The Essential 55 - rules 1-10

I found many things interesting about "The Essential 55". Ever rule has a story behind it. One of my favorites was rule number 2. Making eye contact when speaking to someone or when someone is speaking to you. "Keeping eye contact is something that many people find hard to do, but it is important to get your point across to people and show them you're serious about what you are saying." (Page 3)To me, that rule is extremely hard to follow, has to do with low confidence and what not, yet whenever someone speaks to me while making eye contact it's easier to believe every word they say. They seem more sincere, so I understand the importance of this. I also really liked how he shared student's grades to the class. "I have found that sharing grades with the entire class can be a very positive experience, in the right type of environment." (Pg 8) I've never been able to experience this because every teacher is told to keep grades confidential and to just tell the student by himself. I would want to apply that method someday, when I begin teaching. I'd like to see if I gain positive results as well as he did. I most definitely like rule number 5, about not bragging. "No matter what their abilities, I want them to remain confident yet humble." (Pg 15) I've always thought it's important to let your abilities and skills shine through humility. "In order for this rule to work, you have to enforce it, and sometimes that is difficult." (Pg 24) Here, he is talking about rule 9, about taking away something if not shown appreciation for it. I like that quote, however, not because of the rule but because it applies to all rules. I'm a really nice person and it's hard on me to enforce rules on the students. But what he says, is really true. Which is why I love how he said he had to "remain consistent.". There he explains how a little girl got so excited when she was rewarded that she forgot to say thank you, the kids pointed it out and he had to follow his rule and take it away from her. This helps me understand I'll have to face those situations to and prepare to how I will react.

http://www.smartclassroommanagement.com/2012/06/16/how-to-be-consistent-with-classroom-management/