The Essential 55: An Award-Winning Educator's Rules for Discovering the Successful Student in Every Child

This book was recommended to me, but I was skeptical because I teach high school science and it seems to be geared more toward elementary school. I actually, however, thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Mr. Clark writes in a way that is charming and light, but his words are also full of depth, emotion and passion. It is obvious why he won teaching awards, because he seems to do whatever it takes to reach his students. Honestly, this book and Mr. Clark's teaching techniques are better suited for elementary/middle school, but I still really was pleased with the book and I got several ideas that I plan to use in my classroom and in my interactions with my students' parents in the fall. I would also give anything if everyone of my students' parents could be made to read the section about how parents should treat teachers!! AMEN Mr. Clark!!

After it's all said and done, I find simple is always better. In teaching students how to write, I try to get them to feel their heart and soul in a essay or story but to keep it pure and simple. This is what I have found to be true in Ron Clark's book. Loving, caring and making kids feel proud of who they are is one of the highlights in The Essential 55. It is not only for teachers but parents would benefit from it as well. It's easy to see why he won the Disney's American Teacher Award. Showing kids why or how they will be in certain situations and then clearly preparing them for a future under those upcoming circumstances is what most teachers try to accomplish but often times, miss the boat in connecting with the students. I find his work to be inspirational and warm. It makes all of us want to do better for kids and life in general. He chose to pick up the forgotten and encourage them to listen and be all they can be and even more. I read most of the time; it's my life. In looking at other authors and their success, it seems that they all have one thing in common, beleiving in themselves and sharing their passion to inspire others to beleive. Two of my other favorite and highly recommended books for teachers and parents are similar in passion and spirit about reaching out to kids: The Bully, the Bullied, and the Bystander, by Barbara Coloroso, 2003 (leaves no questions unanswered) and Mommy-CEO, updated book, 2001 by syndicated family columnist, Jodie Lynn (book is on family issues and school as an integral part). Every school library, city library, bookstore and every home should have all three books. Read them and you shall get answers that will behoove any current situation - in school or at home - and condition thinking patterns that need to be changed for kids and family from this day forward. THANKS TO ALL OF THE AUTHORS AND ONWARD for more books!

After reading several other books similar to Ron Clark's no other book gave me the knowledge I needed to help me in the classroom. The author uses many personal situations to explain 55 things that help him in the classroom. Not only is this a MUST READ for teachers, but will help anyone in their daily lives. GREAT BOOK and fun to read!

Manners, Respect and Discipline are the cornerstones of success in Ron Clark's classroom. In his first book, The Essential 55, he shares the secrets of that success. Disney Teacher of the Year, Ron Clark has the uncanny ability to instill fun and adventure into every learning opportunity. Daily he shares with his students an unbridled curiosity about the world! However at the start of their journey together, Ron conveys to the class the 55 essential expectations that he has for them. For example, he instructs them in how to give a firm handshake, look people in the eye, and eat properly using the rules of etiquette. His classes learn to respect themselves and others. Chart busting academic scores have been the result for his classes of low performing students from North Carolina to New York City. In The Essential 55 Mr. Clark provides guidelines for living both inside and outside the classroom. He exhorts young and old alike to embrace each day with heart and vigor, appreciate and encourage others and challenge themselves to achieve their potential. Read how Ron Clark convinces his students to seek lives of abundant adventure and fulfillment. I highly recommend this extraordinary book!

Ron Clark teaches school. He has 55 rules of "engagement" for anything from good manners (Don't take the largest piece of pie, Always say Thank-You, Make Eye Contact) to rules of responsibility and deportment (Enter the field trip building silently, Do not talk in the movies, unwrap your candy before the film to keep from disturbing others.)These rules teach his students to be polite and attentive, to understand if they don't hand in assignments, there will be consequences (even if the assignment is just a little blue card they have to return to him the next day.) But Ron is no martinet--he has weird rules (No Doritos, just because...and a funny story to make the rule amusing.) His War of the Onions against a sadly jealous fellow teacher is both hysterically funny and touching.Ron Clark shows the world that kids anywhere can learn to be well-brought up and polite, that manners and rules help them succeed. He makes the very important point that a teacher is an important influence since he or she is with those kids for more time during the day than the parents. This book is fun to read and is a great story. It is also a MUST-READ for any school teacher who wants to excel with their students and give them something of tremendous value to carry them through the rest of their lives with honor and grace--good manners and good behavior. Bravo, Ron Clark!