#55 Be the best person you can be.

"Throughout life, you are going to be lonely at times, have your heart broken, feel as if something is missing from your life.  Pain and heartache are part of life.  With all of these you will grow, enjoy life, and become the type of person you can be proud of.  You will be a stronger, healthier and happier person if you have laughter, family, adventure, good food, challenge, change and the quest for knowledge."

This is life knowledge, and a lot for a class of students in one year.... However, I see where the author wanted to take his students.  I don't completely agree with every Rule, but know his heart was in the right place, and he was seeing a vision of the future for his students with every attempt.  He has given his best.   My best may be slightly off this rail ... but overall, a very good read.  

#54 Seize the day

 This is about living each day to the fullest.   Story of yet another field trip, doing things never done before and facing your fears. 

Ride that rollercoaster.  

#53 Always be honest

 Even if you have done something wrong, it is best to admit it, because any consequence is more easily addressed the earlier the problem is realized.  

Long story in this one, but worth the read.  

True 

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

 We will all make mistakes and moving on is a great choice to make, but the accompanying story line, was too much for my mind.  

#51 Live without regrets

 Life lessons on experience... something students have yet to achieve.   Not sure about this one either, as some of my regrets brought the best lessons.  

#50 Enjoy life

 Even in the face of adversity.  Know your limits, and that you cannot always have others see your point of view. 

A rule?  

#49 Stand up for what you believe in

 This one punishes a good student for an offense of not returning an assignment (a small piece of blue paper).   To serve the greater good.   I'm a little uneasy about this one too.  However, he believes it was necessary 

You can decide for yourself.  Read it. 

#48 Anti-bully superhero teacher

 Teacher is protector, and will not let another student bully you.  In exchange, teacher asks that he/she not take matters into their own hands; let him/her teacher deal with it. 

For building moral and family bond. Example provided of two students who were treated equally before one another to ease any ill feelings.  More anti-bully superhero teacher.

For a student to know a teacher has his/her back, is a real comfort.  Especially if they know they won't be thrown under the bus during the correction of the problem.   Read it.  

#47 Doritos Rule

 This rule was a lie, and added only to add "flavor" to this list of rules.

My patience with the rules are losing ground ... 

#46 Movie etiquette

 Okay, a teacher taking a class to the movies ... 

No talking whatsoever... 

Open food before the movie begins so no noise during the movie from candy wrappers...

Reality check .... 

#45 Never cut in line

 If someone cuts in line in front of you (student) do not say or do anything, but let the teacher know and he will handle it.

Okay.  The students are encourage to handle the matter on their own only if they can do so in a manner more mature and orderly.  

Reality check.... 

#44 While in line etiquette

 Rule 44  - While in line, walk single file, two to three feet behind the person in front of you with your arms at your sides.  You should face forward at all times.  There will be absolutely no talking. 

Finishing school etiquette again.  I can see the benefit of these rules but I'm having difficulty with the realistic-ness of some of them.  

#43 Escalator / Elevator Etiquette

 The group is instructed to stand to the right when riding up an escalator, and wait for occupants to disembark from an elevator before entering.

Not much to say about this advice.  

#42 Return from field trip etiquette

 This is about teaching the showing of appreciation by thanking those that help you, each and every time someone helps you.  It's not the job of the teacher/fiend/parent to take the student/child on a field trip.  The lesson could have just as easily been discussed in class/home.  However, the teacher/friend/parent went out of his/her way to see that the student/child experienced an event, person or place and therefore should be thanked.  

It is the type of manners that sets them apart.  It is also the type of behavior that will get them invited back.  

#41 Answering the Phone at Home

 Rule 41  Teaches children how to answer the phone.  Also tells children its okay to tell a caller someone isn't home and how to take a message.  

Although, I understand the need for know how.  I'm a little concerned about a student telling a caller his mother/father isn't home.  

#40 Assembly Etiquette

 Rule #40  How to behave in a school Assembly.  This teacher practices with his students and goes to the extreme of sitting in different places, calling students names, and throwing paper at them in an attempt to see them break the rule of always facing forward, lands in lap, and never using the arm rests.

He reminds them of their practice before any real assembly.   

This is beginning to feel like finishing school.  

#39 Giving Compliments when visiting ...

 Rule 39 - again this was while the students were on a field trip, it is a good idea to compliment something about the place where we are visiting.  

This teacher educates his students prior to the field trip on where they are going, what they should see, and what they may compliment at the appropriate time.  He has been accused of putting words in student's mouths but says he is an educator and is attempting to educate them on what they should do when he is not in their presence.  

#38 Quite while entering a building

 Rule 38 describes yet another field trip, this time to a New York theater, where other classes were there and the other classes were chaotic.  As a result of their silent, orderly and polite entry they were seated first and got the front row.   

It pays to be polite, orderly and quite sometimes.   This group was appreciated and given a reward for their good behavior.   

I don't see our students going to New York for the theater, but again, even if it's the local Christmas pageant an orderly, polite group of children is well received.  

#37 BUMP Excuse me.

 Rule 37 is one we all need to brush up on.  If you accidently bump someone in a busy hallway, or stairwell, or elevator, even if it was not your fault, say "excuse me". 

In this chapter, airplane etiquette was also addressed, and it was a real heart string puller.  Worth the read.  

However, his students did a lot more traveling than any public school student in my town will ever get, at least as a student.   

#36 Holding the door for others

 Well, here it is. Holding the door for others.

The teacher observed that the children want to know just what is expected of them and how to show respect when discussing these types of manners.  

Instruction was given for doors that open inward and outward, where to stand, etc.   I hope were teaching our children these things.  It's so good for the soul...