Close Encounters of the Third-Grade Kind: Thoughts on Teacherhood

by Phillip Done

Book Overview

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... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1599951487
• ISBN13: 9781599951485
• Release Date: September 2009
• Publisher: Center Street
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.0" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Third Grade Relived is a Good Thing

I just finished Phil Done's latest book and it didn't disappoint. As a 37 year veteran of a third grade classroom, I can verify that Phil understands third graders and other teachers like no other author I have ever read. From field trips to teaching how to fill out a bubble test form (and how perfectly right on he was in that chapter!), his observations could have been mine. It's as if he was standing in my classroom and not his. I laughed, I cried and I had to share "good parts" with my husband. This is a sign of a good book. Mr. Done's students are so lucky to have him as a teacher, and we are so lucky that he is able to share his life with us through his writing. This is a perfect gift for a teacher, and I'm giving it as a gift to a student teacher. You should do the same.

Simply Wonderful!!!

Having read and thoroughly enjoyed Mr. Done's previous tome, "32 Third Graders and One Class Bunny: Life Lessons from Teaching," I was enthusiastically awaiting this book. Well, after having devoured it in a few short days, I have to say that I think I loved this one even more! Being an elementary school teacher myself, I could thoroughly relate to the anecdotes, stories, lessons, and touching moments that fill the pages up. Mr. Done is as gifted a writer as he is obviously a teacher. How wonderful to put onto paper the experiences that o many of us go through day in and day out, usually with no other adult around to share! Teaching is a wonderful profession even though our kids, parents, administrators and colleagues sometimes drive us bonkers. I am also convinced that parents will love this book to as it gives a glimpse (well, more than a glimpse :) into our classrooms! Great job Mr. Done. I look forward to the next book!

Charming and Creative

Wow Phillip....I went to school with Phillip, sat next to him in the band. Competed for first chair clarinet. It is so refreshing to see one of our High School classmates do something so wonderful, as to share their career with us. I read the first book in one sitting, and am working on, and almost done with the next one. I run my own dayare out of my home, and can really relate to a lot of the things in the book. Plus eventhough it was many, many years ago since I was in third grade, the books bring back so many memories. Very creative, to the point truthful, and fun books to read. Love the books Phil....can't wait for the next!!!! Thanks for Sharing!!!!

Funny, touching, beautiful storytelling

Thirteen years ago, I shouted "I got Mr. Done!" as I read my name off a list posted on the walls of my elementary school. Every weekend of fifth grade I would go over to my best friend's house and regale her family with the most recent stories he had told us, which she asks me to recount to this day. "Close Encounters of the Third-Grade Kind" reminded me of how enchanting a good story can be, whether you're ten or twenty-two (which is as far as my life memory goes- but as another reviewer demonstrates, these enchanting stories do not end at twenty-two, either). This book made me wish I was a teacher, to get to witness those moments of discovery and absurdity in hundreds of children's lives, year after year. Unfortunately, it was not meant to be, but Phil Done's vivid writing allows me to live vicariously through his experiences. I also wish I could go back and be in his class again, and I only hope that my children's teachers understand teaching and children as deeply as Phillip Done. Reading the book on the subway in New York City, I laughed out loud and cried multiple times. Even when I knew when the next joke is on its way, the punchline was always funnier than I expected because, as he shows time and time again, you can never anticipate what a child is going to say. If you have ever wanted to be a teacher, have children, want to remember what it's like to be eight years old, or just want some masterful storytelling, read this book!

Puts a smile on your face, and warms your heart!

As a mother of 3 ( my middle child is entering 3rd grade this year) and former teacher I smiled and laughed throughout the book, saying to myself, "that is so true!" Done's impressive skills at turning many daily events into teachable moments, amazes me! My husband, who's read both books as well, read Close Encounters of the Third-Grade Kind ahead of me mentioned the "Angel" chapter was sad. My husband isn't much of an emotional person, so I had to skip ahead to find out what he meant. Amid all the light-hearted chapters, this one gave a heavy dose of reality. I was touched on how eloquently Mr. Done wrote on a very heartbreaking event that occurred with one of his students, I really felt a connection with the author more than ever. Having read Mr. Done's first book, 32 Third Graders and One Class Bunny: Life Lessons from Teaching, I had said that if I were to read one author's books for the rest of my life, Phillip Done's books would be them!