50 Rules Kids Won’t Learn in School: Real-World Antidotes to Feel-Good Education
Update: There’s a website for the 50 Rules book. Go here!
Charles J. Sykes has long been one of my favorite chroniclers of our dumbed-down education and the corrupting effects of the self-esteem movement. I just received his new book, set for release on August 21, titled “50 Rules Kids Won’t Learn in School: Real-World Antidotes to Feel-Good Education.” Witty, acerbic, reality-grounded. It’s a great purchase for college-bound friends/family or parents with school-age kids.
A sneak peek at Sykes’ sage advice:
#1 Life is not fair. Get used to it.
#7 If you think your teacher is tough, wait until you get a boss. He doesn’t have tenure, so he tends to be a bit edgier. When you screw up, he’s not going to ask you how you FEEL about it.
#15 Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your grandparents had a different word for burger flipping. They called it “opportunity.”
#42 Change the oil.
#43 Don’t let the success of others depress you.
#48 Tell yourself the story of your life. Have a point.
Each rule is explored with wise, pithy examples that parents, grandparents, and teachers can use to help children help themselves succeed—in school and out of it.
A few rules kids won’t learn in school:
#9 Your school may have done away with winners and losers. Life hasn’t.
#14 Looking like a slut does not empower you.
#29 Learn to deal with hypocrisy.
#32 Television is not real life.
#38 Look people in the eye when you meet them.
#47 You are not perfect, and you don’t have to be.
#50 Enjoy this while you can.
***
Feel free to add your own.
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Categories: Education
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#51 Live within your means!
#52 Just because you CAN do something does not make it the right thing to do.
I have one:
“Amish groundings” are your friends, fellow parents. Anything requiring electricity or battery power isn’t allowed. VERY effective
You don’t have a constitutional right to be liked. Get over yourself.
#53 Every day can be a fresh start if you’re willing to work at it
Please don’t grow up to be a Far-Left-Nutjob!!!!
What about being one? Perhaps that tip should be modified a bit….
#54a If you can read this, thank your parents – teacher are just too busy to teach.
#54b If you can read a Bible, it isn’t 2008 yet.
Just because somthing feels good-does NOT mean it IS good.
Remember that money isn’t an end, it’s merely a means.
No one has a right not to be offended.
Never invade Russia in the winter.
Sushi isn’t good the next day.
Man, there are a lot of things I could add (and maybe some are already in the book), but I don’t want my misanthropic tendencies to bring everybody down.
But I will add: be VERY careful who you trust.
Suck it up and stop whining. Not every thing goes your way.
There is no law that requires you to approve of/accept/like/condone other people’s bad behavior.
No means No! Yes means Yes!
Learn to speak English. The word “like” doesn’t have to be used in every sentence because you can’t articulate your thoughts properly. If they banned the word “like”, a whole generation would be silent.
Being a rock star or poet doesn’t make your pop hero a true thinker. Re-phrase the the thought without the rhyme and music and see if it still makes sense.
(What a terrific thread!)
When in the wrong own up to your mistake. Do not ever blame someone else for your short comings.
Writing on your laptop in a coffee shop does not make you cool.
Eating an entire box of Nilla Wafers in one sitting is never a good idea.
There’s nothing special about green M&Ms.
#55 Love God and Country
Just thought I would have some fun.
#56 Get you finger out of your nose, people are watching.
#55. Just because your teachers aren’t accountable, doesn’t mean you’re not.
#56. Tenure doesn’t exist in the real world, you actually have to earn your keep.
#56: Govern, or be governed.
#57: First you make your habits, then your habits make you.
#58: Do not expect to talk yourself out of things you behave yourself into.
#59: You always have a choice.
#60: Don’t say things about others behind their backs that you wouldn’t say to their faces.
#61: It’s not that you’re afraid; it’s what you do when you’re afraid.
#62: Attitudes are like clothes: you can change them when they don’t fit you any longer.
#63: Appearances do matter.
#64: Learn to know the difference between a dream and a fantasy.
#65: Learn to know what a victory is.
#66: It’s not your circumstanes, but your decisions that shape your destiny.
#67: Cultivate an attitude of gratitude.
#68: Live. Life is not a rehearsal.
#69: Be careful of what you wish for (you just might get it).
#70: In the final accounting, the only number that counts is how many times you got back up.
#71: Virtue is its own reward.
No, it’s not all about you.
Multiple piercings can deter employers.
Be kind to your parents. They will probably pay your college tuition.
If you wear red on an away mission, you’re screwed.
#72 The truth WILL set you free
#73 Ice cream is always in season.
#74 Anything over $15,000 in a car is just pure vanity
Amen to that one!
#74 A star is not born. He/she is made through hard work and determination.
#75 A life of personal responsibility is a life of fulfillment.
#76 Churchill was good.
#77 Hitler was bad.
#78 1 man + 1 woman = marriage.
– Kimmer
No joke! I’d extend as follows:
No matter if it’s a job opening for a CEO or a position digging ditches, you must show up for the interview looking like you WANT the job if you expect to get it.
Do the right thing for the right reasons – namely, because it’s the right thing to do.
As others have said, be thankful every day for the gifts God has given you.
Don’t sweat the small stuff, and if you have to ask yourself if something falls under the “small stuff” category, the answer is “yes.”
Pick your battles.
Don’t try to understand your spouse’s logic. You never will. Just demonstrate your love for them to yourself by rolling your eyes, smiling, and going along with whatever it is. Of course they’re not making any sense – why start now?!
Never be afraid to apologize when you’re wrong.
You can’t trust a Yankee fan.
This is all very well and humorous….but, the real truth is scary…many graduates of our new “government” schools are not learning what it takes to make it in the world…parents…do your job…because the schools won’t…I take at least an hour a night with my daughter to teach her about life, history and math…the only way to fix this is to have vouchers for ALL. The government school is like a dinosaur…big and outlived it’s usefulness….
Pay cash when you can, don’t rely on credit cards.
Single girls rarely live large as in “Sex & the City.”
Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan don’t matter.
All competitions, be it a little league soccer game, college acceptance or job application, have a winner and (at least one) loser.
Not everyone deserves a first place trophy.
Thank GOD for another successful launch of a space shuttle in Florida!!!
Always open the door for your girlfriend or wife.
Maybe you’ve forgotten God. But He hasn’t forgotten you.
One of my grandfathers favorites “always buy from a childs lemonade stand, they are the business leaders of tomorrow”.
#79. Remember – 1000 “attaboys” are wiped out by 1 “aw sh*t”
#80. That stuff about one shot at first impressions is real … make it a good one.
#81. Stand up for yourself … no one else will do it for you.
#82. When things don’t work out as you want … step back … make a new plan … and try again … and again … and again.
#83. Learn … math without a calculator or computer …
#84 When your day stinks, eat peanut butter.
Never draw to an inside straight
Money does not make one wealthy
If you’re eating a sh*t sandwich, you’ve probably spread the bread yourself.
`Whiskey on beer,never fear….beer on whiskey,kinda risky
From a song a few years back: “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.”
** Neatness is a form of sincerity.
** Ca-ca runs downhill.
** Learn to overcome your greatest enemy: You.
** When you point a finger there are 3 pointing back at you.
** Chew with your mouth closed. It will set you apart.
** B.O. isn’t attractive.
** Your mouth is the other opening of your digestive tract. So clean it everyday.
** Driving is a privilege, not a right.
** Control yourself or somebody else will.
** Say “Please”, “Thank-you”, and “You’re Welcome” with a smile.
** Smile. It’s free.
** When asked how you’re doing today, reply with a smile that if it got any better you’d have to be twins just to enjoy it all.
** Look skyward and say “Thanks” for your life.
** Hang in there just 30 seconds longer when you want to quit.
** Learning is a way of life, a means of survival.
** Respect your parents for keeping you alive when you couldn’t do it yourself.
** Prepare to meet your Creator with clean hands and straight eyes all of your life.
** Learn the difference between shame and guilt, fear and anger, sorrow and pain.
** Make friends with old people: they know more than you do.
** Treat others as you would have them treat you.
** Learn the miracle of compound interest.
** Learn the laws of money.
** Open your mind to math and science.
** Slow down. You’ll live longer.
** Find value in yourself.
** Face your flaws and limitations so you can grow.
** Study the chemical reaction of your body to sugars, fats, and proteins.
** Build your physical strength to set your mind free of fear.
** Speak softly and never let em see you coming.
** Remember your own kids will be your parents revenge.
Don’t steal cheese from Mighty Mouse
Don’t sword fight with Zorro
Don’t f*ck around with the Lone Ranger
The education system has failed. At the risk of offending an entire profession, when I go to Synagogues and speak to young people, I beg them not to become schoolteachers. They are in shock until I point out that as little as they cared, try teaching 50 of them.
The students of today are less educated because of those who are teaching them.
http://blacktygrrrr.wordpress.com/2007/03/17/destroying-the-jewish-people-one-schoolteacher-at-a-time/
Respectfully,
eric
You don’t tug on Superman’s cape
You don’t spit into the wind
You don’t pull the mask off the old Lone Ranger
And you don’t mess around with Jim.
Jim Croce
Never give up, never surrender!
Never wear brown shoes with a blue suit
“Don’t Eat Yellow Snow” Oldie but Goodie.
Family is Everything!
Why? They never worry about offending us!
#1 If you are going to spend 4 years in college, get an education.
NEVER stop learning.
Knowledge is good more knowledge is better.
Remember … when you think you have all the answers … someone will change the questions …
#??? don’t poop where you eat… (my grandmother’s favorite )
Do the right thing for no other reason that it is the right thing to do, even when you are the ONLY one who knows.
The above, and the #1 thing (Life’s not fair. Get used to it), is something I remind my 15-year old daughter on a daily basis.
#43: Don’t let the success of others depress you. We could add to that: BE HAPPY for those you know who may “have more” than you do; be pleased for them, it is no reflection on your own self-worth.
LASTLY – I am convinced that our children need to be reminded, and often, of just how much we here in this country have. A modest middle-class household in the USA is rich beyond the wildest dreams of most of the rest of the world. Our kids need to know this.
Admit it when you’re wrong. No excuses are needed. No explanations or waffling.
Always take responsibility for your actions right or wrong, learn from your mistakes and try not to repeat them, and never ever shoot a Polar Bear with a .22 caliber survival rifle. The reason they were removed from Air Force Survival kits. From what our instructor said the other option was to file the sight of the end of the barrel, because it wouldn’t hurt so much when the bear shoved it were the sun never shines (unless you’re doing head stands naked).
America is not perfect, but it’s better than anyplace else.
Soap , #34….like it….and #41 looked cool in High def.
“Use Sunscreen and a Condom”
uh aj… to do exactly what?
My dad used to sing to me the “don’t tug on Superman’s cape” song when I was a kid, and told me many times not to eat the yellow snow.
Wow, he was wiser than I thought, and glad I listened.
eric
http://www.blacktygrrrr.wordpress.com
The Yankees really are the best. The rest are jealous.
Lol Bear, not gunna go there…..
“Freedom of Speech does carry with it a right to be listened to.”
“Never, never, never give up!”
And remember that there is always someone cleverer than yourself.
And that’s ok.
When your boss tells you to do something, damnit, go do it.
To Blacktygrrrrrr…….
“The students of today are less educated because of those who are teaching them.”
That comment is not always the case. It can be due to poor parenting…kids having kids….too much “bureaucrazy”….and too much pressure to NOT discipline.
Dumbed down; thank you LIBS.
I know. Been there, done that.
No longer a teacher BECAUSE my ethics are above the liberal mentality.
And always remember, things take longer than they do.
“Measure Twice, Cut Once”
1. Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.
2. Monkey see, monkey do.
3. What goes around comes around – twice.
4. No such thing as a free ride; if you get one temporarily, there’s no dignity in it.
5. No pain, no gain.
6. Education is something that no one can take away from you.
7. Without GOD in your life, you are nothing.
8. Money IS the root of all evil.
9. There are evil people in this world.
10. No one owes you anything.
11. Birds of a feather flock together.
12. You cannot make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.
13. Class is not something you can buy. You either have it or you don’t.
If it looks like poo, smells like poo and tastes like poo……it must be poo.
Underwear and fat stomachs are not for public viewing.
Do not vote for democrats.
calamityville; it’s Demoncraps.
Much more appropriate, don’t cha think?
Gayle, I have to agree.
# whatever.
Adversity is opportunity.
LIFE IS the journey, daily. After school the finish line is death, enjoy the journey.
Fear is one of two things, losing what you have or not getting what you want.
And you cant control EITHER.
Sum up your beliefs with the first two words of the Lords Prayer.
Sports:
Always Hustle
Dont be a Sore Loser
Be a Humble Winner
And there’s no Crying in Baseball…
One for Bear….
“JUST WIN BABY”
– Freedom of Speech doesn’t mean you can’t shut up sometimes. When you’re listening, you may learn something.
– Know when to speak up and when to keep silent.
– Read every day. Once in a while try reading a type of book you normally wouldn’t.
Codicil to the above: Family shouldn’t be limited to blood relatives.
I have the pleasure of listening to Sykes every day at work. By all accounts, he’s a good man and a great conservative voice.
I can’t wait to get this book.
My advice:
Go to church at least once a week. It’s humbling and enriching and important.
There are three kinds of people in the world-
Wolves (Pure evil to the core)
Sheep (those that either ignore the wolves and pretend that they don’t exist)
and Sheepdogs-a person who is willing to lay their life down in defense of another human being without expecting any earthly reward in return.
—Examples: The US military; past, active, vets and their supporters!
“Dhimitude or Freedom-Your Choice!”
Always say “please” and “thank you”.
Behind every evil is a desire for money, power, or both.
The easy path is never the right one.
Live your life so that you’ll have no regrets on your deathbed.
Treat others the way you want to be treated.
Problems are nothing more than an opportunity to excel …
Remember … no matter how bad you think things are … someone … somewhere … has it worse …
Waste Not, Want not…..
I wonder if they still even teach the Golden Rule in school?
If you are looking for an excuse for failure, you will probably find one.
Wake up early; get out of bed.
Strive to be happy.
Go to bed; sleep.
Repeat as many times as possible.