We are learning "The Essential 41" rules during Afternoon Wrap-Up. These rules are based off of Ron Clark's book, The Essential 55. You can check out Mr. Clark's New York Times Bestseller at the library or you can even borrow Mrs. Van Dyke's copy! She would be more than happy to share it with you! :o) Check out Mr. Clark's website at http://www.ronclark.info/About_Ron_Clark/.

Printable version of Mrs. Van Dyke's Essential 41 Rules

1. Make eye contact. When someone is speaking, keep your eyes on him or her at all times. If someone makes a comment, turn and face that person.

2. If someone in the class wins a game or does something well, we will congratulate that person.

3. During discussions, respect other students’ comments, opinions, and ideas. Raise your hand if you would like to contribute to the discussion. Only one person should be speaking at a time.

4. If you win or do well at something, do not brag. If you lose, do not show anger.

5. If you are asked a question in conversation, you should restate the question and then ask a question in return.

6. When you cough, sneeze, or burp, it is appropriate to turn your head away from others and cover your mouth with the full part of your hand. Afterward, you should say, “Excuse me.”

7. Do not smack your lips, “tsk”, roll your eyes, or show disrespect with gestures.

8. Always say thank you when I give you something. If you do not say it within five seconds after receiving the item, I will take it back. There is no excuse for not showing appreciation.

9. When you are given something from someone, never insult that person by making negative comments about the gift or by insinuating that it wasn’t appreciated.

10. Surprise others by performing random acts of kindness. Go out of your way to do something surprisingly kind and generous for someone at least once a month.

11. Occasionally, we may grade each other’s papers as a group. When grading other students’ papers, if you give someone an incorrect grade on purpose, whether it is higher or lower than they deserve, the amount the grade differs from the actual grade will be deducted from your paper.

12. Be attentive at all times. If someone asks you a question, you should be prepared to respond right away.

13. Answer all written questions with a complete sentence. Restate the question!

14. Homework will be turned in by every student with no exceptions.

15. When we are in transition from one subject to another, the change will be swift, quiet, and orderly.

16. You will make every effort to be as organized and prepared as possible.

17. When I assign homework, there is to be no moaning or complaining.

18. While you are with a substitute teacher or in another teacher’s classroom, you will obey the same rules that you follow when I am with you.

19. You may bring a bottle of water and leave it on your desk. Do not ask me if you can get water while I am teaching a lesson.

20. Quickly learn the names of other teachers in the school and greet them by saying things like, “Good morning, Mrs. Joy,” or Good afternoon, Mrs. Degand.”

21. If you need to use the washroom, be sure to check out first. Do not interrupt class, unless it is an emergency. Flush the toilet and wash your hands after using the rest room. Return to class right away.

22. Do not save seats in the lunchroom or in line.

23. If I or any other teacher is speaking to or disciplining a student, do not listen in to the conversation. Worry about yourself.

24. If you have a question about your homework, you may email me at kvandyke@dist50.net. You may also call me at school at (847)984-8931. I will make every effort to get back to you as soon as I can. Remember to check our website, http://www.mrsvandyke.com, for any posted homework assignments.

25. When you ride on a bus, always sit facing forward. When you exit the bus, always thank the bus driver and tell him or her to have a good day.

26. If someone drops something, pick it up and hand it back to them.

27. If you approach a door and someone is following you, hold the door.

28. If someone bumps into you, even if it was not your fault, say, “Excuse me.”

29. During an assembly, do not speak and do not look around and try to get the attention of your friends in other classes.

30. When we return from a field trip, thank every chaperone that went with us. If we have parents or visitors in our classroom, thank them for coming before they leave.

31. Always walk on the right side of the hallway. If we are walking on the stairs, we will stay all the way over to the right so that other classes can easily pass by.

32. When in line, walk single file, with your arms at your side. You should face forward at all times. There will be absolutely no talking.

33. Do not bring food into the classroom, unless it is snack time.

34. Clean up after yourself. The hallway, classroom, and your desk should be cleaned up and organized by the time you leave each day.

35. If any child in this school is bothering you, decide if you can handle the situation on your own. If it is something that you need to tell an adult, do it. If I am not there, tell the nearest adult.

36. Stand up for what you believe in.

37. Be positive and enjoy life. Always keep a smile on your face!

38. Live so that you will never have regrets. Carpe diem!

39. Accept that you are going to make mistakes. Learn from them and move on.

40. No matter what the circumstances, always be honest.

41. Be the best person you can be.