Jamaica and the Substitute Teacher

This book is another one of the Jamaica books that is my favorite. I presents a positive picture of a substitute teacher and also shows that cheating or copying on a test can be fixed and addresses the fact that students may feel the need to impress others by pressure of competition which causes issues such as cheating.

Jamaica was thrilled with her substitute teacher. She made learning fun, and even praised Jamaica for her intelligence and quick thinking. When it came for a spelling test, Jamaica panicked because she had forgotten to study. Unsure of one word's spelling, Jamaica made a decision she knew was wrong. Cheating is dishonest, and Jamaica knew it. Bravery and her conscience helped her admit her wrongdoing, and she realized perfect is something she doesn't have to be.

This is a book about Jamaica and her desire to impress her new substitute teacher, Mrs. Duval. She was so determined, in fact, that she ends up cheating on her spelling test! She finds the courage to tell Mrs. Duval the truth, citing that she was trying to be special. Mrs. Duval replies with "you don't have to be perfect to be special in my class, you're already special".

A great story to read to teach children about bravery and being courageous enough to correct the mistakes made in the heat of a moment.

Young Jamaica is eager to impress the new substitute teacher in this sweet book right from many of our own childhoods. When Jamaica is even caught cheating, she demonstrates honesty in even the hardest times which is so refreshing for our young audience members. The illustrator did a great job drawing my eyes to the foal point of each page with his use of horizontal lines.

Jamaica has a substitute teacher. She starts of the day by finding the object in the scavenger hunt. She is praised for her success and is informed that she can hide the object the next day. Jamaica does well in her reading group and again receives praise. Then, the substitute announces the spelling test that Jamaica forgets to study for. She does well, except she can't remember how to spell one word. She copies it from her friend and ends up with a 100. She feels guilty and tells Ms. Duval that she copied the last word. This is a good book to read to students to teach them about honesty.

Jamaica has a substitute teacher and she wants to be perfect in her class. During her spelling test she she copied off of her friend for a word. When the teacher didn't see her test in the pile she questioned Jamaica. Jamaica ends up tell the teacher the truth about the test. This is a great book to teach children to tell the truth.

I think this is a good, picture book about student/teacher relationships.