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Learn Me Good
"Jack Woodson has forty children, and all of them have different mothers..."Jack Woodson was a thermal design engineer for four years until he was laid off from his job. Now, as a teacher, he faces new challenges. Conference calls have been replaced with parent conferences. Product testing has given way to standardized testing. Instead of business cards, Jack now passes out report cards. The only thing that hasn't changed noticeably is the maturity level of the people surrounding him all day.Learn Me Good is Jack's hilarious retelling of his harrowing rookie year, written as a series of emails to Fred Bommerson, his former engineering coworker. Inspired by real-life experiences of rambunctious and precocious children, lesson plans gone awry, and incredibly outrageous quotes, this laugh a minute page turner will give you a new appreciation for educators. Jack holds a March Mathness tournament, he faces a child's urgent declaration of "My bowels be runnin'!", and he mistakenly asks one girl's mother if she is her brother. With subject lines such as "Irritable Vowel Syndrome," "In math class, no one can hear you scream," and "I love the smell of Lysol in the morning,"Jack fills each email with sarcastic (yet loving) humor, insightful observations, and plenty of irreverent wit. If you've ever taught, you will undoubtedly recognize aspects of your own students in Jack's classroom. If you've never set foot in a classroom, you will still appreciate the funny quirks, behaviors, and quotes from the kids and adults alike."I teach, therefore I am...poor!"
214 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 28, 2006
About the author
John Pearson
5 books48 followersJohn Pearson was born just outside of Washington, DC, but moved to Texas as quickly as he could. Growing up with a passion for math, science,and calculator watches, he obtained engineering degrees and basketball(watching) accolades from Duke University and Texas A&M. His first job out of college was designing small solid-state heat pumps, where his cubicle simply was not big enough to contain him. When the engineering market went sour, he decided to try his hand as a teacher, and he educated one diverse group of kids after another, mostly in math and science, but also in Star Wars quotes, bad puns, and life in general.Those students (the Good, the Bad, and the Apathetic) provided the material for Learn Me Good and its sequels. He now uses his mad math skills as an analyst in a really tall building downtown.
John Pearson won the Jeopardy! Teachers Tournament in 2013 and lost to the eventual grand winner in the Tournament of Champions in 2014. He was an alternate in the 2019 All-Stars Tournament and fulfilled that role admirably.
Pearson enjoys reading, watching movies, and playing games in his free time, and he has made several videos with his son Andrew, including the Pearson Olympics and the May Gladness series, all available on YouTube. He also updates the Learn Me Good page on Facebook with funny memes, anecdotes, and observations. All educators,teachers, and people who love humor are welcome.
John Pearson won the Jeopardy! Teachers Tournament in 2013 and lost to the eventual grand winner in the Tournament of Champions in 2014. He was an alternate in the 2019 All-Stars Tournament and fulfilled that role admirably.
Pearson enjoys reading, watching movies, and playing games in his free time, and he has made several videos with his son Andrew, including the Pearson Olympics and the May Gladness series, all available on YouTube. He also updates the Learn Me Good page on Facebook with funny memes, anecdotes, and observations. All educators,teachers, and people who love humor are welcome.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 285 reviews
April 24, 2008
After each email ended, I was faced with a conundrum: keep reading on or stop and save the rest for later, savoring each email like a piece of fine chocolate. I wanted to keep reading on, but didn't want this book to end!
I stumbled across this book as I searched for books with the same themes as mine (humor, education). The book preview was enough to convince me to buy the book--I liked the author's style of humor and the writing was good.
This book is hilarious! I especially like how the author uses references from previous chapters in subsequent ones, adding to the comedy by making the reader feel like a story insider.
I have so many favorite lines, but I think "Calls me Ishmaels" takes the cake! I hope this author writes more in the future!
I stumbled across this book as I searched for books with the same themes as mine (humor, education). The book preview was enough to convince me to buy the book--I liked the author's style of humor and the writing was good.
This book is hilarious! I especially like how the author uses references from previous chapters in subsequent ones, adding to the comedy by making the reader feel like a story insider.
I have so many favorite lines, but I think "Calls me Ishmaels" takes the cake! I hope this author writes more in the future!
June 19, 2012
Fun, true-to-life, with an authentic voice. Often I get impatient with first-year teachers' memoirs...too cute, too smug...too Esme. But this is a hoot. Maybe it's because it's written as emails to a friend--a snarky friend. Pearson entered teaching after he was laid off at his old job. But I never doubted his six city and commitment to his students...
His stories about his students are ones every teacher can smile at, nod his or her head at....we recognize his fear of parent conferences, his sick humor, his frustrations over the testing culture...
The book covers Pearson's first year, ending with the month-long testing frenzy that is Texas third grade...he covers the seasons, the celebrations, the revolving door that public schools are...kids in and kids out...one girl entered his class the day before the testing, and he was held responsible for her scores...
His affection for even the most challenging kids is clear, his desire to be a better teacher is evident. I really like Jack Pearson!
His stories about his students are ones every teacher can smile at, nod his or her head at....we recognize his fear of parent conferences, his sick humor, his frustrations over the testing culture...
The book covers Pearson's first year, ending with the month-long testing frenzy that is Texas third grade...he covers the seasons, the celebrations, the revolving door that public schools are...kids in and kids out...one girl entered his class the day before the testing, and he was held responsible for her scores...
His affection for even the most challenging kids is clear, his desire to be a better teacher is evident. I really like Jack Pearson!
June 14, 2017
I really enjoyed this book. It is a quick, humorous read that is easy to relate to, even if you have no teaching experience. I would read just a couple chapters each night for the humor and heart that came out through the delicious snarky and witty commentary. My personal favorite was "yes generic student". I also looked forward to the fitting pen name after each letter. I've read the sequel Learn Me Gooder and it is just as "good".
May 12, 2011
Storyline: What can I say about Learn Me Good by John Pearson other than it really are good?! It’s better than good; it’s gooder even! Mr. Pearson’s hilarious book chronicles his first year of teaching through a series of emails to a former coworker. It almost makes me want to be a teacher. Almost. Jack Woodson was laid off from his engineering job that he worked at for nearly 4 years and decided to become a school teacher. After all the necessary tests, certifications and teacher’s training, he is now a brand spanking new math and science teacher at a Dallas area school with his very own class of 3rd grade students to mold into future world leaders.
Jack decides to share his day to day adventures and misadventures with a former colleague at the thermal design firm that laid him off. Learn Me Good is based on actual events. The names of the parties involved have all been changed to protect the innocent and deter the guilty from being too proud of their “accomplishments.” Jack pokes fun at his old coworkers, even comparing their maturity level to that of the 3rd graders he teaches and all the while, sharing anecdotes about the 8 and 9 year olds’ views on life, liberty and the pursuit of recess.
Grammar/Spelling: I did not notice any grammatical or spelling issues. (As to be expected, I mean, Mr. Pearson IS a teacher!)
Character Development: There were plenty of characters and plenty of character development. Mr. Pearson navigates through the first year of teaching with an ever-changing cast list in his class and a consistent group of players back at his old job. I could go on for ages about each character, but I’d not only be stealing Mr. Pearson’s thunder, I’d also be doing him a disservice with simple summations of each person’s integral part in the overall experience.
We have Marvin: the ultimate example of how ADHD cannot be “cured” with simple medication. He means well, he’s just…how do you say? Exuberant? Full of life? Yeah, that’s it. Marvin is a simple soul who sees the world as it is: in shades of “I didn’t mean to…”
Thompson is an aspiring rap star and dresses the part – in miniature, of course. He is subject to sudden and intense “rap attacks” when he pops, locks and lays down some serious (if inaudible) lyrical genius. At times, he even borrows verses from other lyrical geniuses – even if he doesn’t quite know what all of the words mean.
Then we have hapless Larry: one of Jack’s former coworkers and the butt of nearly any and all of Jack’s jokes both in these emails and when he worked with him. There was even a prank involving Larry’s unattended computer, a picture of the boss and an audio file set at full volume. I’ve been a witness to that sort of joke before. Always a good time for nearly all parties involved!
Writing Style: The writing style was straight-forward and full of laughs. At times, I could read between the lines and feel some of his frustrations with the entire standardized testing system; but, I could definitely see that he genuinely cared about his students’ successes and failures.
Continuity: No issues with continuity.
Overall Rating: 5+
Learn Me Good was practically impossible to put down, hilarious and pretty inspiring. Just when I was fairly certain that our public school systems were full of teachers that don’t care and are just focused on standardized testing, Mr. Pearson proves that there are at least a couple who strive to go beyond the dreaded test. There were numerous times when I threatened to spit water out onto my keyboard when reading it. (“Yes, Generic Student?”)
I hope that Learn Me Good is the first in a series of hilarious school year stories. I could read these for DAYS. Or, if not a series, at least it will be the first of many great books to come from the very talented Mr. John Pearson.
Anyone with a child, anyone who works with children or has worked with children in the past or is planning on working with children in the future or, heck, anyone who can read at nearly any level, should read Learn Me Good! There is simply a lack of any good reasons not to read it!
Jack decides to share his day to day adventures and misadventures with a former colleague at the thermal design firm that laid him off. Learn Me Good is based on actual events. The names of the parties involved have all been changed to protect the innocent and deter the guilty from being too proud of their “accomplishments.” Jack pokes fun at his old coworkers, even comparing their maturity level to that of the 3rd graders he teaches and all the while, sharing anecdotes about the 8 and 9 year olds’ views on life, liberty and the pursuit of recess.
Grammar/Spelling: I did not notice any grammatical or spelling issues. (As to be expected, I mean, Mr. Pearson IS a teacher!)
Character Development: There were plenty of characters and plenty of character development. Mr. Pearson navigates through the first year of teaching with an ever-changing cast list in his class and a consistent group of players back at his old job. I could go on for ages about each character, but I’d not only be stealing Mr. Pearson’s thunder, I’d also be doing him a disservice with simple summations of each person’s integral part in the overall experience.
We have Marvin: the ultimate example of how ADHD cannot be “cured” with simple medication. He means well, he’s just…how do you say? Exuberant? Full of life? Yeah, that’s it. Marvin is a simple soul who sees the world as it is: in shades of “I didn’t mean to…”
Thompson is an aspiring rap star and dresses the part – in miniature, of course. He is subject to sudden and intense “rap attacks” when he pops, locks and lays down some serious (if inaudible) lyrical genius. At times, he even borrows verses from other lyrical geniuses – even if he doesn’t quite know what all of the words mean.
Then we have hapless Larry: one of Jack’s former coworkers and the butt of nearly any and all of Jack’s jokes both in these emails and when he worked with him. There was even a prank involving Larry’s unattended computer, a picture of the boss and an audio file set at full volume. I’ve been a witness to that sort of joke before. Always a good time for nearly all parties involved!
Writing Style: The writing style was straight-forward and full of laughs. At times, I could read between the lines and feel some of his frustrations with the entire standardized testing system; but, I could definitely see that he genuinely cared about his students’ successes and failures.
Continuity: No issues with continuity.
Overall Rating: 5+
Learn Me Good was practically impossible to put down, hilarious and pretty inspiring. Just when I was fairly certain that our public school systems were full of teachers that don’t care and are just focused on standardized testing, Mr. Pearson proves that there are at least a couple who strive to go beyond the dreaded test. There were numerous times when I threatened to spit water out onto my keyboard when reading it. (“Yes, Generic Student?”)
I hope that Learn Me Good is the first in a series of hilarious school year stories. I could read these for DAYS. Or, if not a series, at least it will be the first of many great books to come from the very talented Mr. John Pearson.
Anyone with a child, anyone who works with children or has worked with children in the past or is planning on working with children in the future or, heck, anyone who can read at nearly any level, should read Learn Me Good! There is simply a lack of any good reasons not to read it!
June 5, 2011
John Pearson earned a degree in Engineering from Duke University and then worked for nearly four years in Dallas, Texas as a thermal design engineer before being laid off. He decided to go back to college to be certified as a math teacher and found himself at the beginning of the next school year standing in front of a class of 3rd graders in an inner city school as their Math/Science teacher. This book is the journey of that year of teaching told through a series of emails to his friend, Fred Bommerson, who still worked at Heat Pumps Unlimited. The emails are full of sarcasm, a touch of despair, a huge helping of tenderness and respect, humor, and, ultimately, a lot of love. Pearson comments that he traded in conference calls, product testing, and business cards for parent-teacher conferences, standardized testing, and report cards while noting that the maturity level of the people surrounding him didn't significantly change. After reading about the 40 3rd graders that Pearson taught every day--two sections of 20--I was amazed to discover that they reminded me quite strongly of the college students that I teach (harass, conjole, perform for, etc.) every semester. His third graders have the same limited attention span, urge to get off subject, lack of respect for authority, behaviorial issues, family problems, procrastination, and indifference to detail (wait, I have some of those qualities too)as my college students and I have the same affection for my students as the author has for his. While students of any age can drive educators to distractions (and sometimes substance abuse) there are those moments when you realize why you gave up the big bucks to spend your time in the classroom. One of my favorite moments in the book was the last day of school when all of the students are on the buses pulling out of the school and the teachers "were waving, clapping, dancing, and shooting off pistols into the air. I think that I even saw someone hold up a sign that read 'John 3:16'." And then comes the realization that he's already looking forward to the next school year. I know the feeling.
February 15, 2011
The premise of the story may not seem overly interesting at first glance; an engineer starts working as a teacher and tells the reader about his experience with the children he teaches.
And this is definitely not my regular type of reading material, seeing as I prefer fantasy over reality.
That being said, perhaps because I wasn't expecting anything, this book just blew me away. Although mostly reading it in bed at night, with marginally half a brain running and thus barely 1/10th a sense of humor, I found myself laughing out loud again and again.
Getting to know 'his' kids in such a wonderfully quirky fashion, following the struggles and hardships of these kids as they attempt to master the miracle of reading and math, is nothing but pure joy! Then there are the phrases... stuff too weird to come from any but 3rd graders... some of those lines are simply insufferably cute and wonderful and horrible to behold.
I have the deepest adoration and respect towards people who decide to become teachers for the right reasons, and from reading the book I believe that 'Mr. Wooden' is such a person.
Very much looking forward to the sequel!
And this is definitely not my regular type of reading material, seeing as I prefer fantasy over reality.
That being said, perhaps because I wasn't expecting anything, this book just blew me away. Although mostly reading it in bed at night, with marginally half a brain running and thus barely 1/10th a sense of humor, I found myself laughing out loud again and again.
Getting to know 'his' kids in such a wonderfully quirky fashion, following the struggles and hardships of these kids as they attempt to master the miracle of reading and math, is nothing but pure joy! Then there are the phrases... stuff too weird to come from any but 3rd graders... some of those lines are simply insufferably cute and wonderful and horrible to behold.
I have the deepest adoration and respect towards people who decide to become teachers for the right reasons, and from reading the book I believe that 'Mr. Wooden' is such a person.
Very much looking forward to the sequel!
May 13, 2011
This book is entertaining even if you aren't a teacher. I am not a teacher nor have I worked in an elementary school but I still thought this book was very funny. Told entirely in emails from a first time teacher in an inner city Texas school to a friend and ex-coworker, "Learn Me Good" is wickedly entertaining and clever. It's not just the stories he tells but the way he tells them that make this book so funny. Be prepared to laugh out loud.
Since it is told in a series of emails of varying lengths, it is easy to read in bits and pieces (like I did), if you are not so inclined to read it all at one time. While it could be a quick read, I chose to spread it out over months, reading an email or two here and there in between other books, while I was waiting at a doctor's office or other times when I just didn't feel like I had the time to invest in whatever novel I was currently reading. So, even if you don't have a lot of time to read, don't let that deter you from picking up this book.
Since it is told in a series of emails of varying lengths, it is easy to read in bits and pieces (like I did), if you are not so inclined to read it all at one time. While it could be a quick read, I chose to spread it out over months, reading an email or two here and there in between other books, while I was waiting at a doctor's office or other times when I just didn't feel like I had the time to invest in whatever novel I was currently reading. So, even if you don't have a lot of time to read, don't let that deter you from picking up this book.
June 30, 2017
A quick and enjoyable read. The epistolary style both helps and hinders the book; it creates a unique feel that allows for an intimate look at the author's experiences, but after a while the format feels forced, especially since Pearson insists on starting each email passage with an awkward paragraph summing up the correspondence from his friend and former coworker instead of merely including the message itself to strike a more conversational tone. As I read these various tales of a first year teacher, many of my own teaching memories came flooding back to me, and I both related to and sympathized with the situations included here. Although the tone is not as humorous as I had been led to believe, Pearson's account provides a valuable look into the world of public education for those unfamiliar with what the field and a position within it truly entails. Teaching is no joke!
June 19, 2010
What a quick & fun read. I laughed out loud at something in every chapter. If you are a teacher or know one it's a must read. And if you're not, it's still a must read if you are looking for lighthearted escapism. I especially loved the great puns(is the term great puns an oxymoron?). Do yourself (and the author who is really a 3rd grade teacher) a favor & buy this book.
July 14, 2017
This was a choice for my book club, and I must say it was quite enjoyable. I think Mr. Pearson and I have similar senses of humor, so I took to this quite well. I don't see how one could be a teacher in this world without a sense of humor. At times I found myself laughing out loud at some of the anecdotes. That being said, I do feel there were some serious points being made, especially about the intense way in which an over-testing environment can stifle the thorough education of our children. Does the stress of too much standardized testing help or hinder both students and teachers? Anyone with a brain can figure out the answer to that question. Unfortunately, there's a lack of people with brains who are actually making these decisions. That being said, the hints to this were more subtle and it wasn't preachy. Overall, very enjoyable and I look forward to reading the follow-up.
June 27, 2017
A quick and light-hearted read, though hindered by its awkward epistolary format. I enjoyed Pearson's humorous pratfalls as he navigated through his first year of teaching - particularly when it came to dealing with the antics of his third grade students. However, the one-sided correspondence made for weird summations at the beginning of each entry. Why not just include short replies from his friend right alongside his own letters? His friend's observations about the children's crazy behavior might have added more dimension to the adventures. And goodness, some of those kids really were Holy Terrors! It's been over ten years since the first release of this book, and I can't help but wonder where some of these kids are now?
September 29, 2010
I am almost ashamed to say I purchased this book 15 months ago on my Kindle 2 during a buying spree, it quickly got lost. I found it again when the Kindle 2 got collections, but it quickly got lost in the "memoir" collection. I found it yet AGAIN and made myself promise to read it when my Kindle 3 came in, even making a special category for "read now" that has less than 12 books in it. So, I finally read it. I think part of my hesitation is that good self-published memoirs are rare, fabulous self-published memoirs appear to be non-existent.
I went into this one not really knowing what to expect. My husband is currently in the midst of a career change at the age of 30-something himself - into teaching, of course. He substitutes so I hear all the stories, etc. Going into reading this particular book, I wasn't really expecting too much difference.
Oh.My.Goodness.
I don't think I've laughed so hard at a book all year. This is seriously one of the funniest books ever. Yes, it was heartwarming, etc etc. Whatever. It was downright funny. The author has this wry dry sense of humor that just left me doubled over. I think I even peed myself a little a few times. My husband asked several times if I needed some water. I'm talking big tear-streaming laughs. The dude is funny. The best part? It's all told through emails to his buddy from the job he got laid off from (almost) 4 years prior. So you can just see the friend on the other side wondering what in the world John has gotten himself into.
What's more... the book felt real. I kind of want to adopt John and make him come teach at my kid's school here in Austin (he's apparently from Dallas, hey, it's not that far! - is that stalkerish?). Then I want to invite him for dinner (that's not weird, is it? wait... don't tell me) and have some really good laughs with the guy. He is funny, yes, but he's also genuine. His love for those kids shows through on each page, even as he's calling them the demon spawn that they are. Okay, maybe not that MP kid, but hey...
There's one part of the book, and I won't post it because I don't want to give any spoilers. I really really want you all to go read this book. It's fabulous. But there's a part where he makes a comment that really almost made me tear up (and not from laughing). It makes me realize that this author has found his calling in teaching - and perhaps in writing too. To him, I have nothing but respect. Writers always get my respect... teachers, well teachers get my reverence.
Good for him. And good for me too. I've not been touched by a single off-the-hip passage in a very long time, especially not in a hilarious memoir such as this. This was also very well put together and it had all the essential parts of a memoir for me. SO many don't have redemption at the end. And I don't mean that all of them are drug memoirs and they find themselves either - there's different kinds of redemption and I really like to think that Mr. Pearson found it in himself as well, maybe even while writing this silly little book.
I recommend this book for anyone that loves reading about the crazy things kids do and for anyone that likes memoirs in general. This is one of the very few that are going on my "must read" list this year.
I went into this one not really knowing what to expect. My husband is currently in the midst of a career change at the age of 30-something himself - into teaching, of course. He substitutes so I hear all the stories, etc. Going into reading this particular book, I wasn't really expecting too much difference.
Oh.My.Goodness.
I don't think I've laughed so hard at a book all year. This is seriously one of the funniest books ever. Yes, it was heartwarming, etc etc. Whatever. It was downright funny. The author has this wry dry sense of humor that just left me doubled over. I think I even peed myself a little a few times. My husband asked several times if I needed some water. I'm talking big tear-streaming laughs. The dude is funny. The best part? It's all told through emails to his buddy from the job he got laid off from (almost) 4 years prior. So you can just see the friend on the other side wondering what in the world John has gotten himself into.
What's more... the book felt real. I kind of want to adopt John and make him come teach at my kid's school here in Austin (he's apparently from Dallas, hey, it's not that far! - is that stalkerish?). Then I want to invite him for dinner (that's not weird, is it? wait... don't tell me) and have some really good laughs with the guy. He is funny, yes, but he's also genuine. His love for those kids shows through on each page, even as he's calling them the demon spawn that they are. Okay, maybe not that MP kid, but hey...
There's one part of the book, and I won't post it because I don't want to give any spoilers. I really really want you all to go read this book. It's fabulous. But there's a part where he makes a comment that really almost made me tear up (and not from laughing). It makes me realize that this author has found his calling in teaching - and perhaps in writing too. To him, I have nothing but respect. Writers always get my respect... teachers, well teachers get my reverence.
Good for him. And good for me too. I've not been touched by a single off-the-hip passage in a very long time, especially not in a hilarious memoir such as this. This was also very well put together and it had all the essential parts of a memoir for me. SO many don't have redemption at the end. And I don't mean that all of them are drug memoirs and they find themselves either - there's different kinds of redemption and I really like to think that Mr. Pearson found it in himself as well, maybe even while writing this silly little book.
I recommend this book for anyone that loves reading about the crazy things kids do and for anyone that likes memoirs in general. This is one of the very few that are going on my "must read" list this year.
January 17, 2011
This book takes the form of a series of emails from Jack Woodson to a former colleague, Fred. Jack was made redundant after nearly 4 years at a thermal design firm, and decided to retrain as a teacher. The emails cover his first year as an educator, teaching 3rd grade and while names have been changed to protect the innocent the emails are based on real experiences.
The format of the book meant it was a nice easy read, with the emails creating an equivalent to short chapters. It would have been a nice book to have dipped into when I only had a bit of spare time to read, but in reality I read this over the course of two afternoons.
Due to the nature of the book, while we learn a bit about the background and physical attributes of Jack and some of his class and colleagues, this isn't really a character driven book, it's more of a literary sit-com. There are plenty of anecdotes about what his charges have said or done, and his responses to them. Some of the stories are so shocking you have to laugh and others must have bemused Jack as they certainly puzzled me. It is certainly a funny book and I found myself chuckling quite a lot. However I am also now in a state of fear. What starts in the States often makes it's way to this side of the pond, so I guess by the time my little one starts school I'll have to buy gifts for teacher for all sorts of occasions with no relation to education.
Quips aside it was also interesting to find out incidentally about some of the issues facing urban schools. I suspect a lot of the issues are the same here as in the US, such as teaching kids for whom English isn't a first language and endless testing. Don't expect serious debate though, this is a light hearted, irreverent book that suited my need for a short, humourous read perfectly.
The format of the book meant it was a nice easy read, with the emails creating an equivalent to short chapters. It would have been a nice book to have dipped into when I only had a bit of spare time to read, but in reality I read this over the course of two afternoons.
Due to the nature of the book, while we learn a bit about the background and physical attributes of Jack and some of his class and colleagues, this isn't really a character driven book, it's more of a literary sit-com. There are plenty of anecdotes about what his charges have said or done, and his responses to them. Some of the stories are so shocking you have to laugh and others must have bemused Jack as they certainly puzzled me. It is certainly a funny book and I found myself chuckling quite a lot. However I am also now in a state of fear. What starts in the States often makes it's way to this side of the pond, so I guess by the time my little one starts school I'll have to buy gifts for teacher for all sorts of occasions with no relation to education.
Quips aside it was also interesting to find out incidentally about some of the issues facing urban schools. I suspect a lot of the issues are the same here as in the US, such as teaching kids for whom English isn't a first language and endless testing. Don't expect serious debate though, this is a light hearted, irreverent book that suited my need for a short, humourous read perfectly.
August 6, 2010
Learn Me Good is an often laugh-out-loud, 'probably-true' story of an engineer who loses his job and ends up teaching 3rd grade math in Dallas, TX.
The book is presented as a series of emails that Mr. Wooden...uh, Woodley...errr...Woodson (read the book, you'll understand that part) sends to a friend at his prior employer about the kids he's teaching and the crazy things they do and say. It's worth the small price of the book just to read the subjects & clever names with which he closes every email, I found myself snickering at several.
I've never raised or worked with children, so I don't read this genre (and wouldn't have, had I not read about it on the Kindle Boards), but I laughed loud enough to startle my dog a few times and found most of the stories to be at the very worst, amusing. Most people who have had or taught small children would get quite a kick out of it.
The author states up front that he's changed all the names and that 'most' of the incidents he recounts are true, lol. The book is a quick, easy read and the author's love of his new-found profession comes shining through in this light-hearted book. I finished it in two nights, which could have been one if I weren't so busy. The book is about 55,000 words. I'm not sure how many pages that translates into, but it's definitely novel-length.
A note about the Kindle edition: I didn't find any typos or grammatical errors (none that weren't intentional, lol), just a couple of odd line breaks. Formatting for Kindle isn't easy. I didn't fine them too distracting & they don't warrant a reformat, in my opinion. To those who worry about errors taking away from the enjoyment of an ebook, you can feel confident in buying this book, it won't disappoint.
The book is presented as a series of emails that Mr. Wooden...uh, Woodley...errr...Woodson (read the book, you'll understand that part) sends to a friend at his prior employer about the kids he's teaching and the crazy things they do and say. It's worth the small price of the book just to read the subjects & clever names with which he closes every email, I found myself snickering at several.
I've never raised or worked with children, so I don't read this genre (and wouldn't have, had I not read about it on the Kindle Boards), but I laughed loud enough to startle my dog a few times and found most of the stories to be at the very worst, amusing. Most people who have had or taught small children would get quite a kick out of it.
The author states up front that he's changed all the names and that 'most' of the incidents he recounts are true, lol. The book is a quick, easy read and the author's love of his new-found profession comes shining through in this light-hearted book. I finished it in two nights, which could have been one if I weren't so busy. The book is about 55,000 words. I'm not sure how many pages that translates into, but it's definitely novel-length.
A note about the Kindle edition: I didn't find any typos or grammatical errors (none that weren't intentional, lol), just a couple of odd line breaks. Formatting for Kindle isn't easy. I didn't fine them too distracting & they don't warrant a reformat, in my opinion. To those who worry about errors taking away from the enjoyment of an ebook, you can feel confident in buying this book, it won't disappoint.
January 15, 2016
Learn Me Good is the story of Jack Woodson's first year as a third grade teacher in Texas. He started his career as an engineer but when he was laid off from his job he decided to try teaching instead. The book follows the ups and downs of his first year as math teacher through emails sent to his former co-worker.
This is a funny and fast read that I thoroughly enjoyed it. Pearson had me laughing through the entire book. Each of the e-mails tells a story of something that happened during the school day and I love how he ended each e-mail with a witty pen name that went with the story that was told. The kids that are described in the book sound like some real characters and I loved reading about their classroom antics. I am sure every teacher has some stories to tell but Pearson really does a great job of talking about these kids in a way that will have you laughing out loud. The parts with Marvin were my favorite, he was a student to remember.
While being funny the book also gives an interesting look at the educational system at an inner city school in Texas. Pearson talks often about all of the testing that is done and what a typical shool day for him was like. What I liked most was the fact that through it all Jack Woodson shows that he really cares about these kids and does his best for all of them. I always enjoy a story about a dedicated teacher!
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a book with lots of laughs and heart. There is already a sequel, Learn Me Gooder, and I know I will definitely be reading it.
This is a funny and fast read that I thoroughly enjoyed it. Pearson had me laughing through the entire book. Each of the e-mails tells a story of something that happened during the school day and I love how he ended each e-mail with a witty pen name that went with the story that was told. The kids that are described in the book sound like some real characters and I loved reading about their classroom antics. I am sure every teacher has some stories to tell but Pearson really does a great job of talking about these kids in a way that will have you laughing out loud. The parts with Marvin were my favorite, he was a student to remember.
While being funny the book also gives an interesting look at the educational system at an inner city school in Texas. Pearson talks often about all of the testing that is done and what a typical shool day for him was like. What I liked most was the fact that through it all Jack Woodson shows that he really cares about these kids and does his best for all of them. I always enjoy a story about a dedicated teacher!
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a book with lots of laughs and heart. There is already a sequel, Learn Me Gooder, and I know I will definitely be reading it.
March 28, 2011
I really enjoyed John Pearson's "Learn Me Good". I frequently browse through a few of the "low-cost" kindle book blogs and this one was featured a little more than a month ago. I have family members who are teachers and my first major in college was ElEd. After reading John's book, I recall why I changed majors to Law Enforcement! ;-) I did think back to my own third grade teacher (Mrs. Woodrow at James Monroe Elementary) --- it really did give me a whole different perspective on third grade . . . what I experienced versus what Mrs. Woodrow experienced (hmmm, there may be some amends to make there!)
One of the things that drew me to this book was the format. I've long been a fan of epistolary novels. I find them fun to read. One of the things that I find likeable is that I can be reading another book at the same time and then just pick up and read a couple of letters (or emails) in a manner similar to how one receives real snail mail or email. This format lends itself to a more casual read (for me). One of the things that I really enjoyed was his signatures on the emails and the subject lines. I even went back and reacquainted myself with some of them.
I not only would recommend this book, but I already have. I've also been enjoying John's blog (I found it by googling John Pearson + blog).
One of the things that drew me to this book was the format. I've long been a fan of epistolary novels. I find them fun to read. One of the things that I find likeable is that I can be reading another book at the same time and then just pick up and read a couple of letters (or emails) in a manner similar to how one receives real snail mail or email. This format lends itself to a more casual read (for me). One of the things that I really enjoyed was his signatures on the emails and the subject lines. I even went back and reacquainted myself with some of them.
I not only would recommend this book, but I already have. I've also been enjoying John's blog (I found it by googling John Pearson + blog).
July 5, 2010
The premise, one side of a back and forth email exchange between a first year elementary school teacher and a former co-worker, seemed a touch shaky. But as various books and TV shows have have proven for years, kids are funny. Something light and amusing fit my mood, so I decided I'd give it a try.
The kid part worked. As Art Linkletter used to say,"Kids Say the Darnest Things." (You kids reading this - anyone under 50 or so - google it.) The kids will keep you chucking most of the way. As will Pearson with his suggested blurb for his college reunion, “has 40 kids, all with different mothers.”
However there's a serious side at work here too. It's easily avoided or ignored if you choose. But also some clues for those looking forwhere our school systems may be missing the mark. Low budgets, the "no child left behind" program (try finding a teacher who thinks this was a good idea) and lack of parental support are a few examples.
But the biggest surprise was how well the email format worked. It provided opportunity to compare and contrast Pearson's former corporate job with that of a teacher, always in a humorous way. The biggest difference between students and former co-workers seemed to be height. The biggest similarity – maturity.
The kid part worked. As Art Linkletter used to say,"Kids Say the Darnest Things." (You kids reading this - anyone under 50 or so - google it.) The kids will keep you chucking most of the way. As will Pearson with his suggested blurb for his college reunion, “has 40 kids, all with different mothers.”
However there's a serious side at work here too. It's easily avoided or ignored if you choose. But also some clues for those looking forwhere our school systems may be missing the mark. Low budgets, the "no child left behind" program (try finding a teacher who thinks this was a good idea) and lack of parental support are a few examples.
But the biggest surprise was how well the email format worked. It provided opportunity to compare and contrast Pearson's former corporate job with that of a teacher, always in a humorous way. The biggest difference between students and former co-workers seemed to be height. The biggest similarity – maturity.
June 7, 2011
Jack Woodson is an Engineer turned Elementary School teacher. Follow Jack through his first year as a Math Teacher as he emails former co-workers his funny and strange stories straight from the classroom.
A funny look inside the classroom through the Teachers eyes.
Lets Talk About It:
This is a cute, funny book.
I love the unusual format of reading 'emails' in the book as the way to tell the day to day antics of his classroom and students.
Every single 'email' had a cute funny story about the children with a sarcastic twist and signed off in different pen names that were cleverly designed to reflect upon the emails story.
As the emails went on I found myself cheering for the students in their quest to win Math Madness and the numerous testing they went through. I found myself laughing out loud at some of the stories and cringing on others.
This book was great from start to finish. A humorous look inside the classroom and the mind of a teacher that has you quickly turning the page to get to the next days antics.
I hope Mr. Woodson has a follow up to Learn Me Good in the works.
Melissa Reviewer for 1000 + Books to Read
A funny look inside the classroom through the Teachers eyes.
Lets Talk About It:
This is a cute, funny book.
I love the unusual format of reading 'emails' in the book as the way to tell the day to day antics of his classroom and students.
Every single 'email' had a cute funny story about the children with a sarcastic twist and signed off in different pen names that were cleverly designed to reflect upon the emails story.
As the emails went on I found myself cheering for the students in their quest to win Math Madness and the numerous testing they went through. I found myself laughing out loud at some of the stories and cringing on others.
This book was great from start to finish. A humorous look inside the classroom and the mind of a teacher that has you quickly turning the page to get to the next days antics.
I hope Mr. Woodson has a follow up to Learn Me Good in the works.
Melissa Reviewer for 1000 + Books to Read
June 1, 2012
ISBN: 9781453646687
Publisher: Self / Indie
Pages: 210
Jack Woodson (Duke Engineering, class of '95) is currently living and working in Dallas, TX. He has forty children, and all of them have different mothers.
Jack Woodson was a thermal design engineer for four years until he was laid off from his job. Now, as a teacher (dealing with those forty children), he faces new challenges. Conference calls have been replaced with parent conferences. Product testing has given way to standardized testing. Instead of business cards, Jack now passes out report cards. The only thing that hasn't changed noticeably is the maturity level of the people surrounding him all day.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Learn Me Good by John Pearson! At first, I wasn’t very keen on the book being presented as emails, but as I read further, the layout grew on me. Although I loved reading about a newly qualified teacher’s experiences with his first class, I found the American grade/year system a bit confusing and I would have found the book easier to follow if it had been more thoroughly explained. I loved the way Learn Me Good was written, as whilst it was witty and sarcastic at times, it wasn’t too over the top or preachy. I would definitely recommend this book!
Publisher: Self / Indie
Pages: 210
Jack Woodson (Duke Engineering, class of '95) is currently living and working in Dallas, TX. He has forty children, and all of them have different mothers.
Jack Woodson was a thermal design engineer for four years until he was laid off from his job. Now, as a teacher (dealing with those forty children), he faces new challenges. Conference calls have been replaced with parent conferences. Product testing has given way to standardized testing. Instead of business cards, Jack now passes out report cards. The only thing that hasn't changed noticeably is the maturity level of the people surrounding him all day.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Learn Me Good by John Pearson! At first, I wasn’t very keen on the book being presented as emails, but as I read further, the layout grew on me. Although I loved reading about a newly qualified teacher’s experiences with his first class, I found the American grade/year system a bit confusing and I would have found the book easier to follow if it had been more thoroughly explained. I loved the way Learn Me Good was written, as whilst it was witty and sarcastic at times, it wasn’t too over the top or preachy. I would definitely recommend this book!
March 26, 2008
I got this from my friends at Germandeli.com. They're in Texas and this was a surpise they threw into my order. I was so excited! Though it's written by an elem. school teacher, I found so many instances where (I teach HS) I found myself laughing and remembering similar situations.
It's told via emails between the brand-new teacher and his friends back at the Heat Pump Company (I guess due to legal reasons he had to make up a fake name or something).
It becomes a nice and easy-to-read calendar of this guy's first year. He's funny, he's very funny. That's probably the most endearing part of this book.
I've got about 20 pages left and I'm kinda hoping to stretch them out. He's gone through the ups and downs of teaching all sorts of kids.
I recommend this to: anyone currently a teacher or thinking of becoming a teacher. It's worth a read, happy people.
Note: I read Educating Esme and thoroughly loved that book as well. This is on par with that one, though the styles are vastly different (and this guy loves movies--that's reflected in a great many of his emails).
It's told via emails between the brand-new teacher and his friends back at the Heat Pump Company (I guess due to legal reasons he had to make up a fake name or something).
It becomes a nice and easy-to-read calendar of this guy's first year. He's funny, he's very funny. That's probably the most endearing part of this book.
I've got about 20 pages left and I'm kinda hoping to stretch them out. He's gone through the ups and downs of teaching all sorts of kids.
I recommend this to: anyone currently a teacher or thinking of becoming a teacher. It's worth a read, happy people.
Note: I read Educating Esme and thoroughly loved that book as well. This is on par with that one, though the styles are vastly different (and this guy loves movies--that's reflected in a great many of his emails).
September 30, 2010
This was recommended to me by a friend, so I coughed up a few bucks and purchased it for my Kindle. (That’s rare; I usually just get the free ones!) It’s really good. In this “mostly true” account, John Woodson, a former engineer and victim of downsizing, makes a career change, and teaches 3rd grade math and science. Each chapter of the book is an email to a former co-worker at his old company. The book is downright funny—everything from the kids’ names to the funny questions they ask and ridiculous things they do and say. Despite its jovial tone, I also learned some of the frustrations John experienced: kids moving in and out of his classroom at a constant pace throughout the year, kids falling through the cracks of special education and ESL class placement, and way too much standardized testing (along with the pressure it places on students and teachers). With all the recent talk of public education reform in this country, I’ve decided we need more teachers like John Pearson—smart, dedicated, and caring—to start turning the tide.
March 11, 2012
This was an enjoyable quick read about a teacher's first year.
The book was funny and reminded me of my own real life experiences as a teacher and a parent.
The format is strange: a series of e-mails to an ex colleague. But the format makes the read quick and gives some more variety than a simple diary or journal or memoir of events. Though you don't read the replies, the e-mails reference them and give a sense of a two-way conversation.
The author likes his puns and jokes and funny names. I think they set just the right tone for this book, but beware, they were groaners. This should be read for fun, not for tips or life changing revelations. (Though I did notice techniques used by the teacher/author which were also described in Teach Like a Champion: 49 Techniques That Put Students on the Path to College With DVD )
The book was funny and reminded me of my own real life experiences as a teacher and a parent.
The format is strange: a series of e-mails to an ex colleague. But the format makes the read quick and gives some more variety than a simple diary or journal or memoir of events. Though you don't read the replies, the e-mails reference them and give a sense of a two-way conversation.
The author likes his puns and jokes and funny names. I think they set just the right tone for this book, but beware, they were groaners. This should be read for fun, not for tips or life changing revelations. (Though I did notice techniques used by the teacher/author which were also described in Teach Like a Champion: 49 Techniques That Put Students on the Path to College With DVD )
March 5, 2013
Learn Me Good is a fantastic book; one that will have you laughing from beginning to end.
My wife is a preschool teacher and I was constantly laughing as there were so many similarities between her stories and those in this book. For those with kids in grade school, you will definitely recognize your own kids in the characters in the book; hopefully more like Ariel and less like Mark Peter.
The book is written as a series of emails, and at first I wasn't sure but this turned out to be a brilliant approach. From a convenience perspective, each email is only a few pages so you can sneak in a new "chapter" very easily when you have a few minutes. But the really interesting part was that reading one side of an email thread introduced a voyeuristic aspect that kept me wanting to read more.
One small touch, yet one I found really added to the overall quality of the book, was how the author creatively used the subject line and signature of each email.
Highly recommended if you're looking for a book that can make you laugh, and recall some of your hijinks as a child.
My wife is a preschool teacher and I was constantly laughing as there were so many similarities between her stories and those in this book. For those with kids in grade school, you will definitely recognize your own kids in the characters in the book; hopefully more like Ariel and less like Mark Peter.
The book is written as a series of emails, and at first I wasn't sure but this turned out to be a brilliant approach. From a convenience perspective, each email is only a few pages so you can sneak in a new "chapter" very easily when you have a few minutes. But the really interesting part was that reading one side of an email thread introduced a voyeuristic aspect that kept me wanting to read more.
One small touch, yet one I found really added to the overall quality of the book, was how the author creatively used the subject line and signature of each email.
Highly recommended if you're looking for a book that can make you laugh, and recall some of your hijinks as a child.
January 22, 2011
John Pearson's first year teaching memoir, Learn Me Good, is an accurate portrayal of the life of a classroom teacher. Pearson's entire first year of teaching math and science to forty third graders is told in a unique e-mail format. Though Mr. Pearson teaches third grade in what seems to be an urban district and I teach high school in a small town, I often found myself giggling because our day to day interactions with students are strikingly similar. No matter where or what you teach...kids will be kids!
Mr. Pearson also did a fine job of discussing the stresses of being a first year teacher in the times of standardized testing and No Child Left Behind. He did not, however, come across as being whiny or negative. My only slight criticism of this book is that some of the stories were a bit repetitive. Overall, though, I would recommend this to those thinking of teaching or those looking for a quick, easy, humorous read.
Mr. Pearson also did a fine job of discussing the stresses of being a first year teacher in the times of standardized testing and No Child Left Behind. He did not, however, come across as being whiny or negative. My only slight criticism of this book is that some of the stories were a bit repetitive. Overall, though, I would recommend this to those thinking of teaching or those looking for a quick, easy, humorous read.
January 6, 2012
This book wasn't quite what I was expecting - it was better!
I downloaded this as a freebie on my new Kindle Fire as something light-hearted to read. There were definitely moments where I was in tears from laughing so hard. Pearson has a great sense of comedic timing which can be extremely difficult in writing. Just when there's a lull, he drops in a pop culture reference or a tie in to an earlier segment. The laughs were great and if that were it, I would have given it three stars.
What really added to the experience for me was how, in the midst of the comedy, he was able to touch on some of the more serious issues facing teachers in inner city, low income schools - high mobility rates of students, difficult home issues, language barriers, crazy testing methods and school system requirements.
Definitely an enjoyable read. So much so that I'm sure I'll end up reading the follow up.
I downloaded this as a freebie on my new Kindle Fire as something light-hearted to read. There were definitely moments where I was in tears from laughing so hard. Pearson has a great sense of comedic timing which can be extremely difficult in writing. Just when there's a lull, he drops in a pop culture reference or a tie in to an earlier segment. The laughs were great and if that were it, I would have given it three stars.
What really added to the experience for me was how, in the midst of the comedy, he was able to touch on some of the more serious issues facing teachers in inner city, low income schools - high mobility rates of students, difficult home issues, language barriers, crazy testing methods and school system requirements.
Definitely an enjoyable read. So much so that I'm sure I'll end up reading the follow up.
September 3, 2016
We follow a first year teacher as he emails his former co-worker about the crazy antics of his third grade class in Dallas, Texas.
This was free on my Kindle and it looked mildly interesting so I picked it up. When I started reading I thought, "Here's another joe (or Barry!) who thinks he can just gather up some emails he's sent and call it a book." but the more I read, the more involved I got into these kids' lives. You find yourself nodding and laughing when he says to his buddy, "And you know how Marvin is" YES! we know how that Marvin is, he's a kook! Having a third grader myself, I found it interesting to compare the level of comprehension on what was being taught, interesting and sad. Also alarming to me was the turnover rate in his classroom. Anyway, it was fun to read the perspective of a caring teacher who is genuinely concerned for the well-being of his students, and the humor he does it with helps.
This was free on my Kindle and it looked mildly interesting so I picked it up. When I started reading I thought, "Here's another joe (or Barry!) who thinks he can just gather up some emails he's sent and call it a book." but the more I read, the more involved I got into these kids' lives. You find yourself nodding and laughing when he says to his buddy, "And you know how Marvin is" YES! we know how that Marvin is, he's a kook! Having a third grader myself, I found it interesting to compare the level of comprehension on what was being taught, interesting and sad. Also alarming to me was the turnover rate in his classroom. Anyway, it was fun to read the perspective of a caring teacher who is genuinely concerned for the well-being of his students, and the humor he does it with helps.
January 21, 2012
Learn Me Good is a funny, quirky glimpse into the day of a third grade teacher. I haven't been reading much in the way of non-fiction/ humor lately, but I've seen the author on some Kindle forums and I liked his style. So I got the book. Now, I like his style even more.
With Learn Me Good, Pearson mines comedic gold and I found myself LOL-ing (laughing out loud, for the uninformed) one too many times. My husband was beginning to worry about me. Well, probably not beginning to worry-- but that surely didn't help. At any rate, I'd recommend this book to just about anyone, even people without small-human experience or a sense of humor. If you lack the former, this book will make you appreciate that fact. And if you lack the later, well you may be beyond help- but I still think even a lump of clay would find this book funny :-)
With Learn Me Good, Pearson mines comedic gold and I found myself LOL-ing (laughing out loud, for the uninformed) one too many times. My husband was beginning to worry about me. Well, probably not beginning to worry-- but that surely didn't help. At any rate, I'd recommend this book to just about anyone, even people without small-human experience or a sense of humor. If you lack the former, this book will make you appreciate that fact. And if you lack the later, well you may be beyond help- but I still think even a lump of clay would find this book funny :-)
June 14, 2011
This is the story of a laid-off-engineer-turned-third-grade-teacher, "Mr. Woodson". Mr. Woodson recounts his classroom exploits via a school years' worth of very funny emails to one of his former coworkers at a heat pump company. The email format of the book is engaging, allowing the reader to feel privy to the highly descriptive and at times guffaw-out-loud stories (yes, I admit - I didn't just chuckle, I outright guffawed in places reading this. How often can one claim to guffaw, I ask?)
The fun part is, after reading this book, I found out the author, John Pearson, is still teaching, maintains his own blog (learnmegood2.blogspot.com), and is in the process of putting together a sequel.
The fun part is, after reading this book, I found out the author, John Pearson, is still teaching, maintains his own blog (learnmegood2.blogspot.com), and is in the process of putting together a sequel.
February 2, 2012
I loved this book. I guess my only criticism was that it was too short. I wish it had gone on longer. I was able to get this book free from a limited time deal through Amazon.com. It was described as being like "Up the Down Staircase" which it is. I may have to buy the sequel, "Learn Me Gooder" which is probably why they offered this first one for free. Anyone who has been a teacher, knows a teacher, or even remembers what it was like to be in school should read this book. I sometimes laughed until tears ran down my face. (Or course it was after 11:00 p.m. and everything is funnier after 11:00 p.m.) I saw that some reviewers did not like the one-sided e-mail format. I thought that it was perfectly easy to follow and in my opinion added to the book.
January 5, 2012
I did find myself laughing out loud several times. Kids do say the darnedest things! The author's caustic sense of humor did occasionally make me uncomfortable, but there were a few sweet parts to kind of counteract it. You can tell he does actually enjoy the children (for the most part) and he must be a good teacher to have gotten them all to pass the test. That said, there was a lack of understanding when it came to his special needs children that kind of bothered me (ie. just calling them nuts instead of recognizing there was probably some autism or other real issues).
Note: there is a bit of language from the children and innuendo from the author.
Note: there is a bit of language from the children and innuendo from the author.
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