Chapter 11, Closing, and the Appendix of Ron Clark’s “The Excellent 11”

Clark is right, raising children is the greatest job a parent will ever have. Like parenthood, I do not expect teaching to be a walk down easy street. I know that teaching profession is full of constant challenges, but I like challenges, they drive me. Clark mentions the enthusiasm that new teacher have and how their eagerness soon burns out.   I already have this enthusiasm and I am not a teacher yet. As a teacher, I hope to be enthusiastic about teaching, always.  I am sure teaching will be like everything else in life, you just have to look on the bright side of things and forget about the rest. After all, the children are the most important thing, and that is something no teacher should never forget.

I am so glad Clark included so many useful things in the Appendix section of this book. I really love the lyrics to “The Presidents Rap” and “The States Rap.”  I like how he incorporated some important facts about several of the presidents into the song. I also like his website recommendations.

Ch 17 & the Epilogue of Rafe Esquith’s “Teach Kike Your Hair’s on Fire”

Reading this chapter takes me back to the drama class I had in high school. I wish my high school instructor had used the tactics that Esquith points out in this chapter. Play-acting can really make a positive impact on students, especially if you use the approaches that Esquith talks about. I really like the audio lessons that Esquith discusses. I think this would be one great way to prepare students to take the stage. Music and dance is a great way to put on easier programs, and the students get a great experience and accomplished feelings through these types of programs. I know with my own children, who are in kindergarten, walk away from a music and dance program with a lot of enthusiasm and high energy. This demonstrates that programs do make positive impacts.

Like Esquith, the thought of teaching overwhelms me, but I quickly put the thoughts of giving up away. I try not to focus on the downside of teacher’s jobs, but only on the reality of the outcome for the students. After all the students is my main focus and reasoning for becoming a teacher, and I hope to never lose sight of that. 

Ch 15-16 of Rafe Esquith’s “Teach Like Your Hair’s on Fire”

Reading this chapter makes me wonder if Rafe Esquith is stuck in the past. I think some of the rock groups Esquith chooses are a little extreme for middle school children. Even though, I like the older music he selects, I do not think I would use music by Green Day or Nirvana in a middle school classroom.

Like Esquith, I think it is great to introduce our next generation to charity work. Christmas is the easiest time of the year to get involved in some kind of charitable organization, and it is great that Esquith dedicates time to helping these associations. Generally, I help my church distribute food baskets around the holidays, and for the past few years, I have volunteered to ring the bell for the Salvation Army. This is not much, but I do take all of my children along to help deliver the food baskets. This year, my daughter, Megan and I are volunteering to ring the bell together. Megan is mature enough to really understanding the meaning of “giving back.” Teaching children to contribute to charities helps them understand generosity and compassion. Volunteering with aid organizations are one way that we can try to improve civilization.

Chapter 10 of Ron Clark’s “The Excellent 11”

Everybody wants to be appreciated, and everybody likes to feel appreciated.  Showing kids how you appreciate them goes a long way, but teaching children how to be appreciative of others, I believe, will go further with them in life. I like the way Clark explores how administrators can show appreciation for teachers. Everything he says about administrators giving unconditional support, not over loading, asking for ideas, being fair, being an example of you expectations, open-door policy, respecting teachers’ time, and handling disciplinary matters is great and relatable information.  I love the way Clark also adds appreciation given from teachers to administrators and from parents to the teachers. I always try to get a gift for my children’s teachers. I always give it to them and say, “this is just a little something for you, so you will know that we appreciate you and what you do for us.”  As I said in my first sentence, everybody wants to be appreciated. I cannot every remember hearing someone say, “I love to be taken advantage of.” or “I love being used by others and I hope no one ever appreciates me.”  

Ch 14 of Rafe Esquith’s “Teach Like Your Hair’s on Fire”

Going out on trips, does make thing exciting. Class trips should be fun but also beneficial. Like with the trip to the Titanic, we all see ways that this trip would be a great learning experience. Trips to Washington D.C. have become a tradition for Scott County’s high school and fro the elementary beta clubs. For an area like Scott County, finding funds for trips such as to Washington D.C. is hard, but I would not say impossible. Preparations make trips a success. I think all experiences in life changes lives. However, it does seem like the experiences of taking trips seem to stick the most, especially with children. My kids still take about thing we done on vacation when they was three.

Chapter 9 of Ron Clark’s “The Excellent 11”

I like organization, and I love the steps Clark recommends in order to help kids become organized. Organization will help student stay on track, and eliminate misplaced work. Clark says that first year teachers should not be given the most challenging classes. However, I see this happen all the time. I think this is one of the main reasons for new teachers to leave the carrier.  Like Clark points out, helping students to become organized, tips for keeping new teachers, and showing students how to study are all common sense. I also agree with what Clark says about “taking time will save time.”

Ch 13 of Rafe Esquith’s “Teach Like Your Hair’s on Fire”

Wow, Esquith points out some great movies. I am like him, I cannot watch movies that promote immoral actions, and I do not understand why any parent would let children watch movies like Freddy vs. Jason.  Of Mice and Men and It’s a Wonderful Life are two of my favorite movies. Movies are like literature, they both offer learning. Often teachers and parents can get children to engage learning with films, where as they cannot with books.

Ch 13 of Rafe Esquith’s “Teach Like Your Hair’s on Fire”

Wow, Esquith points out some great movies. I am like him, I cannot watch movies that promote immoral actions, and I do not understand why any parent would let children watch movies like Freddy vs. Jason.  Of Mice and Men and It’s a Wonderful Life are two of my favorite movies. Movies are like literature, they both offer learning. Often teachers and parents can get children to engage learning with films, where as they cannot with books.

Chapter 8 of Ron Clark’s “The Excellent 11”

As Clark says, laughter is a powerful, and teachers need to find ways to bring humor, laughter, and positive energy to their lessons. It does help children feel happy and energized.  As a parent, I have done this with chores and my own children. For example, my children have complained because I ask them to help me fold laundry. While starting to fold the cloths, I simply turned the TV to a music channel and started acting silly by singing, dancing, and cutting up. Quickly they join in with me and we get the laundry folded. They become so happy and energized that they will help tidy up the whole house without a fuss.  Everything in life has a positive side; we just need to find it. I enjoyed Clark’s stories about his mother and the chocolate bar and his friend covered in Thousand Island dressing. In both cases, he points out ways to find the humor in bad situation. All though I felt sorry for Carolyn, for she was just a second grader who did not understand how to find humor in her sister eating the chocolate bar and lying about it.

Ch 11 & 12 of Rafe Esquith’s “Teach Like Your Hair’s on Fire”

The title of this chapter, Taxman, did not impress me, when I first read it. After reading this chapter, I am impressed by Esquith’s activities. Having students apply for and perform classroom jobs is an amazing idea. I am familiar with some other class activities that make students think about how our economical system works, but they are not like this one. Esquith’s activity is something I would like to incorporate into my own classroom someday. Students who learn about our economical system, banking, ownership, saving, and spending have an opportunity to develop skills in finances that will help them throughout life. 

I have always liked math. In grade school, my math teachers would assign the last few problems of a section as extra credit. The last few problems were usually word problems. Most of my classmates did not attempt them, but I remember enjoying doing them. I am good at understanding them and choosing appropriate approaches. I like the problems that are better understood by drawing a picture, working backwards, guessing and checking, looking for pattern, and making a chart. Basically, I like them all.  I guess that is why I enjoyed this chapter.  I am going to check out the Wed site that Esquith mentions.

Chapter 7 of Ron Clark’s “The Excellent 11”

I like Clarks view on experience leads to confidence, and I like his example about restaurant experience.  As Clark points out, with every opportunity students have to succeed they gain confidence, which leads to greater success. Preparation is a crucial key to success, and success leads to confidence. I can think of numerous times when I have devoted my time and myself to studying, and with every good grade I made, I succeeded. I would not be in the position that I am in today without preparation or success, and I am confident in myself for my accomplishments. Like Clark, I think children need to see their work or accomplishments displayed in the hall, on the door, on bulletin boards, or in the classroom. This demonstrates to the children that their preparation and success is important, and helps build up their confidence and gives them pride in their abilities.  

Ch 9 & 10 of Rafe Esquith’s “Teach Like Your Hair’s on Fire”

I am like Esquith; I have very little artistic abilities. I do like art and think it is fun! I  think art is important and very enjoyable for children. Children enjoy art projects, whether they turn out as intended or not. Esquith has me wanting to get some plaster bandage rolls and create some Halloween masks with my own children.  In this chapter, Esquith also leaves me hoping for an opportunity to create string art with a middle school class.

In chapter 10, Esquith bores me to death with all the baseball talk. I am not a fan of baseball, but I do have a few fond memories of the occasional played softball games, with my family. I do like the way Esquith prepares his students for the game. I also like how Esquith incorporates the students’ progress in sports with statistics and sportsmanship. Good sportsmanship builds great character, and impressive character makes an immense positive impact in anyone’s life, especially children’s’ life’s.

Chapter 6 of Ron Clark’s “The Excellent 11”

I really enjoyed this chapter. I totally agree with Clark when he says, “When we show kindness to a child, we are doing more than passing on a good deed. We are building a vision in the eyes of that child of how others should be treated.”  I could feel the pain Clark encountered during his high school Spanish II class. Clark uses this to makes a good point about what teachers should not do (look the other way) and what teachers or parents should notice as a sign (failing grades).  I like the comment Clark makes about the class splitting into sides when a disagreement arises between students.  I like the examples Clark gives to help mentors help resolve kids’ conflicts.  I adore the way Clark went out of his way to help Sara transform from the class’ victim to the class’ hero.  This was clever way to play reverse psychology with his students. I agree with Clark, we as teachers/humans must understand that not all children or adults will like each other, but we all must find a common ground on how to co-exist.  We must help children understand how to do this instead of tormenting and bullying each other.  I think we now live in societies that lack compassion, in every way.

Chapter 5 of Ron Clark’s “The Excellent 11”

I can see how writing did not help Clark’s student improve. Writing never helped me to develop better writing skills, but analyzing and correcting writing helped me to develop better skills. Realistic punishments and sticking to your words are the most effective ways to discipline children. Like Clark says, never give children an example of a consequence unless you are willing and able to follow through with it.  I can relate with Clark’s view on balancing life with teaching. I have to do that with my own schoolwork and my personal life, all the time. Sometimes I must put down my books because I am burnt out.

Ch 8 of Rafe Esquith’s “Teach Like Your Hair’s on Fire”

When learning about science, a hands-on approach gives students the most benefits. I am a little taken by Esquith’s section, “I Don’t Have Time to Teach Science.” I agree with him about teaching science takes a lot of time and money. However, it is not right to assume that beginning teachers will not need to or have the time to teach science. With acknowledging that science and social studies is the first thing teachers will cut, when time runs short, I personally do not want to start teaching by avoiding these subjects. I agree with Esquith, some of the best learning takes place when students wrongly address to solve a problem and must readdress it. Like Spencer, the so-called “science geeks” usually do turn out on the top. So encourage students to take interest in science and ignore the rude and negative comments from others.

Chapter 4 of Ron Clark’s “The Excellent 11”

Reflection can be a great thing for children and teachers. I like how Clark gave his students a blank map on the first day of school and another on the last day, to show them a reflection of their knowledge obtained throughout the school year. Providing students with certificates and such to acknowledge successes or accomplishments makes life changing moments for children. Awards go further than word, and they make powerful impacts on students’ self-esteem.  It also gives them something to reflect back on latter in life. Weather it is reflecting and finding ways to improve or, like Mrs. Jones’s class, writing advice for the future students, reflection can be a powerful thing. I really like all the ways Clark addresses reflecting.  Reflection leads to improvement, and improvement leads to perfection.

Ch 6-7 of Rafe Esquith’s “Teach Like Your Hair’s on Fire”

I agree with Esquith, standardized testing has become a nightmare, and its’ damages out numbers its’ successes. In grade school, I hated standardized testing, and now my children complain about it. I do like how Esquith outs the teachers that give their students the testing information prior to the test. I do not agree with this, but I can relate to the desperate measures that teachers feel like they must take in order to keep their jobs.  I agree with the strategies that Esquith points out about how to study for standardized test and how to focus on test taking skills.  Esquith is very right, test scores do not make a person who they are. I am living proof of that.

 I really like the set up and structure of the game Esquith discusses in “Roam Around the World.” The web site, http://www.worldatlas.com/ that Esquith refers to, is a great wed site. I wish I had learned geography, in grade school, the way Esquith describes teaching it to his students. I had an excellent history teacher in high school and college. However, I love the tips that Esquith shares with his readers about teaching history effectively and exciting. I hope I can bring the past to life in an impacting way, for my future students.

Ch 4-5 of Rafe Esquith’s “Teach Like Your Hair’s on Fire”

 Esquith says, “I want students to be able to write well not because of the test coming up, but because writing will help them for the rest of their lives, whether they are applying for college or a job.”, and he is right. I also, agree with Esquith, teachers and parent do have their work cut out, and we must get over the hurdles and through the roadblocks to find strategies and activities that help children become better writers. Esquith’s weekly essays and his set up for this assignment is a great way to help children become better writers. I like the way Esquith has his class do monthly book reports, and giving them an example of one as a guideline in the beginning is an awesome idea. Helping students prepare outlines, as a group in class, is also a great way to help them learn to develop great essays and book reports. I have seen some elementary students’ books from a program like The Young Authors Project. This is a great way to encourage children to write and help them to become better writers. I wish for my children and future students to have opportunities to participate in an Young Authors Program.

I agree with Esquith, the drill-and-kill strategy only makes life easier for teachers. But is this an effective way to teach math? I like the way Esquith uses the activities, Buzz, A Mental Math Warm Up, and Marcy Cook Tile Problems, as alternatives to the kill-and-drill programs. Esquith points out these few effective ways to teach during the math period. However, there is a ton of ways to make math fun and children’s learning successful.

Ch 3 of Ron Clark’s “The Excellent 11”

Thinking outside of the box and putting yourself in the mind-set of children is the best way to find different techniques and solutions for teaching certain skills of knowledge and helping children, best learn those skills. I like the scene that Clark set for his students to discover, while reading “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.” This really got his students involves with the story and made an impression on them, because the majority of the class ranked it as number one on their top books of the year list. I like Clark’s “Rockin’ Words!” and like how he had Mr. Mitchelle to incorporate them in to the kids’ PE lesson. I also think Clark’s game, Elimination Ball, has a creative set up. I agree that the concentration on vocabulary can help students to become better readers and increase test scores.

I totally agree when Clark philosophy, “don’t be afraid to abandon a set of plans or to scrap a lesson if an opportunity for learning presents itself that will be to the child’s advantage. I feel sorry for Clark, when he is tells about teaching the “math problem of the day,” and the principal shows up at the door and comes down on him for going past the allowed 12 minutes. I agree that the students needed some understanding pertaining to the House of Representatives and the members of the Senate, and Clark was right to abandon the principal’s schedule. 

As a teacher, you can never have too many tricks in your bag, especially while keeping discipline in your classroom. I like Clark’s view on offering rewards instead of punishment. I also like how Clark points out that the reward of the trophy and sticker boards grew old and ineffective in such a short time. Though it was insightful that the sticker board worked with Gray, for he was in need attention and positive encouragement.

School-wide projects are great ways to give students the feeling of ownership. They allow them to contribute, and give teachers ways to have fun with them better things about a school. As Clark talks about, a chain of links and pep-rallies are some creative ways to build school unity.

I agree with Clark, teachers are invested in students but not as emotionally involved as parents. I also, like what Clark says about remembering to take the time do special things for our children, and showing them how much they mean to us can never be done too much.

Rafe Esquith's chapter 3 from "Teach Like Your Hair's on Fire"

In Esquith’s chapter 3, Reading for Life, he paints the view of reading as true and sad as it is in reality.  Like Esquith, I think if young children develop a love for reading they will only prosper from that. Like Esquith points out, it is amazing to hear why children are reading, and I think we hear them say “because I haft to for school” far too often. Every teacher wants their student to love reading, but that is not always the case. It is sad when students do not read because they are not good readers. These situations need a different focus, as Esquith suggests, allowing them to read things that are on their reading levels. They will never become a lover of reading if they constantly struggle.  Choosing literature does make a big differnce to elementary school children, who enjoy reading. I like the fact that Esquith uses audio books in his classroom. Any form of literature helps develop learning. Adults do make a difference in children becoming readers. If a child enters school and has never experienced being read to at home, it shows.  Adult are children’s first teachers, and can influence them throughout all their lives. The library offers great opportunities for parents and children, and for introducing children to literature.

Ron Clark's Chapter 2 of "The Excellent 11"

CH 2

“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.” This quote by Abraham Lincoln that Clark uses to open his Adventure chapter is certainly inspiring. Like Clark, at thirty, rolling down the sand dunes with Derrick and his other students, is a perfect example of adults calling upon their youthful sense of adventure. Jumping on the trampoline, riding bikes, or diving off the side of the pool with your children are powerful ways a parent can act upon their youthful sense of adventure. As Clark did by dressing up for spirit week and playing limbo with Ms. Moore’s second grade class, stepping outside of the box are great ways to interact with students in a youthful adventure. Children love interaction, and sometimes adults need to act as if they are kids again and join in with the children in games and activities. Like the mother that went rock climbing with her two teenage sons, is a perfect example of an adventure resulting in a bond. Like Clark’s mother climbing on the Log Flume with him, provided him with a memory of a lifetime. Like Clark, taking his students outside under the shade tree for class, is a great way to make class an adventure and leave students with positive memories that last a lifetime. What Clark writes in his Adventure chapter is so true. Interaction with children in any form will result in building a bond. Adventures leads to bonds, bonding leads to trust, and memories that last a lifetime come from adventures. All of this makes the best impacts on children and students lives, and only leaves room for a positive outcome.

Rafe Esquith Ch. 1-2

Esquith’s opening line, “The Parents want one of the teachers arrested.” quickly grabs your attention. Literally, if your hair were on fire, you would react by trying to extinguish it, which makes scene. Like Esquith, I think fear is not the solution, and it always back fires. Children may not completely understand a situation, but they will understand logic over fear if you take time to give it to them. I also think fear is for lazy people that lack passion in making our children the better future. What we instill in them helps make them who they are. That is why trust is always the solution. Like Esquith, you must not just be a leader, but you also must play by the same rules. Like the old saying goes, practice what you preach, so do not expect them to be dependable if they cannot rely on you. Some children are people pleasers, but (as Esquith points out) this leads to frustrated adults. Everything, from being a role model to having a personal code of ethics, that Esquith addresses, literal fits into the real world of teaching children and the appropriate ways to handle yourself and circumstances. Esquith’s philosophies are something I can relate with, and strongly agree with them leading to positive outcomes.

Ron Clark Ch1

In “The Excellent 11,” Clark tells about some very truthful circumstances. Like the air band show, I can see how this type of event would generate an enthusiastic energy, increase teacher involvement, and change the school’s atmosphere. With Mrs. Bodler, Clark reveals how energetic teaching does not necessary get the job, but energetically focusing on the educational purposes can be rewarding. Clark’s focus on his students learning the presidents was a great idea, but the way he put them in groups with an assisting faculty member was another way of increasing the enthusiastic pay-off. I like the way he painted his first classroom with energy feeding colors. Environments and settings do influence emotions, and positive places leads to positive outcomes. Reaching out to unmotivated children can be difficult. Like Clark’s situation with Emanuel, making a difference in lives of fading students does not always happen. Clark and Nykal, is prime example of how the right strategies can make a difference in unmotivated children and draw them back into being interested in their schoolwork. Enthusiasm does have effect on others. If you are not enthusiastic about what you are teaching and an “I don’t want to be here” attitude shows through, students will scene that and develop the same attitude.