Ron Clark- The Excellent 11 - Chapter 2 Adventure

Chapter 2- Adventure

In this chapter Clark Talks about how important a scene of adventure is in Education. He talks about the importance of teachers calling upon their youthful scene of adventure. Clark writes, "Life can be really difficult for teenagers, and they are often worried about what others will think that they won't let down their guard. As teachers and parents we need to make sure they are in an environment where they feel that they can be themselves, laugh and be free." (26) It is so important for the classroom to be a fun and comfortable environment for students. When teachers make a class more adventurous, it makes students more engaged and excited to involved in classroom activity.

"Sometimes as teacher we have to remember what if feels like, to be young and to re-create that scene of daring. We have to take a few risks and show our students that we still know how to laugh, have fun and to experience a little adventure in our lives." (28) The more years you have under your belt as a teacher, the more wisdom you can bring to your teaching, however, with that wisdom one must not "grow old". Teachers must be fresh and youthful in their teaching approach and not be afraid to look silly. I will never forget my seventh grade language arts teacher Mrs. Holzwarth. Although she had been teaching for over 20 years, her sense of adventure was strong as ever. Everyday was an adventure- weather it was dressing up, singing or silly songs, Mrs. Holzwarth kept her squirmy seventh graders interested and engaged.

Clark also talks in this section about finding and forming bonds with your students. Clark writes, "When adults and kids experience some type of adventure, it pulls them together and creates a bond like nothing else." (31) Clark goes on to talk about taking risks with your students- going outside your comfort zone.

Clark then talks about how adventure is taking a risk. Clark goes on to talk about how he as a teacher took his biggest risk as a young teacher. After seeing a TV special on the poor teaching conditions in Harlem New York, he got up and moved in hopes of making a difference. Sometimes as a teacher you have to follow your heart, go where the path does not lead and find the adventure inside yourself. This adventure will keep you young, keep you learning and keep you connected with your students.

The next section in this chapter talks about realistic adventure. Simple things like teaching a lessons outside or bringing in food from the country your teaching about. Clark talks about how adventure doesn't mean extravagant field trips, that bring adventure to the classroom can be as simple of dressing up. As a teacher you have to be smart with adventure and be prepared and organize. It's important that the adventure that you are bringing to the classroom has a purpose and benefits the students. The best thing about adventure based activities is that teachers and students alike learn things about themselves. Weather it's team building activities or a field trip to Washington DC, these adventurous activities form bonds and create memories that will last a life time.