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221st out of 559 books
—
131 voters
32 Third Graders and One Class Bunny: Life Lessons from Teaching
by
Phillip Done
Phillip Done fixes staplers that won't staple, zippers that won't zip, and pokes pins in the caps of glue bottles that will not pour. He has sung "Happy Birthday" 657 times. A witness to the joys of discovery, Done inspires readers with the everyday adventures and milestones of his 32 third graders in this irresistible collection of bite-sized essays. From the nervous firs...more
Hardcover, 304 pages
Published
July 19th 2005
by Touchstone
(first published January 1st 2005)
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This author stopped by the library where I work. It is a professional library for educators. During a conversation, he mentioned he was the author of this book. We certainly felt it appropriate to buy the book for our collection since he is a local teacher and author. What a treat! It is a clever, insightful, authentic book full of fun stories. Even if you are not a teacher, you will enjoy this book, but if you are a teacher, I would imagine this book would be good for your soul. My personal fav...more
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I've always had this small desire in me to teach and someday, I will probably (hope to, at least) teach- middle school English would be my dream. That said, this book is not just for aspiring teachers. It is for everyone. Why? Because we have all been through elementary school and all people (unless you're heatless) appreciate the humor that is found abundantly in children.
Phillip Done crafts a wonderful telling of his experiences teaching third grade, and he does it with humor and enthusiasm th...more
Phillip Done crafts a wonderful telling of his experiences teaching third grade, and he does it with humor and enthusiasm th...more
Thirty Two Reasons to Read and One to Love
A review of Thirty Two Third Graders and One Class Bunny by Philip Done
Philip Done, an elementary school teacher in California, breaks the ice between parents teachers and students in this wildly hilarious memoir entitled Thirty Two Third Graders and One Class Bunny. He tells the captivating story of a year of teaching a third grade class, cleverly weaving in his childhood and previous years of teaching. He has won numerous awards for his teaching inclu...more
A review of Thirty Two Third Graders and One Class Bunny by Philip Done
Philip Done, an elementary school teacher in California, breaks the ice between parents teachers and students in this wildly hilarious memoir entitled Thirty Two Third Graders and One Class Bunny. He tells the captivating story of a year of teaching a third grade class, cleverly weaving in his childhood and previous years of teaching. He has won numerous awards for his teaching inclu...more
1 like · like · see review
If you have not read this book, you need to immediately purchase it from Amazon. It is such a good read for parents, students, especially teachers. I started reading it a few weeks ago, and even though I am not a teacher (just a teacher assistant), I instantly related with half of the things Mr. Done comments about. His stories are so funny that before I knew it I was finding my classroom teacher at her desk, doubled over with laughter because she had sneaked a peek at one of the stories between...more
This was a light-hearted account of stories from an experienced teacher. It had me laughing out loud and repeating "so true..." on almost every page.
There were a couple of places where I got a little upset with the author for diminishing some of the values in teaching that I hold dear, such as teaching students how to set their own goals and take part in developing classroom norms. I loved the book up until the point when Done started making flippant remarks about these things. Maybe I took it...more
There were a couple of places where I got a little upset with the author for diminishing some of the values in teaching that I hold dear, such as teaching students how to set their own goals and take part in developing classroom norms. I loved the book up until the point when Done started making flippant remarks about these things. Maybe I took it...more
I downloaded this and a few other books to take with me on vacation. It was a good, heartwarming non-fiction piece that borders on comedy. The 3rd grade teacher who wrote this book has such an amazing good sense of humor throughout the book. He offers a comical insight into his life as a teacher and the children he encounters throughout his years of teaching. It is a very light/easy read that will make you smile as you read it. Also, while reading this book you will happily think back to the tim...more
It was love at first sight. This book was sitting on a table at my favorite used book store. I picked it up. It spoke to me from page 86. I hate writing sub plans. By the time I've written everything down for the substitute, I might as well have stayed at school and taught myself. It takes me hours just to write down where everything is, who is on medication, who is allergic to what, who should not sit next to whom, where everyone needs to go for ESL and learning resource and speech and detentio...more
Finished this one. Then my kids stole it and the older two read it this weekend. We all laughed around the dinner table about the funny stories. Not many books make it through the whole family. Thoroughly enjoyable read. I heard he has another book out. I'll be on the lookout.
Earlier review:
Hilarious!! A book written by a seasoned third grade teacher and about all the antics of his classroom. He is sensitive too. As I read the book it makes me see what a different breed school teachers are. If o...more
Earlier review:
Hilarious!! A book written by a seasoned third grade teacher and about all the antics of his classroom. He is sensitive too. As I read the book it makes me see what a different breed school teachers are. If o...more
Sep 29, 2009
Lisa Nelson
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Teachers, Parents, Grandparents, PTA
Shelves:
education,
non-fiction
This book called out to me off the library shelf, mostly because I have a third grader. I thought I would read it over the month during filler times when I was waiting in the pick-up line at school. Instead, I read the book in two days. I felt like a third grader begging Mr. Done for, "One more story please." I can not remember the last time I laughed so hard reading a book, and it made me tear up a couple of times too. I hope they need a good Dentist in Mountain View, California because we migh...more
I work at an Elementary School as a reading tutor and at home as a flute teacher. I'm not sure if this book would hit home as much to someone who doesn't teach children as it did to me. However, anyone who has been a student would surely relate to the classroom humor described throughout this book. I am grateful for Phillip Done, for his love of teaching and for his ability to put into words a perfect overview of teaching children and a description of "the big picture". The big picture is so eas...more
Feb 26, 2009
Lauren
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
teachers or those who love teachers
Shelves:
non-fiction
i love this book. if you're a teacher, were a teacher, ever want to be a teacher, or know a teacher well... read this book. so candid and honest and hilarious and real. phillip done is one of the best kind of teachers. he knows how to laugh at himself, is honest with his shortcomings, and most of all loves his students. if i wasn't already doing a whole lot of teaching at home, this book would have had me back in the classroom. it's really that good. please read it. i only didn't give it 5 stars...more
If you are a teacher, you must read this book! Phillip done writes about the daily adventures of teaching 3rd graders. He also discusses the many events that take place during the school year including back to school night, parent teacher conferences, and holiday parties. His true stories will have you laughing hysterically. If you are a teacher, you will see yourself in this book and easily relate to many of the stories that he tells! An excellent read and a terrific example of a book that can...more
this book is about a teacher named mr.done and hes giving us his experience about being a teacher .hes like showing us how he had been with 32 third graders which he didnt wanted to have .hes says its to much for him but he gets it over and actually know steps and learning how to like control the class. he has said many things over .he knows when a actually when the kid is going to scream ,ask a questions or has something.this book is like a book you will never forget becuase it is like true and...more
Can I rate this MORE than five? EVERYONE needs to read this book! Yes, teachers will appreciate it and recognize some of the same things they have said and done at some point in their teaching career, but parents, businesses and most of all, elected political officials need to read this. Even though Mr. Done has written and portrayed a very humorous view ( albeit true) view of one year in his life as a veteran teacher, people that make laws regarding public education would be well suited to be a...more
Apr 01, 2011
Karin
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Shelves:
nonfiction,
teachers,
teaching,
education,
funny,
rabbits,
children,
borrowed-from-the-library
Phillip Done has been teaching for over 20 years, and he still seems to like kids. His reflections on his career, classroom, and students are insightful and amusing. Short chapters detail his experiences over the year as he goes from welcoming his new class (and frantic bargaining with the school’s principal to transfer kids into other classrooms – he’s got 32 kids, and 21 of them are boys, ACK!), teaching them everything they’ll need to get to the 4th grade and other important life lessons. The...more
i read this book for my teacher book club. you don't need to be a teacher to appreciate the stories, but it does help to remind a teacher why (s)he is in the profession.
the stories are cute, made me smile. only one or two made me really laugh out loud. the book is divided into maybe 30 different stories. that made it an easy book to read in many short sittings. (my favorite kind of book)
i recommend it for someone who wants a cute, funny, brainless, and quick read.
the stories are cute, made me smile. only one or two made me really laugh out loud. the book is divided into maybe 30 different stories. that made it an easy book to read in many short sittings. (my favorite kind of book)
i recommend it for someone who wants a cute, funny, brainless, and quick read.
A friend told me I should read this and loaned me her copy. It started out feeling a bit like a Hallmark book--saccharine and emotionally charged. I need to give my greeting card disclaimer--I think they are basically phony. But I kept reading because sometimes I'm stubborn that way. So so glad I did. Marvelous feel good "Let me back at those little beasts!" kind of book. God bless teachers one and all...
As an elementary school teacher for twenty years author Phillip Done seems to have seen it all, and he's got the stories to prove it. The book is divided into four sections covering the different seasons with short chapters so it's an extremely quick read. Intermixed with stories about children he had in the past and his current students are stories from his own childhood. Anyone who has worked with children can relate to this book.
like it says on the dust jacket this book is for anyone who is a teacher or who was ever a third grader. I laughed out loud through most of the short essays and had to read some to my co-workers. I identified with Done and you don't have to have taught for twenty years to understand what he is talking about. I too have had names ruined completely because of children who bare them. And I vow right here and now to never have a class rabbit!
I read this book while I was teaching my first year of 3rd grade. It's such a realistic and humorous look at teaching that age group. It made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me relate and there were some late nights where it made me realize that I wasn't alone in what was happening. I think it transcends age groups, at least at an elementary level, and EVERY new teacher K-6 should read this book.
Funny!!! However, so true. This is an easy, hilarious book to read that will put all the trials and tribulations of teaching in perfect harmony with all of the more positive and rewarding reasons we continue to love our jobs! Written by a male with 20 years of experience and any teacher could relate to his humorous way of describing a year in the classroom!
I found this book inspiring me to become a teacher again. However, i havent decided to sign up for a masters just yet. I thought it was great though. easy read and it kept me engaged and laughing. anyone can related to it. if you have been a teacher or a student or a parent or a kid, this book will crack you up and leave you feeling good
This is hands-down the best "feel good" book for teachers. It's not preachy, it's not a "build-you-up" type of book - rather it's a "I've been there and I know exactly what you go through. Let's laugh it through!"
If you have been or currently are a teacher, this book will pull at your heartstrings and tug at your funny bone!
If you have been or currently are a teacher, this book will pull at your heartstrings and tug at your funny bone!
I intended to read "Close Encounters of the Third-Grade Kind," but my library doesn't have it yet. So I read this, the first book by Phillip Done, and loved it! I posted a short review on my blog: http://10000thingsthatmakemehappy.blo...
Looking forward to the next book!
Looking forward to the next book!
I've been really depressed this school year; that depression is being reflected in my teaching. I pulled this book out of the humor section of my personal library to inspire me.
I laughed. I cried. I nodded in understanding. This book touches the heart of teaching and teachers. I would heartily recommend it to parents, students, teachers, and teachers-to-be.
My favorite story: Snoopy.
I laughed. I cried. I nodded in understanding. This book touches the heart of teaching and teachers. I would heartily recommend it to parents, students, teachers, and teachers-to-be.
My favorite story: Snoopy.
This was a sweet collection of stories from a teacher. I laughed because I know exactly where he was coming from, and it's nice to hear other teacher stories. Also, it was nice to hear it from a man's perspective because most teaching books I've read like this are from a woman teacher. It was a great read, thanks to the antics of Mr. Done's third graders!
For anyone who ever thinks they want to be a teacher, read this book first. I am a teacher and this book was like talking to other teacher's in the lunch room. This book is hilarious and everything that happens sounds like something that I, myself, or a fellow teacher in my building has done or been put through.
This book is really funny! I didn't like the style as much as the other one. His other book really made me appreciate my job and inspire me to be a better teacher. This book just made me laugh. I did like a quote from the book jacket though. It said that the promise of elementary schools can be an antidote to the cynicism of our times. I thought that was interesting. It really made me think about how I view my job and its purpose.
What an incredible collection of essays about teaching! As a first-year teacher I sometimes wonder if my experiences are unique. Phillip Done does a fantastic job of showing teachers that they are not alone. I wish I could meet the man who wrote this book and spend a day in his classroom.
Oct 31, 2009
Kelly
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
parent, teacher, anyone who likes to read
Recommended to Kelly by:
Lisa
I totally agree with Lisa. I am ready to move to California so Mr. Done can be my kids teacher. He is so great. I am so greatful for my teachers and for my kids teachers. This week I was parent teacher conference and was reminded of the part of this book where the parents explained why Ttheir child was the way they were. ie .. Lizzie's procrastination. Too true. This book is light, warm and fun.
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Phillip Done knows it is a child’s birthday without looking at the calendar, that broken candy canes do not taste as good as unbroken ones, that peanut M&Ms spark in the microwave (Peeps do not), and that measuring the diameter of an Oreo cookie is more fun than measuring the diameter of a coffee can lid. After pumping up his 500th red rubber ball, he decided it was time to write it all down....more
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“The main reason I became a teacher is that I like being the first one to introduce kids to words and music and people and numbers and concepts and idea that they have never heard about or thought about before. I like being the first one to tell them about Long John Silver and negative numbers and Beethoven and alliteration and "Oh, What a Beautiful Morning" and similes and right angles and Ebenezer Scrooge. . . Just think about what you know today. You read. You write. You work with numbers. You solve problems. We take all these things for granted. But of course you haven't always read. You haven't always known how to write. You weren't born knowing how to subtract 199 from 600. Someone showed you. There was a moment when you moved from not knowing to knowing, from not understanding to understanding. That's why I became a teacher.”
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