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.