Third grade teacher Phillip Done (rhrymes with phone)writes a hilarious account of what goes on in the grade school classroom. There are funny stories about buying school supplies, the children learning what teacher they have been assigned to and whether their friends are in their class, the art of learning cursive and letter-writing and how the children try to play tricks on their teachers. The author also recalls many of his own grade school memories.

Here's a sample:

"The Taught Me That When I Am Reading A Book To The Childrean And Ask Them To Predict What Will Happen Next, It Is Entirely Possible That One Child Will Desregard My Question Completely And Announce That She Can See The Skin Above My Sock And That My Leg Is Hairy."
There are also some very sad stories that caused me to tear up and I had to stop for a few minutes before I could continue reading. One was of a boy in the hospital who Mr. Done visited. They would sing songs together and it lifted the boys spirits. Another was of a boy who helped him prepare Christmas packages for the needy, and his ended up being one of the homes Mr. Done took a package too.

So many great memories keep popping into my head while reading this book. I loved every page, every paragraph, every sentence. And most important, many times the teacher did acts that show how much he loves the children and teaching. This is a great book for teachers, parents, students and anyone who wants a book that will make you laugh out loud many many times. ( )

"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. ( )

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. ( )

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 about all his third grade adventures.

He begins with right before school begins, with the summer ending, and each section is a different month of the school year. Everything from Back to School Night, where the seasoned teachers know to hide from the excitable students and their talkative parents, to never letting your profession slip while buying school supplies to the dreaded Picture Day.

I found myself chuckling with reminders of my own school days - - the plastic combs given out on Picture Day, the show and tell (or what is now called "Sharing"), learning cursive writing, adventurous spelling and those crushes on classmates.

If you get nothing else out of this book, the memories are worth reading it alone. I dare you to read this book and not remember your own third grade teacher, or the best friend you had, a favorite outfit from that school year or the little boy (or girl) you had a crazy crush on.

Well done, Mr. Done. ( )

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 Chicken" who first taught me the joys of the minds of young ones. Mr. Done has done a grand job continuing that legacy. What a grand teacher he must be! I would wish him on every third grader!

I am so glad i got to read this book for all the joy it gave me. I feel lighter than air and ready to hug all teachers and read to a bunch of little kids one of my favorite children's books. ( )