New York Times bestselling author and educator Ron Clark challenges parents, teachers, and communities everywhere embrace a difference in the classroom and uplift, educate, and empower our children.
Read this book to find out why so many across the country have embraced these powerful rules.
· Set the electric tone on day one
· Teach your children how to study—don’t expect it to come naturally
· Don’t constantly stress about test scores
· Not every child deserves a cookie
· Lift up your teachers. No, really, lift them up!
· If kids like you all the time, you’re doing something wrong
· Don’t be a penny parent
Be different. Be bold. Join in.
Download and start listening now!
"Awesome book about Ron Clark's journey from teacher to author/teacher to head of the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta. He gives us 101 reasons why kids need structure, stability, truth, consequences, consistency and challenge in their academic lives. Even as a homeschooling mom, he gave me motivation to step up my game and go farther with our studies than the perfunctory. He's a dynamo of motion and ideas and should be required reading for all teachers."
— Chris (5 out of 5 stars)
“Rife with heart-warming anecdotes and inspiring ideas…Educators and parents will find much to emulate in this passionate, motivating tool book.”
— Publishers Weekly“Inspirational, easy-to-follow insights on how to grow smarter, healthier children and communities…this timely resource can make school a motivational and fun community.”
— Kirkus Reviews“The End of Molasses Classes reminds me of exactly why I chose to be an educator. Ron Clark is an inspiring, passionate teacher who truly believes that every kid can make it—and in his classroom, they do!”
— Erin Gruwell, teacher and founder of the Freedom Writers" I read this book after visiting the magnificent Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta. Ron's writing accurately reflects his school, his staff, his students, and his parents. If you ever have the opportunity to visit RCA, you will be reenergized and motivated to end those molasses classes. Great read! "
— Mindy, 2/17/2014" I generally don't enjoy books written by people who feel the need to plaster their face all over the book. Ron Clark loves putting his face on everything (front cover, back cover, countless photos, etc.). While I think Mr. Clark is probably a great educator and doing wonderful things for the students at RCA in Harlem, I find his books a bit frustrating. This book contains "101 extraordinary solutions" to get "our kids unstuck" from boring, problematic classrooms/educators/parents. My primary beef with this (and his previous "55 essentials") is that these numbered solutions are often very vague and obvious. Teachers (like myself) who desperately strive to continually improve don't need this guy to state the obvious ("push yourself to be innovative", "listen", etc.) or recount tales of extraordinary students in extraordinary situations with super amazing teachers in unique schools. I want concrete details explaining specific steps I can literally take each day to impact my students and enable them to succeed. This is a quick feel good read, but won't really help me when I get into my classroom. I wish he would spend more time really examining his school and teachers to locate/understand what they are doing and how those skills can be replicated. "
— Joe, 2/11/2014" Changed my life as a teacher! Visited the school after I read it. Life changing! "
— John, 1/27/2014" Can't emphasize enough how good this book is for educators!! "
— Kelly, 1/26/2014" I loved this book! It was so nice to hear that Middle School teachers can have lots of energy and get kids moving, and see kids learn!! It will be on the shopping list for my first paycheck as a MS teacher. "
— Denise, 1/23/2014" Such an inspiring book. I can feel his energy just flowing through the pages. As a new teacher, I obtained a lot of advice throughout the Ron Clark books. However, I feel that some of the things he does is just not practical for everyone. I did learn to raise the expectations bar and if you are going to do something... go all out. I really liked how he talked about the staff relations not only with the students but with each other. "
— Amanda, 1/23/2014" I had read Ron Clark's first book The Essential 55 and had seen the movie about him. therefore, I was looking forward to reading this book...and I wasn't disappointed. Although I don't agree with all of his ideas he is definitely an inspiring educator. "
— Barbara, 1/17/2014" I really admire Ron Clark, and he runs a phenomenal school. It makes me tired just reading about all of the cool things his kids get to do. "
— Beverly, 1/15/2014" I love Ron Clark's books. He inspires me to be a better teacher! "
— Linda, 1/11/2014" Great ideas! Obviously some of them just aren't realistic, but it's nice to dream. And of course when you aren't married with children of your own you have more time to devote to your school if you choose to do so. "
— Sheldon, 1/9/2014" If I were a "normal" teacher, I would love to implement some of the ideas in this book! I am a "one and done" teacher, though. I go in, teach library skills, and turn the class back over to the professor. "
— Marci, 1/2/2014" I have read much of Ron Clark's work, that I knew what to expect from this book. It did give me some ideas though. This book (or any Clark book) will inspire good teachers and ignite great teachers. :) "
— Trish, 12/21/2013" Ron Clark is an inspiration to teachers and all those who work with children. I hope to bring some of his spirit into my work with kids. "
— Lindsay, 12/5/2013" stopped partway through, not reading it very fast & it was overdue to the library. whoopsy! "
— Molli927, 12/3/2013" Though some strategies are not realistic for every school and every teacher, this book left me feeling incredibly inspired. Ron Clark transcends beyond teacher...he is a true humanitarian. "
— Sheila, 10/19/2013" I really enjoyed this book. I highly recommend this book for teachers and parents alike. While I did not find all his ideas applicable, I loved many and I have already begun using some in my classroom. So far, the students are loving them. I own it, so feel free to borrow it! "
— Nicole, 9/6/2013" A must-read for innovative teachers. "
— Sara, 4/19/2013" Ron Clark's best book yet! I now have tons of ideas for the school I'm going to start and am so inspired!! "
— Peggy, 3/1/2013" Good book but many of the ideas are not going to work, unless your principal buys in. "
— Kimberly, 1/4/2013" Easy to read, and inspirational. It's amazing what he was able to do for the children in his school. "
— Kimberly, 8/30/2012" Completely horrible. I don't see how it would help parents or even teachers, except maybe private school teachers. And it is so self-agrandizing, with that gee-whiz-who-me humility while tooting his own horn, it was sickening. Horrible read. "
— Lisa, 7/13/2012" I'm tired out after reading this book! SO much energy is involved in teaching! Lots of great ideas and inspiration within! "
— Laura, 6/26/2012" Good information but my goodness this guy is anal. I couldn't work with him. "
— Elisha, 12/8/2011" I just couldn't bear to read yet another "Education can be so wonderful!" book. I'm just burnt out now. The book might be good if I still felt hope. Will again, soon, but it's just a burnt out time right now. "
— Crystal, 11/7/2011" stopped partway through, not reading it very fast & it was overdue to the library. whoopsy! "
— Molli927, 9/5/2011" Excellent book for any parent and/or teacher to read. It really challenged me to find ways to reach my students. Very inspirational. I really want to visit the academy in Atlanta. "
— Laurie, 8/24/2011" I had read Ron Clark's first book The Essential 55 and had seen the movie about him. therefore, I was looking forward to reading this book...and I wasn't disappointed. Although I don't agree with all of his ideas he is definitely an inspiring educator. "
— Barbara, 8/12/2011" Ron Clark's best book yet! I now have tons of ideas for the school I'm going to start and am so inspired!! "
— Peggy, 8/8/2011Ron Clark is the author of bestseller The Essential 55, which has sold more than one million copies in twenty-five different languages. He has been named “American Teacher of the Year” by Disney and was Oprah Winfrey’s pick as her “Phenomenal Man.” He founded The Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, Georgia, which more than 25,000 educators from around the world have visited to learn about the extraordinary ways that teachers and parents of RCA have helped children achieve great success. He has been featured on The Today Show and CNN, and his experiences have been turned into the film The Ron Clark Story, starring Matthew Perry.