others are good manners, ethics, or even good hygiene. These may seem simple but people react to you differently when you display good manners and this positive feedback creates a better self-image and other positive side effects. These are not just rules for children and students but should be followed by everyone including adults. The rules are also applicable to a wide variety of adult situations. Use the rules at home with your child and help him or her to mature with good manners and develop a positive view of life that will follow them everywhere. "The Essential 55" is a highly recommended read for everyone.
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Summary: Not JustTo Motivate Kids
Review: What a terrific simple back to basic life concept. Ron covers many areas that are often overlooked by parents, teachers and everyone everyday. Whether it's a mom, dad, salesclerk, CEO or VP, his rules can be used for everyone. My husband enjoyed the book and has suggested his employees to read it. If they have kids, great, but if they don't, he wants them to read it anyway. Having the experience of a teacher in today's classroom, sets the stage for what really goes on in class providing powerful content for doable solutions. His warm heart but yet smart outlook is no less greater than another book my husband and I both enjoyed which has the very same mood, tone and message as Mr. Clark's book. Mommy-CEO, by Jodie Lynn, (don't let the title fool you) is but yet another classic guide to every day life. As a former teacher, and now syndicated family columnist and author, she also has rules for the home, family, parenting, school success and like Mr. Clark, life in general. Both authors have put their expertise into long hours and hard work resulting in confronting real issues. People are always looking for an author who speaks from the heart to make changes happen in their lives. It's authors like these who help build success inside the home, inside the school and inside the soul, that has a lasting effect. There are lots of good books out today; only a few can really be shared and impact other difficult areas. These books have that staying power and both should be a must read for not only all teachers and parents, but should include everyone who wants to be successful with personal goals in life. Speaking out and pushing forward for more respect and responsibility in kids, is what really makes a difference in society. The words and sincere work of both authors are here to stay and hopefully will not only inspire success in students, but in our personal interactions with others as well. WAY TO GO!
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Summary: Finally
Review: I am a teacher and an aunt. Ron Clark's book is truly a gift to all of us in these or similar positions...that is those of us who have any part in raising or influincing a child. If you are in anyway an influence in a child's life, go get this book NOW! For nearly a decade now I have taught high school and find what every teacher finds lacking in a good number of his/her students: social skills, respect and manners. People have bemoaned this fact with statements like, "Kids just don't have respect anymore." Teachers have often ranted that parents are not teaching these skills and values to their kids and it is pushed on them to do it. And I know many of us who do try. We just don't always know where or how to start. Mr. Clark does not only address this issue publicly, but he also does something about it. His book is written in a systematic, straight-forward manner with pointed examples that not only exemplify his rules but often entertain. More importantly his book is cogent. He knows parents and teachers do not have an enormous amount of time to sit and read a novel full of fluff and advice. They need concrete tools and skills and they need them now. In short, what is most remarkable about his book is its aim. No more talking esoteric theory about society and child development. Here is the hands-on guide to doing something about it. Here is a reference we can hold in our hands in black and white. With the help garnered from Mr. Clark's rules and insights we can all now start working on our greatest responsibility...and that is the nurturing and developing of our children and students into the responsible, respectful, humanity-concious, global citizens that they need and deserve to become.
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Summary: passing the rules along
Review: A friend of mine showed my this book and I was so impressed that now I'm ordering it for my daughter who will be a teacher in another year ... I must say that I'm encouraged with all the reviews so far ... especially the ones that come from teachers ... I went to a Catholic school in the fifties and my parents were told what was expected of their children before school started ... Mr Clark seems to have done one better in making the students aware of what is expected of them ... and what the students can expect of him in this era when both parents work or children are raised by a single parent, it is not always easy to ensure that our children behave correctly when we are not present ... peer pressure and outside influences will affect children no matter how we've brought them up to behave it is also a good idea to prepare our children for what will happen to them for life outside the classroom, and Mr Clark's practical application of his rules certainly can only help to re-inforce any parental or societal rules that are necessary as a personal note to "dangerous and regressive" ... you need to get real ... it doesnt sound like you've had actual experience with (1) children or (2) students ... you're like a big balloon with a bunch of theories (gas) ... but pop the balloon and, well, you are what is left
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Summary: GREAT FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS AND ALL TEACHERS!!
Review: No book I read or lessons I learned in college helped prepare me for what the classroom was going to be like. If I had this book back then, I know my first year would not have been so difficult. I have now learned many of the things Mr. Clark writes of, but the way he looks at situations and the creative advice he has for dealing with students is priceless. He basically lists his 55 rules and then he explains why each one is important, how to teach it to kids and he offers great stories of his time in the classroom to go along with most rules. It was a quick read and I enjoyed it thoroughly. I have been in the classroom 5 years, but this coming year I will be taking a new perspective...and 55 essentials...along with me.
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