The End of Molasses Classes Part IV

My book study has come to an end!  I am wrapping up The End of Molasses Classes by Ron Clark today.  {Check out Part I, Part II and Part III}

Reaching Out Beyond the Classroom

88. Remember that the Little Things Can Make All the Difference

Take those few extra steps to do something for someone else, whether it be a student or a colleague.  It can have a huge impact on their day or even their life.  Sometimes what takes us such a short amount of time can bring so much joy and inspiration to others.

89. Provide Lessons in Life that Will Become Lessons for Life

Teach students how to shake hands.  Teach them how to make eye-contact.  Teach them how to be respectful.  All to often we expect students to already know how to conduct themselves in public, when they may very well not know how.  And then we proceed to judge them as being disrespectful.  If we teach students these qualities and then hold them to an expectation of presenting them, it will make a huge difference in their attitudes and behaviors.

90. Uplift the Students who have the Furthest to Go

It is so easy to praise the students who are at the top of the class or are the most athletic or the friendliest.  Most of the time, it's those students who are struggling, either socially or academically, they really need your support and encouragement.  Those low-performing students need that extra praise or one on one support to know that someone really truly cares about them.

I hope you enjoyed reading about my favorite parts of The End of Molasses Classes.  In truth, I loved the whole book and have been deeply inspired by it.  It will be one of those books that I keep close to my desk or bed to help me on those toughest days.  A book that I will refer to many, many times throughout my career.  I highly encourage that all teachers read Ron's Clark book and I would love to hear what you have to say about it.