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The Essential 55: An Award-Winning Educator's Rules For Discovering the Successful Student in Every Child Paperback – July 21, 2004
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The runaway bestseller that's a must-have for every parent and teacher. How many authors would travel coast to coast on a bus to get their book into as many hands as possible? Not many. But that's just what Ron Clark, author of The Essential 55, did to keep his book and message in the public eye. And it worked. After his Oprah appearance, sales skyrocketed: we've sold more than 850,000 copies in six months! The book sat tenaciously on the New York Times bestseller list for 11 weeks. Ron Clark was featured on the Today show, and in the Chicago Tribune, Good Housekeeping, and the New York Daily News -- not to mention the calls we've received from teachers and parents who want to get their hands on Ron's guidelines for teaching children.
Now in paperback, The Essential 55 will be the perfect book for parents and teachers to slip into their own backpacks, to read on the train or at lunch, and to highlight the sections that resonate for them. And with an author who is truly a partner in getting his message to the masses, we just can't lose.
- Print length224 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Grade level8 and up
- Dimensions5 x 7.5 inches
- PublisherHyperion
- Publication dateJuly 21, 2004
- ISBN-100786888164
- ISBN-13978-0786888160
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Product details
- Publisher : Hyperion; Reprint edition (July 21, 2004)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 224 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0786888164
- ISBN-13 : 978-0786888160
- Reading age : 3 - 11 years, from customers
- Grade level : 8 and up
- Item Weight : 6.4 ounces
- Dimensions : 5 x 7.5 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #844,993 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #610 in Parent Participation in Education (Books)
- #8,452 in Instruction Methods
- #67,691 in Reference (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
Ron Clark has been a teacher since 1995. Originally from North Carolina, he has taught in some of the most difficult schools in the country, most recently in Harlem, New York. Since winning the 2001 Disney Teacher of the Year Award, Clark has spoken to teachers, PTAs, and school boards across the country. He lives in Atlanta.
Customer reviews
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To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book provides useful insights for teachers. They describe it as an excellent read with simple, understandable suggestions for classroom management. The humor and memory retention are appreciated by readers. However, opinions differ on the story quality - some find it engaging and encouraging, while others consider it unrealistic.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book provides useful information and ideas for new teachers. They say it's a good book with great information and procedures for effective classroom life. The explanations, examples, and stories are appreciated by readers. Overall, they describe the book as inspiring and helpful for schools and educators.
"The book is cute and inspirational." Read more
"...Mr. Clark handled his students with constructive and consistent discipline. I know that my sister-in-law will benefit from this book...." Read more
"...It holds many wonderful ideas that are necessary to make a strong academic environment while not losing the humanity of the social aspect of..." Read more
"...The rules are reachable , reasonable, and teachable! Thank you so much! I would love to meet the author and observe teachers at his school." Read more
Customers find the book easy to read and engaging. They find it well-written and informative, describing it as a breath of fresh air for teachers. The real-life examples are appreciated by readers.
"...Hat's off to Mr. Clark for an excellent read!" Read more
"This is better than Wong's First Day of School! It is written for elementary school, but is easily applicable to secondary school as well...." Read more
"Excellent reading and practice exercises." Read more
"Great book." Read more
Customers find the suggestions in the book simple and easy to understand. They appreciate the practical guidelines for classroom management, including praise, discipline, and creative communication. The rules are explained clearly and help tremendously.
"...These skills seem very simple: saying please and thank you, "ma'am" and "sir," looking people in the eye, smiling, returning a question for a..." Read more
"...It's similar in some ways to _Teach Like a Champion_ but much easier to implement easily and without the practice and extensive extra effort..." Read more
"Lots of great information and procedures! I loved how specific he was and actual scenarios for each tip...." Read more
"The way the rules are explained helps tremendously. Especially the no Doritos rule" Read more
Customers enjoy the humor in the book. They find it helpful for understanding the subject matter and find the author humorous.
"...and was also written with quite a bit of humor. Each idea carries you to the next idea.... It was a very enjoyable, and informative book." Read more
"...I read the original, it was great to refresh my memory and enjoy Ron’s humorous stories!" Read more
"I got some great strategies from this book, but it sometimes seemed pretty braggy, especially with the name-dropping...." Read more
"...I found this book to be inspiring and funny. I may be "sick and twisted", but it's always fun to learn about someone else's classroom horror stories...." Read more
Customers find the book a good reminder and refresher for teachers of all ages. They say it brings back fond memories and provides hope for future generations.
"As a former student of Mr. Clark, this book brought back so many fond memories and harsh realizations that I may need to polish my manners and..." Read more
"...in school, this book was a breath of fresh air and provides hope for future generations...." Read more
"...Although I read the original, it was great to refresh my memory and enjoy Ron’s humorous stories!" Read more
"Has good information for first time teachers and a reminder for us old timers! Great gift for new teachers and those who substitute." Read more
Customers have mixed views on the story quality. Some find it engaging and supportive of Mr. Clark's teaching style, drawing them into his classroom and showing real problems and students. Others feel the book is unrealistic and fantasy-like.
"...This book, hands down, has some great stories to back Mr. Clark's teaching style and philosophy's. This is a definite must read!" Read more
"...teacher in an urban school district, and this is probably the most unrealistic book I have ever read about teaching...." Read more
"...Well, as it turns out--plenty! In an engaging story-telling style, Mr. Clark draws you into his own classroom and shows you his real problems and..." Read more
"Ok got a little boring around rule 35. The concepts are great but not realistic if you have a family of your own." Read more
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An absolute masterpiece!
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2024The book is cute and inspirational.
- Reviewed in the United States on July 25, 2003I purchased this book as a gift for my sister-in-law, a 7th grade science teacher and swim coach. Mr. Clark was impressive on the Oprah show and I knew that my sister-in-law could benenfit from his teaching philosophy based on some of the horror stories she's told me. Curiosity got the best of me and I had to read the book myself...in one sitting! I found myself becoming embarrassed at some of the things I was guilty of doing myself as a student. I came to realize that I did these things in boredom and because my teachers/professors rarely won my trust and respect. Regardless of the situation, Mr. Clark handled his students with constructive and consistent discipline. I know that my sister-in-law will benefit from this book. I realize that a child's behavioral problems often stem from the home environment. In fact, I'm surprised that more teachers haven't put this on the school supply list...for the parents to read!
As an engineer by trade, I realized that this book is not just for the teacher, it's for everyone. Professionals in my organization haven't learned some of the basic etiquette rules from "The Essential 55." Personally, I have already benefitted from the rules, as I become more aware of my interactions with others. These are life's basic rules that we take for granted as a result of selfishness, and I hope that I can pass this wisdom on to my children.
Hat's off to Mr. Clark for an excellent read!
- Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2007This is better than Wong's First Day of School! It is written for elementary school, but is easily applicable to secondary school as well. It holds many wonderful ideas that are necessary to make a strong academic environment while not losing the humanity of the social aspect of school.
Some of the rules may seem a bit rudimentary, but, as a high school teacher, I see too many students that lack social graces and display anti-social behavior on a daily basis. That being said, I have incorporated many of the rules this year and can testify that they do work. Something as simple as a student saying "Yes, sir/ma'am" goes a long way. I work primarily with upper classmen and I have seen a real change since the beginning of the semester in January (review written in March). I have also encouraged many of my fellow teachers to use this in their classrooms of Freshmen and they have told me that the rules also work in their classrooms.
I would highly recommend this book for any teacher just starting out or a 20+ year veteran. This book reminds us of why we became teachers. It is written in such a way that is not condescending. It is very well organized and has a smooth delivery that draws the reader in.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2012I have been an ESL teacher for elementary, high school and university students for 11 years in Costa Rica. English classes are considered ¨specials¨ like art and music so the amount of time we get to spend with our students is very limited compared to the grade teacher. The grade teacher forms his or her own classroom rules and the ESL teacher has to struggle all year trying to get the students to behave and perform as they should. I have been researching for years for information or a guide book that will help me get through to my students. Most books I have read don't give clear examples or the ideas are very time consuming. I am a hardworking person who loves her job but adding more things to do to my already long list just doesn't work.
I just bought the kindle book today and I have read up to rule 15 and I am already LOVIN'IT and planning my moves for the 2012 term that starts in a few weeks. I have already shed some tears while reading the book; it is exactly what I needed. The rules are reachable , reasonable, and teachable! Thank you so much! I would love to meet the author and observe teachers at his school.
- Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2004This book is Ron Clark's story about how he "identified" the 55 essential skills to get along in life...with the students he was teaching. He then formulates these "rules" into his 55 Essential Rules, which he nails to the door of his classrom.
Some of the rules make perfect sense (e.g., speaking respectfully) and some even Clark acknowledges are ludicrous (e.g., no "orange" snack foods in class--which he is willing to remove and throw ostentatiously into the garbage basket). He seems not to group his skills and rules in any particular fashion, so "respect" does not preceed "caring," for instance.
These skills seem very simple: saying please and thank you, "ma'am" and "sir," looking people in the eye, smiling, returning a question for a question, not saying "hunh?", and so forth. Clark's accompanying workbook gives parents and teachers some specific methods for teaching these essential 55 skills.
The book requires no more than 1 hour reading. Curriculum implementation, however, is quite a challenge, and Clark underestimates the difficulty and complexity of the challenge. It is possible to stir up quite a hornet's nest with poor implementation. If the kids are not ready or prepared, they will experience a lot of what Clark does as a real challenge, and they will either resent the teacher or fight back. The Workbook (also sold on Amazon) may be helpful. Clark's book on the 11 essential qualities of a teacher is less helpful than this book.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2024Got it for gift to new teacher.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2024Excellent reading and practice exercises.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2024Great book.
Top reviews from other countries
- AayushiReviewed in India on February 20, 2023
2.0 out of 5 stars Not happy with the condition the book came in
The media could not be loaded.
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Marcelo Guimaraes VazReviewed in Brazil on January 31, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars Ótimo Livro
As regras de Ron Clark abordam vários temas no cotidiano dos professores que valem muito serem lidas e aplicar no contexto educacional principalmente se você trabalhar na educação infantil, mas também serve para qualquer idade e o aprendizado é bastante enriquecedor. Recomendo a compra deste livro.
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Ralph SchwammReviewed in Germany on August 16, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars Dieses Buch ist jedem Lehrer zu empfehlen!
Ron Clark liefert klare und nachvollziehbare Regeln für den Unterricht und Erziehung. Dabei merkt man, dass sie von einer guten Erziehung und eigenen Erfahrung kommen, die er hier weitergibt.
Vor allem bereiten die Regeln die SuS auf respektvollen Umgang und Disziplin vor, die sie später im Berufsleben brauchen werden. Ich habe selbst den Großteil der Regeln jetzt vor im Unterricht zu testen...
- David ChampionReviewed in Canada on June 11, 2017
5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing book for all educators
The book is wonderful and so practical. I am using it already to help my students to learn. It is very exciting.
The company that I bought the book from were very slow. It took weeks to get the book. That was extremely disappointing
as I wanted to review the book in preparation of a visit to a school conference.
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hiroReviewed in Japan on August 28, 2019
5.0 out of 5 stars 読んでみるべき
普段の授業がこれで良いのかと感じた人は読んでみるべき。