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Close Encounters of the Third-Grade Kind: Thoughts on Teacherhood |  | Author: Phillip Done
Publisher: Center Street
List Price: $22.99
Buy New: $11.69
as of 11/21/2009 00:51 CST details
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Seller: a1books
Rating:  16 reviews
Sales Rank: 16357
Media: Hardcover
Pages: 336
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 8.4 x 5.7 x 1.2
ISBN: 1599951487
Dewey Decimal Number: 372.11
EAN: 9781599951485
ASIN: 1599951487
Publication Date: September 4, 2009
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
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 art of learning cursive and letter-writing, how kindergartners try to trap leprechauns, and what every child should experience before he or she grows up.
These charming, sweet, and funny tales of Mr. Done's trials and triumphs as an award-winning schoolteacher will touch readers' hearts and remind them of the true joys of childhood. We all have that one special, favorite grade school teacher whom we fondly remember throughout our adult lives - and every teacher also has students whom they will never forget. This is the perfect book for teachers, parents, and anyone else who is looking for a lighthearted, nostalgic read. (2009)
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 16
 Good, with some reservations November 5, 2009
Christy Pinheiro EA ABA (www.ChristyPinheiro.com, http://selfpublishingreview.blogspot.com)
Author Phillip Done is a third-grade teacher and this book, Close Encounters of the Third Grade Kind, takes us through a year of third grade. I thought the chapter headings were inventive-- having them match the months of the school year was a neat idea. The book itself is well written, but there are some drawbacks:
1. The chapter entitled "Kids" is basically just a list of things that kids do. Anyone who has children will be familiar with many of the things on the list, which includes things like: "When you hand kids a straw, they will blow off the wrapper". The book contains many of these "lists" which I thought were rather boring to read. In one chapter, "September" Done actually lists 33 variations of the spelling of "Dear Mom and Dad", which takes up the equivalent of an entire page. The section entitled "Field Trips" is also just a laundry list of things and I felt like this chapter could have been an opportunity for the author to inject a great story about a field trip.
2. The author swings wildly from using absolutely no dialogue to using ALL dialogue to describe an event. It's strange-- like the book was edited by two different people.
3. The author is at his best when he is telling stories, and the chapter entitled "The Tooth Fairy" is one of the best. The story of "Rebecca" is also very heart-warming.
This book is good, but I felt like some of the material was injected into the book as filler, and didn't really have a place in the narrative. Some of the stories are really great, though-- and the author even injects some of his own childhood memories into the book, all of which are fun to read. I think that if the book had been edited to be more like a James Herriot-style memoir, it would have been more enjoyable.
A Fun and Light-Hearted Read November 4, 2009
Jeremy J. Knutson (Richmond, VA)
Close Encounters of the Third Grade Kind: Thoughts on Teacherhood by Phillip Done (rhymes with phone) is a fun-filled look into the daily life of a third grade teacher.
With each chapter being it's own short story, Close Encounters of the Third Grade Kind: Thoughts on Teacherhood is an easy read. You don't have to worry about losing your place as you could pick it up and start just about anywhere for enjoyable lighthearted entertainment, without feeling like you've missed something. It reminded me of compilations such as the Chicken Soup for Your Soul series. There were moments in Close Encounters of the Third Grade Kind that brought tears to my eyes as I remembered special moments with the teachers of my childhood or was just reminded of the innocence of childhood. There were so many times I laughed at the author's recollection of a child's antics and thought "Been there!"
As a homeschool teacher to my kids and as a mom, I really enjoyed this book. It was nice to enjoy a clean, rarely serious look at life with kids. I can only imagine that this book would be an encouragement and fun read for any teacher. Phillip Done does an excellent job of creating a work of literature that not only entertains but reminds us of the importance of teachers.
fantastic book October 30, 2009
Tara of Tara's View of the World (Canada)
I loved Close Encounters of the Third-Grade Kind. It made me laugh and a few times brought tears to my eyes. I enjoyed the easy going style of the book. Done tells fabulous stories and his years of teaching experience are obvious. The book is set up to go from the beginning of the school year to the end, month by month. As a parent of a second grader I found it hilarious to read just how similar kids are. If you are a teacher than I bet you would love this book. Perhaps this would make a good gift for your child's teacher too!
Third gRade by Mr. Done-just remember it rhymes with phone October 5, 2009
Merry Weather (Ohio)
"A child may forget what you taught but will always remember how you made them feel."
Close Encounters of the Third-Grade Kind is a book almost anyone can identify with, in fact if you were ever a child you will probably love this book. As a parent it brought me back to a sweeter time when everything was new, Santa Claus was real and hurts could be fixed with a kiss and a band-aid.
The book is written in chapters following the months of the school calendar. September is for school photos, learning to write cursive and Teaching 101. February is the month that the 100th day of school is celebrated, with Phil coming up with yet one more thing that can be counted up to 100, personally I vote for tootsie rolls. Mr. Done tells us about students that will never be forgotten and volunteer work that many teachers give their time to, be sure to have tissues on hand for these. And honestly do all third graders draw a self-portrait and write their family history during the first days of school? I still have those tucked away in the attic somewhere and my kids are in their mid twenties.
This book should be required reading for teachers. For the lower grades to compare notes and for those in junior high and beyond it makes for a great reminder why one becomes a teacher. Close Encounters of the Third-Grade Kind is page by page memories of crayons, the smell of poster paint and what fun it was to discover life. I'd have to give this book a 5 gold star review.
Phillip Done gives you a peek into life with third graders - all the crazy moments, the fun and the laughs! September 30, 2009
M. Lapus (New York, NY)
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 division - all the while being a beloved force in the kids' lives.
Review:
Even if you think that you're not that fond of kids, this book will make you laugh. It might even encourage you to spend time with your nieces and nephews. If you have kids or love kids, I have no doubt that you'll love this book.
Phillip Done tells these stories of classroom antics so well, that not only do you feel that you're right there, you wish that you could follow him around. He reminds me of my favorite teachers and why I loved school. But the best part of the book are the children who come alive and the love that they show each other and their teacher. Read about Done's pistol assessments to determine which children to watch out for, how "pillow student" Rebecca was able to catch up with her classmates, how Done handles the tooth fairy and Halloween, and the different reading strategies that children have developed. Then enjoy the deep and uncomplicated laughs that burst out!
Publisher: Center Street (September 4, 2009), 336 pages.
Courtesy of the publisher.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 16
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