ow 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.

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, NY. Since winning the 2001 Disney Teacher of the Year Award, he has spoken to teachers, PTAs, and school boards across the country. He lives in Atlanta

Acknowledgments	xv
Introduction	xix
RULE 1: Responding to adults	1	(1)
RULE 2: Making eye contact	2	(4)
RULE 3: Congratulating a classmate	6	(3)
RULE 4: Respect other students' comments, opinions, and ideas	9	(5)
RULE 5: If you win, do not brag; if you lose, do not show anger	14	(2)
RULE 6: If you are asked a question in conversation, ask a question in return	16	(4)
RULE 7: Cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough and say excuse me	20	(1)
RULE 8: Do not show disrespect with gestures	21	(3)
RULE 9: Always say thank you when given something	24	(3)
RULE 10: When you receive something, do not insult the gift or the giver	27	(2)
RULE 11: Surprise others by performing random acts of kindness	29	(13)
RULE 12: When grading other students' papers, give only the correct grade	42	(4)
RULE 13: Follow along when we read together in class	46	(4)
RULE 14: Answer all written questions with a complete sentence	50	(4)
RULE 15: Do not ask for a reward	54	(2)
RULE 16: You must complete your homework every day	56	(4)
RULE 17: Subject transitions will be swift, quiet, and orderly	60	(2)
RULE 18: Be as organized as possible	62	(5)
RULE 19: When homework is assigned, do not moan or complain	67	(2)
RULE 20: When a substitute teacher is present, all class rules still apply	69	(5)
RULE 21: Follow the specific classroom protocols	74	(3)
RULE 22: You may bring a bottle of water to class, you may not leave for a drink of water during class	77	(2)
RULE 23: Know other teachers' names and greet them in the hall by name	79	(3)
RULE 24: Keep yourself and the bathrooms clean and germ-free	82	(3)
RULE 25: Greet visitors and make them feel welcome	85	(3)
RULE 26: Do not save seats in the lunchroom	88	(1)
RULE 27: Do not stare at a student who is being reprimanded	89	(2)
RULE 28: Call me if you have a question about homework and leave a message-once	91	(2)
RULE 29: The ABC's of etiquette	93	(7)
RULE 30: After dining in the cafeteria or elsewhere, be responsible for your trash	100	(2)
RULE 31: In a hotel room, leave a tip for the hotel workers who clean your room	102	(1)
RULE 32: On a bus, always face forward	103	(2)
RULE 33: When meeting new people, shake hands and repeat their names	105	(2)
RULE 34: When offered food, take only your fair share	107	(3)
RULE 35: If someone drops something and you are close to it, pick it up	110	(1)
RULE 36: Hold the door for people rather than letting it close on them	111	(1)
RULE 37: If someone bumps into you, say excuse me, even if it was not your fault	112	(2)
RULE 38: On a field trip, enter a public building quietly	114	(2)
RULE 39: On a field trip, compliment the place you are visiting	116	(1)
RULE 40: During an assembly, do not speak or call out to friends	117	(2)
RULE 41: At home, answer your phone in a polite and appropriate manner	119	(2)
RULE 42: When returning from a trip, shake the hands of every chaperone	121	(1)
RULE 43: On escalators, stand to the right, walk to the left	122	(2)
RULE 44: When walking in line, keep your arms at your sides and move quietly	124	(3)
RULE 45: Never cut in line	127	(2)
RULE 46: No talking in a movie theater during the movie	129	(2)
RULE 47: Do not bring Doritos into the school building	131	(3)
RULE 48: If anyone is bullying you, let me know	134	(3)
RULE 49: Stand up for what you believe in	137	(5)
RULE 50: Be positive and enjoy life	142	(2)
RULE 51: Live so that you will never have regrets	144	(2)
RULE 52: Learn from your mistakes and move on	146	(6)
RULE 53: No matter the circumstances, always be honest	152	(4)
RULE 54: Carpe Diem	156	(2)
RULE 55: Be the best person you can be	158	(3)
A Few Tips for Dealing with Children	161	(8)
Tips for Dealing with Parents	169	(12)
Tips for Setting Punishments and Rewards	181	(14)
In Closing . . .	195

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