The Day the Teacher Went Bananas by James Howe; Reflection by Averi

The children’s book, The Day the Teacher Went Bananas by James Howe and illustrated by Lillian Hoban is an exciting story for young students and a book that simply makes me smile. A new teacher arrives at school and wasn’t quite what the students expected. He grunts a lot, teaches math by counting toes, takes students outside for science class, eats sixteen bananas for lunch, uses clay during art class, and beats on pots and pans for the music lesson. Until suddenly, the principal comes and breaks the sad news to the class that there was a mix up and their real teacher was taken to the zoo by mistake and their mysterious but fun teacher is a gorilla. The students showed their new teacher Mr. Quackerbottom everything they had learned that day; he exclaims that the entire class belongs in the zoo. So the next day, a trip to the zoo they took to visit their favorite teacher.

This book would be great to use during a read aloud with young students, kindergarten or first grade. I think a lot of the ways in which gorilla taught his students are useful and progressive. Science lessons should be taught outside, play with clay and hands on items during art lessons, and by all means, keep students engaged and excited about learning by doing alternative activities. A great way to get students excited about this book as I read, would be for them to predict why the teacher is different and most likely they will single out the characteristics and deduce that it’s a gorilla. Children love when they can foresee a storyline or finish a phrase. Snacks always make a lesson more exciting so I could provide half a banana for each student and they can munch on while I entertain them with the story and colorful illustrations. Also, if a class outing to the zoo is coming up, I would read the short story and stir up excitement for their field trip!