Who is Ron Clark? • Disney Teacher of the Year

• Oprah’s first “Phenomenal Man.”

• Focus of The Ron Clark Story starring Matthew Perry.

• Founder and Teacher at the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, Georgia.

• Author of The Essential 55.

Why All The Fuss?

Clark is by definition an out-of-the-box thinker. In the span of one school year, he turned one of the lowest performing classes of students in Harlem into one of the top performing classes. He duplicates this each year that he teaches

HOW DOES HE DO IT?

Video 1

The Essential 55 These are the 55 rules that Ron Clark

uses in his class. They cover more than just school…these are a guide for a successful life with great character!

“ What I have found is that if you take the time to show kids exactly what you expect, they are far more likely to do as you ask. Just expecting students to know how to act and hold themselves in all situations isn't realistic if they have never been exposed to

the correct behavior.”- Ron Clark

The Essential 55 Continued…

He claims that students actually want to know what they specifically can and can not do. They get confused and give-up when they get yelled at for “not acting right”, etc. when the specifics of what is expected hasn’t been defined for them.

REFLECTION…

Oversimplifying rules and expectations does not work at any age level. It only causes confusion and misunderstanding.

The Creativity of Ron ClarkRon believes that it is important for students to “like” their teacher. With that must come a mutual understanding and respect for the teacher’s role in the classroom.

In an effort to engage students, he uses high energy, creative exercises and incredibly high expectations for EVERY child.

Ron’s Teaching in Action…

Video 2

Ron Clark Strategy:

MUSIC AND RAPRon uses music as a tool frequently in his teaching. Facts and information that are necessary for skill development are learned and remembered easier if tagged as part of a song or rap. Some he writes for the students and others are written by or with collaboration from students. Either way, the process is very cerebral and helps cement important information.

“You Can Vote However You Like”

Video 3

“Problems Up”

Video 4

Ron Clark Strategy:Supporting One Another

Ron Clark believes in establishing from day one, the concept that the class is a family. They celebrate each other’s successes by applauding students when they get a correct answer and they encourage each other when they need a boost. This is engrained in them as one of his class rules and he very consistently enforces the concept.

Supporting One Another continued…

Clark uses the “Ask – Pause – Call” technique with fidelity, but once the student has been chosen to answer, or share their thought process, he stresses that it is their question to answer and no one else’s. If a student puts their hand in the air, he quickly and firmly reminds them that this is against the rules and it is not their question.

He believes this is important because, students will often shut their brain down or stop thinking when they see someone else wants or “can” answer.

Ron Clark Strategy: Healthy Competition

Ron Clark makes lots of things a competition. This involves competing against a “best score or best time.” They develop an internal motivation for self and group improvement. He uses this to improve procedures in his classroom, making them run more smoothly.

Ron Clark Strategy: Teach Social Skills in EVERYTHING!

Clark believes that it’s not enough to be intelligent. He believes that the way people learn to interact is as important and perhaps more important than their intellect. As a result, he implements social, conversational and presentation skills into all aspects of his curriculum.

Video 5

Ron Clark Strategy:Make Yourself Look Goofy

Students enjoy it when the teacher looks goofy or foolish. This often establishes the teacher as the focal point and creates a positive connection with the students. Ideas include:

- Playing at recess (swinging, jump rope, climbing, etc.)

- Doing something silly for every correct answer, etc.- Standing on the desk/chair.

Video 6

Our Job is to Make Them Think BIGGER!

Accepting “good enough” or “close enough” is never enough. Ron Clark challenges teachers to be inspirational and get students thinking creatively. Out-of-the-box projects and high expectations for outcomes must be business as usual for truly effective classrooms.

Reflection

Ron Clark is a leader in high energy, fast-paced, motivational teaching. His personality is infectious and his impact has been extensive. Through his use of detailed expectations, rules and procedures, along with exciting projects and activities, his students achieve the unimaginable!

For More on Ron Clark…