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 ...
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Jan 01, 2009
Dollie
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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 perso
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Dec 16, 2009
Alina
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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 awar 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 awar More...
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Nov 11, 2011
Taylor
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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
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May 31, 2010
Caitlin
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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 th 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 th More...
Sep 29, 2011
D
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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 t
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May 26, 2011
Sharon
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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 de
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Jan 11, 2010
Chanin
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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 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 More...
Sep 29, 2009
Lisa
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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
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Mar 26, 2010
Karen
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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 pic
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Feb 26, 2009
Lauren
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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
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Jun 05, 2011
Diane
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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
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Nov 30, 2010
Orali
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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
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Sep 15, 2011
Jenny
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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
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Apr 01, 2011
Barky
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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.
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Jun 16, 2010
Sarah
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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.
Aug 15, 2010
Elizabeth
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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.
May 04, 2009
Elis
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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!
Jul 16, 2010
Maggie
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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!
Aug 01, 2011
Cherish
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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
Dec 12, 2011
JoBeth
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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!
Jan 18, 2011
Missy
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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.blogsp...
Looking forward to the next book!
Looking forward to the next book!
Sep 19, 2011
Laura
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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.
Jun 26, 2011
Anna
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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!
Jan 03, 2012
Karen
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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
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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.
May 13, 2009
Boston
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If you are an elementary teacher, you will just have to love this book. I laughed until tears were coming out of my eyes quite a few times. Of course I had just finished my first year of teaching, so that made it even funnier (because I had lived through so many of the stories).
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Mar 23, 2010
Aimee
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This is an easy read and it's delightful! There were some laugh out loud moments (always cool when a book can make you laugh out loud). It is a sort of memoir of a teacher and everything he writes is exactly how things are! He thinks of everything!! I enjoyed it a lot!
Nov 01, 2009
Danielle
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Pretty amusing. His writing style (abrupt, list-like, and self-glorifying in the guise of self-deprecation) got a little tiresome, but it's practically over before it begins, so you don't have much time to be annoyed. Plus (in my opinion) the entertaining anecdotes of being a third-grade teacher more than made up for it.
Elementary school teachers are awesome. Their jobs are basically an act of service, considering how little they're paid. Yay, school teachers!
Elementary school teachers are awesome. Their jobs are basically an act of service, considering how little they're paid. Yay, school teachers!
Apr 30, 2009
Anne-Michelle
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Super cute, adorable book. A very fast read that's ideal for parents of young or school-aged children to get them prepared for what's in store in elementary school! Lots of cute, short stories about this teacher's year with a class full of 3rd graders. Each chapter is 1-2 pages long; perfect for people who don't have a lot of time to dedicate toward reading or who only pick up a book every now and then and don't want to try and remember where they left off.
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Jan 03, 2009
Carol
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I loved this book. Made me remember why I loved teaching so much. 8 year olds are some of the funniest people you'll ever meet. Definite read for anyone who has ever taught elementary school. For those of you who haven't, read it and see what you missed.
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