Crash Course Book Review and Giveaways

Summer is a time for teachers to sit down and revaluate their teaching practices, content, and delivery.   Okay, I will admit it's not all about school.  Summer is a time of recovering emotionally and physically.  Time for faith, family, friends, and necessary "me" time.  For myself, "me" time can consist of a pedicure with a good book.  The greatest gift of summer is a rejuvenated passion for reading. It is cheap, it consoles, it distracts, it excites, it gives you knowledge.  This summer I began reading a book that inspires me to build relationships, abandon fears, embrace unique qualities through the life lessons of a remarkably motivating, highly acclaimed teacher.  It's the honesty, humor, heartbreak, and humanity that pours from the pages of Kim Bearden's book Crash Course: The Lessons My Students Taught Me that entangles my heart, activates my thoughts, and gives me a renewed approach to education.  The inspiring true stories complied in Kim's book will help others find compassion, joy, and success both personally and professionally.

As I read each chapter (referred to as a course), I'm captivated by lesson learned through the stories Kim has experience with her students.  Building background happens to be the most important component to any lesson.  Without the connections made, the instruction is lost.  Chemistry and trust are the background to connecting with students.  The words to which she describes chemistry jump off the page and smack me between the eyes! "When we show others that their interests matter to us, we are making meaningful steps toward developing lasting bonds and trust."  Kim's words seamlessly flow and before you blink you are riding a rollercoaster of emotions in which you connect deeply. 

 

There are 17 courses in this book: Chemistry, Magic, Courage, Play, Recover, Talent, Optimism, Love, Generosity, Tenacity, Insight, Expectations, Bonding, Creativity, Improvisations, Gratitude, and Faith.  Each course begins with a description that extends beyond the title of the chapter and describes the main idea.  The words are constructed from experiences throughout Kim's 27 years as an educator and administrator.  At the conclusion of each course you'll find class notes in which summarizes the chapter with key bullets that assist in allowing you to reflect upon the stories told.  In addition to the notes, homework is provided in order to guide your thinking from reflection to actions.

 

After visiting the Ron Clark Academy in which Kim is a co-founder and teacher of language arts, I understand fully the innovation of energetic teaching that captivates children on various levels of academic, social, and emotional development.  Kim is infectious! So grab some tissues, and pick up your copy of the book right here! You will definitely not be disappointed! 

Kim Bearden is the co-founder and executive director at the Ron Clark Academy. Most importantly, she is also the language arts teacher. 

Kim has received numerous awards for her creative, dynamic, and rigorous teaching styles. She was selected from over 70,000 nominations to be honored as the Disney American Teacher Awards Outstanding Middle School Humanities Teacher. Along with countless other awards, she was also chosen from among 7,000 teachers as Teacher of the Year in Cobb County Georgia. 

Over the past twenty-seven years, she has been a teacher, instructional lead teacher, curriculum director, school board member, staff development trainer, and middle school principal. 

For someone that has accomplished so much during her career, Kim is by far one of the most humble and down to earth educators. Her life hasn't been perfect, and I love that she is so transparent in her book as she shares her experiences as an educator. 

Instead of telling you, I will just show you! Here is a little clip that shows who and what the Ron Clark Academy is all about! The best part? You can actually come spend a day…or two…at the school! Be sure and follow the Ron Clark Academy on Facebook {HERE} to receive special updates and events! 

If you would like to visit RCA and participate in the RCA Educator Training Experience, visit the website {HERE} to register! It is truly a training unlike anything you have ever experienced before. During this training, you will get to meet the students of RCA and observe Ron Clark and Kim Bearden's unparalleled instruction in their 5th grade classrooms. You will also spend the day in classroom observations and workshops that will enhance your instruction in any grade level. And of course, you will end the visitation becoming "slide certified." 

2014-2015 Training Dates:

I am so excited about teaming up with some of my favorite bloggers to share our review of Kim's book. Click on any of the links below to see what they think...

An InLinkz Link-up

 

Win a signed copy of Kim's Book!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Win a free visitation to the Academy! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway
I will end this post with a few pictures of my RCA experience. If you ever get a chance to visit, you will see exactly why I feel so extremely blessed to have visited this enchanting school.

Understanding the RCA Experience

Have you ever visited the Ron Clark Academy?  I have followed Mr. Clark's path for a few years and went to a presentation he held in Vegas last summer.  He managed to climb his way through the audience and stand between Erica from Ed-Ventures and myself.  I knew then I had to go to the RCA but had no idea about his magic until I arrived in Atlanta this past weekend.

Arthur Ashe once said, "Start where you are.  Use what you have.  Do what you can."  After spending time at the Ron Clark Academy this weekend and listening to Ron's book, The End of Molasses Classes, I feel this statement resonates with me more deeply now than ever. 

If you are not familiar, the Ron Clark Academy is housed in a renovated red brick warehouse located in southeast Atlanta, Georgia and accommodates fifth through eighth grade students.  Mr. Clark had planned to build the school for ten years before construction began. Along with the proceeds of his book The Essential 55, Mr. Clark raised additional funding for the project so that classes could begin for students in the fall of 2007.

"Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." Ralph Waldo Emerson. This quote graces the front door of the RCA and captures the essence and spirit of co-founders Ron Clark and Kim Bearden's dream. As stated on their website, "Together we have blazed many new paths, and we have celebrated as others have joined us in this amazing adventure."

I'm grateful for an unexpected invitation a few weeks ago from my darling friend, Hope King of Second Grade Shenanigans.  She is blessed with the opportunity to work for the academy with her husband, Wade King.  My day was double the fun hanging out with Elizabeth Hall from Kickin' it in Kindergarten. So glad I had a partner in crime.

Our adventures began on Thursday evening with the Ron Clark Academy Musical.  This was my first glimpse at such an astonishing group of young individuals.  The musical was inspired, scripted, and choreographed in only five days.  Students auditioned for roles while other took the lead in directing, choreographing, and writing the music. I'm amazed by the creativity, courage and confidence of these young individuals. 

Friday started with a school wide gathering in the library.  As you enter, a student escorts you inside while you are embraced by nearly all in attendance.  If caught standing alone, even for a split second, you had another young individual engaging in conversation with you.  As we made our way through the masses, we were assembling around a trampoline. How cool is school with a trampoline in a library?

After the meet and greet, we were given a bit of background on the academy as we transitioned into the main building.  The building is breathtaking.  When you walk into the entrance, you can see portraits of the kids lining the walls.  A two story slide is the focal point, centered just beyond the entry.  The hallways and classrooms are decorated with graffiti art by a local artist.  I just love that each teacher is allowed to have their room painted in what inspires them.

Each person that attends elicits a different response.  You could be enchanted, captivated, or inspired by instruction and learning that occurs.  Some might reaffirm that their teaching practices are engaging and far from "Molasses Classes". I was assured my teaching practices are on track.  I know I build excitement for learning with themes.  I take my kids on journeys like my most recent post here entitled  Dinosaur Day. 

I'm most inspired with how the students at the RCA are divided into four houses:  Altruismo, Isibindi, Reveur, and Amistad.  A house is much like a fraternity, and the members of each house become very close knit.   Each house has its own philosophy and meaning, Altrusimo is Portuguese, which means to give to others; Isibinidi is Zulu and it means courage; Revueur is French and it means to dream; and Amistad is Spanish, which means friendship. The houses work in synergy and with healthy competition.  During the course of the school year, students earn points for their house for citizenship, behavior, academics, and getting caught doing anything well. A running total is maintained and a weekly champion is announced.  The house totals continued throughout the year until a the winning house is selected for the year.  The colors of the house winner are used to decorate the end of the year banquet. 

This day, from start to finish, was magical.  The lessons were inspiring as students and teachers jumped on and off desks. I truly learned what student led means as I watched  a student teacher, only in six grade, perform so proficiently he turned the RCA into a CLUB with the push of a red button!  In a blink, a teacher changed from her work attire to wearing combat boots, fatigues, and a law enforcement top.  The grammar police were on the hunt for teachers with poor usage.  Grammar baskets were set up around the room and we were to find the correct table tent, categorizing the slips. If caught in transit or parked in the wrong location, the teachers were given a ticket.  It was fun and engaging. 

Once teacher observations were complete, we were served a catered lunch with the company of their delightful students continuing to engage us in conversation.  My chair was pulled out and pushed in by the cutest young man in fifth grade.  Elizabeth and I were 100% captivated and told Mr. Clark that we needed a field trip form so that their kiddos could come and visit our schools. 

We transitioned into workshop where we were inspired by the creativity behind the scenes.  How to take back tips and tricks and implement things within our own school.  To complete our day, all teachers were slide certified.  One of many highlights of the day.

This enchanting experience compelled me to spend my entire 6 hour drive home listening to the book, The End of Molasses Classes.  I listened as Mr. Clark read his words starting with his first teaching experience. The defining moments seem to come during his years teaching at schools in Harlem as he witnessed many classrooms that seemed zapped of all energy.  He decided to leave his job as a teacher in Harlem and set out to explore schools in the 50 states to see what made them successful or what the teachers and schools needed to do to bring back the excitement and desire to learn.  It was and still is his belief that as teachers we can inspire our children to greatness by creating exciting and engaging classrooms and schools.  And thus began his quest to find the remarkable teachers and schools that could set examples for all teachers and parents to follow.

Listening to his 101 Extraordinary Solutions from The End of Molasses Classes really helps you understand and embrace his practices through heartfelt stories and experiences that lead you to understand his vision.  This book is divided into two parts, the first half is for teachers and school administrators and the second half is dedicated to helping parents raise children who strive for success.  The book as a whole is meant to show us how we all have to work together, parents, teachers and administrators to bring life back into class.

I couldn't adequately express my excitement for reading his first book, The Essential 55.  You can get a glimpse of what the essentials are about in the Ron Clark Story starring Matthew Perry.  The entire TNT made for TV movie told of Mr. Clark's time in New York City working with the kids.

I'm also thrilled for the opportunity to read Kim Bearden's inspiring book Crash Course: The Life Lessons My Students Have Taught Me!  There will be more exciting news about this treasure this summer.  You will want to order your copy now and trust me, you won't put the book down!

As you can see, I'm obsessed with everything RCA.