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Close Encounters of the Third-Grade Kind: Thoughts on Teacherhood
by
Phillip Done
A twenty-year veteran of the classroom, elementary school teacher Phillip Done takes readers through a lively and hilarious year in the classroom. Starting with the relative calm before the storm of buying school supplies and posting class lists, he shares the distinct personalities of grades K-4, what he learned from two professional trick or treating 8-year-old boys, the...more
Hardcover, 336 pages
Published
September 4th 2009
by Center Street
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Synopsis:
An elementary school teacher for over 20 years, Phillip Done takes us through a funny and adventure packed year in the classroom. Beginning with the back-to-school sales and preparations in August and going through each month's lessons and highlights, Phillip Done shares the delights and laughs that have kept him satisfied in his job. He's taken trick-or-treating by students, taught children to trap leprechauns, showed them how to master cursive and compose letters, and taught long divi...more
An elementary school teacher for over 20 years, Phillip Done takes us through a funny and adventure packed year in the classroom. Beginning with the back-to-school sales and preparations in August and going through each month's lessons and highlights, Phillip Done shares the delights and laughs that have kept him satisfied in his job. He's taken trick-or-treating by students, taught children to trap leprechauns, showed them how to master cursive and compose letters, and taught long divi...more
I believed I won this book from a contest that I randomly entered. I probably wouldn't have picked up this book on my own, but I'm so glad I got the chance to read it. Close Encounters of the Third-Grade Kind will make you laugh out loud, reminiscent of elementary school days. You may even get a bit emotional. Phillip Done does an outstanding job writing about what it has been like teaching third grade over the years.
One of the things that I loved about this book (I guess you could call it a mem...more
One of the things that I loved about this book (I guess you could call it a mem...more
What can I say about Phillip Done's recounting of his elementary school teaching years except that it was a fun, fulfilling read?
Mr. Done's writing is what I assume his teaching style to be like - - lighthearted, humorous and entertaining. I was drawn into his book from the first page, partly out of curiosity for the teaching profession and partly due to his "getting to know you" style. I can imagine that reading Mr. Done's book is akin to sitting down with him over dinner and letting him talk...more
Mr. Done's writing is what I assume his teaching style to be like - - lighthearted, humorous and entertaining. I was drawn into his book from the first page, partly out of curiosity for the teaching profession and partly due to his "getting to know you" style. I can imagine that reading Mr. Done's book is akin to sitting down with him over dinner and letting him talk...more
After reading a Gothic, ghostly tale and two Civil War themed books, i was having much trouble getting into a A Separate Country, another book stemming from the Civil War. That was when I picked up "Close Encounters of the Third Grade Kind" by Phillip Done.
What a joyous read for anyone who can remember being a third grader, parents of a third grader, teachers, would be teachers ….oh, just anyone who enjoys young kids. I think it was Bennet Surf that wrote the book "Never Get Personal with a Chic...more
What a joyous read for anyone who can remember being a third grader, parents of a third grader, teachers, would be teachers ….oh, just anyone who enjoys young kids. I think it was Bennet Surf that wrote the book "Never Get Personal with a Chic...more
Mr. Done, can I be in YOUR class?
Close Encounters of the Third-Grade Kind: Thoughts on Teacherhood is a celebration of those silly little creatures roaming the halls of our elementary schools.
Anyone who teaches grade-schoolers, parents grade-schoolers, or once was a grade-schooler will love this book by teacher, Phillip Done (rhymes with phone). It is a lesson on why teachers love their jobs -- trust me, it's not because of all the down time! The reason why Mr. Done loves his job? The kids, and...more
Close Encounters of the Third-Grade Kind: Thoughts on Teacherhood is a celebration of those silly little creatures roaming the halls of our elementary schools.
Anyone who teaches grade-schoolers, parents grade-schoolers, or once was a grade-schooler will love this book by teacher, Phillip Done (rhymes with phone). It is a lesson on why teachers love their jobs -- trust me, it's not because of all the down time! The reason why Mr. Done loves his job? The kids, and...more
Loved 32 Third-Graders and One Class Bunny, also by Phillip Done, so I just had to read this one. Both are wonderfully engaging stories from Mr. Done's classroom teaching experiences. When he was a student teacher, his college professor required him to keep a journal. He did. And he continued throughout his teaching career. Those daily notes and journal entries grew and grew over his career and turned into priceless memories that he incorporated into his books.
Phillip Done books about life in hi...more
Phillip Done books about life in hi...more
Phillip Done has done it again! This book is full of adorable, hilarious and heart wrenching tales of "teacherhood." It is a must read for anyone who works with children or has children. Phillip does a phenomenal job of describing the love/hate relationship all teachers have with their profession. Moving throughout the days enjoying silly sayings and chaotic moments, while dealing with the seriousness of teaching students who grow up, deal with real-life struggles and sometimes even leave us too...more
To all my teacher friends out there, this book is an absolute must read! It is absolutely perfect for teachers. Phillip Done (pronounced like "phone") does a great job of sharing his thoughts on teaching. His third graders are funny, cute, and wise beyond their years. If anyone of you teachers out there keeps a quote book like I do of funny things kids say, keep adding to it, because someday you can write a book just like Phil's. Done is a great writer, humorous and witty. There are only some pe...more
I'm a little embarrassed... I actually read most of this book last year. Actually, all but the last 20 pages. I sincerely apologize to Mr. Done for letting this one go for so long. I can plead that life interrupted, but that's not true, as you can see by all the other reviews I've written. *sigh*
Anyway. If you haven't picked this up yet--seriously, do it. It is such a charmingly humorous book about children--interacting with, observing, teaching (or trying to!); you will laugh out loud, giggle,...more
Anyway. If you haven't picked this up yet--seriously, do it. It is such a charmingly humorous book about children--interacting with, observing, teaching (or trying to!); you will laugh out loud, giggle,...more
I totally enjoyed Phillip Done’s, “Close Encounters of a Third-Grade Kind: Thoughts on Teacherhood,” and highly recommend it for anyone teaching elementary school and anyone with kids that age. Mr. Done is the kind of teacher parents dream of for their kids and that kids remember with deep fondness. His writing is full of hilarious anecdotes, heartfelt moments, and the wisdom of his experience.
An interesting side note: I found this book because I recognized the name. From my grade school years u...more
An interesting side note: I found this book because I recognized the name. From my grade school years u...more
Loved this book - totally heartfelt and a great, quick read as we get ready to send the kiddos back to school. After three months of summer vacation, I feel like I should give a medal to the teachers who have our kids for nine months out of the year! A great reminder of how lucky we are to have amazing teachers in our lives! Recommended.
I can't count how many times while I was reading this book I started laughing out loud. It brought back memories of when I was in grade school, and my teachers. I liked how the book was divided into the months of the school year. This is filled with tips for new teachers, and is a must read for all teachers.
Elementary School Teachers, especially K-3, will love this book. It covers the lighter side of teaching and some of the tender moments. An easy read, perfect for summer or to get your mind off all the politics of teaching and remind teachers why we chose this profession.
This is a very delightful little book that will keep anyone that has children or grandchildren chuckling for hours. And if you are a teacher of any kind, you will really relate! Phillip Done has found the joy of third graders and how they have kept him young and joyous all these years. A great read for anyone.
Absolutely wonderful! This book was every bit as funny as '32 Third Graders and One Class Bunny', but it was also a little more reflective and thought-provoking. I enjoyed this one very much and would definitely recommend it to my coworkers.
Love him!! He makes me remember why I love teaching and after reading (or during reading) his books I stop and "smell the roses" a little more during the day (by smell the roses I mean watch the kids be kids).
I cannot emphasize with enough FORCE what a magical book 32 Third-Graders and One Class Bunny is. I nearly fell over when I discovered Done has written another book. I cannot wait to read it.
"Teacherhood is laughing at knock-knock jokes you've heard three-hundred times." Strongly Disagree with this advice.
There is a dedicated and intelligent and warm and frazzled teacher behind this book (he devises a way for Rebecca to gain confidence to read aloud) but the greater take-away is the frazzle. Mr. Done hides from and and dodges embarrassing questions asked by his students. He is also a messy.
"I am thankful for my brain for making new dreams everyday." A student's Thanksgiving quote.
There is a dedicated and intelligent and warm and frazzled teacher behind this book (he devises a way for Rebecca to gain confidence to read aloud) but the greater take-away is the frazzle. Mr. Done hides from and and dodges embarrassing questions asked by his students. He is also a messy.
"I am thankful for my brain for making new dreams everyday." A student's Thanksgiving quote.
I loved this book! It reminded me what teaching is all about. I wish that I had wrote down all of the funny things that my class has said. I am going to start doing that.
A light laugh-out-loud read. Done is an excellent story teller and you don't need to be a teacher to enjoy his books. As a matter of fact, I recommend it for any parent with school-aged children. You will develop a greater appreciation for our educators.
Nov 30, 2009
Tanya
added it
I liked his first book, "32 Third Graders and One Class Bunny" better. But this was still fun. Lots of cute anecdotes that I, as a 3rd grade teacher, enjoy and identify with.
I loved this book!!! It reminded me of my elementary years and made me appreciate (even more) how great teachers are and how much they actually teach our future generations!
Hilarious. Mr. Done has taught 3rd grade for many years and he positively nails what it is like to teach 3rd grade, and what 3rd graders are like.
Very pleasurable book and I say FIVE STARS absolutely for elementary teachers. This makes a great gift book for Christmas and I really enjoyed it.
This book is great! I was asked to go read it somewhere else because I was bothering others in the room by laughing aloud at every page.
Made me laugh out loud and remember all the fun things about being a teacher! Funny, he never mentioned RTI in this book??
I laughed, I cried. A completely charming and great little book. Highly recommend for any parents of elementary school kids.
Another great book by a great guy. Had a chance to exchange emails with him regarding things to expect while teaching.
I think I liked his second book better than his first. It didn't have bad language. I can recommend it.
A humerous look at life in the 3rd grade. Fun for teachers, people who love children.
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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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