Local Children's Author Amber Keyser Visted Us Today!

Amber Keyser spent all day at our School.

 You can find her books everywhere.

Amber talked to us about her favorite things:
writing books, camping and canoeing with her family.

She read Paddle My Own Canoe to us.

Jennifer, from Green Bean Books,  recommended our March Read Aloud,
The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place

Check out the new videos on our Recess Sightings Page

Click to see Kickball from this morning.

Congratulations Adriana F. Learn for Life Student of the Month

Ms. Elisa, our Learn for Life Teacher, asks the class for compliments and writes them on the poster  for Adriana.

Congratualtions to Chris, Nani and Belen Our Students of the Month

Our Students of the Month: Chris, Nani and Belen (not pictured)

Parody of Portland News Snow Coverage

Spring Art Project

This spring our class will be doing an art project with the Right Brain Initiative called The Best Part of Me.  Students will be given digital cameras to photograph each other.  They will then write poetry based on their photos.  All of the teachers here at James John did the lesson together.  You can see them in the hallway between the gym and the cafeteria.

sNOw School Today!

All PPS Schools are closed today.
Enjoy the snow.

OHS Field Trip

We had a great Field Trip to the Oregon Historical Society Museum today.
Check out all our pictures on Our Super Fun Field Trips Page at the top of this blog.

Oregon Historical Society Field Trip Tomorrow

We will be seeing the exhibit "My Oregon".

Battle of the Books

Our Third Grade Battle of the Books Team (The Librarian's Revenge) have been completely dominating the competition, beating out upper grade level teams even with several kids being home sick during recent battles.

Check out all the great new stories posted every day under STUDENT WRITINGS at the top of our blog!

Books 2 U!

 Cori from Multnomah County Library stopped by today and introduced us to several great books! 
Books 2 U is a great program that brings books into the classrooms.  After Cori was done previewing several books, she left a whole bag of the great books for us to read. 

25% Home Sick Yesterday!

Our Class Needs Wipes

A Quarter of our students were home sick, or went home sick yesterday.   

You can help your 3rd Grader stay healthy by making sure:

• They are getting at least 10 hours of sleep every night.
• Washing hands often.
• Covering their coughs & sneezes. 
• Making sure used tissues are getting into a covered garbage.
• Drinking lots of water throughout  the day.
• Eating fruits & vegetables every meal and for snacks.
• Daily active outdoor play.
• Thank you for keeping your child home if they are sick. 
• Stop by our room and pick up classwork if your 3rd grader is out for more than two days.

H1N1 (Swine Flu)

Mr. Fairbanks

Mr. Fairbanks (former teacher at King) has been volunteering at James John, almost every day, for the past  four years.  He is in our room most days, helping your third grader with reading and writing and math.  Often, he can be heard as the only one laughing at Mr. Leach's jokes.

Half Night at St. Johns McMennamins

Thea and her mom Krystin stopped by for dinner. 

Mr. Leach and Penelope enjoying some delicious food.

I saw several other folks out tonight with their lovely families.  I'm sorry, I was too busy eating to get your picture.  Thanks James John PTA and McMenamins for supporting our school.

University of Portland

This Spring, we are lucky enough to have two University of Portland students in our class doing their Field Experience. 

Ms. Klafter working with Elias during Writer's Workshop.

Ms.Hussey editing with Thea.

Ms. Klafter reading with Cameron.

Ms. Hussey reading with Katylin.

 

We use a word wall in class to help us with spelling.

Take The Night Off From Cooking This Tuesday & Support Our School

Happy Valentine's Day!

Stop by and check out all of the stuff we really love about going to James John School.

Julio writing a story using word bank cards that all relate to having a picnic.
Word banks increase vocabulary and reinforce correct spelling.

I Will Always Remember by Trinity Andrews

I was going to ride my dad's longboard in California.  I was riding around the block on my stomach. 

When I tried to go over a bump, I did not make it, the longboard stayed right where it was.  I was flying and then ((KURR-PLUNK!))  I fell straight on my face. 

Luckily I was right in front of my house, so I yelled, "DAAA-DDDY!" 

He came running out, so worried.  His eyes were bug eyed.

I had one scrape under my left eye, two on my right cheek, four little ones on my left and one really big one on my chin. 

The worst part was the next day was PICTURE DAY!!!

Meet My Teacher Mr. Leach by Elias Vincente- Jose

Mr. Leach is one of the greatest teachers here at James John Elementary School.  He's my 3rd grade teacher this year, he is also a pretty funny guy.  I know a lot about him, but there's some stuff I didn't know.  Let's learn more about him.

What is your favorite type of music?
"Folk Rock, Singer Songwriter stuff and Jazz."

Do you have a favorite sport? 
"Sort of .  I like biking, if that's a sport."

Do you have  a favorite type of car?
"Yes, I really like our Volvo, even though I never really get to drive it.  My wife drives it to work.  I ride my bike everyday to school."

What stuff really makes you happy?
"My two and half year old daughter, spending time with my family, watching kids in my room work really hard, watching movies and biking to work."

Why did you want to be a teacher in the first place?
"I feel really comfortable working with kids.  I worked at summer youth camps all through college and worked at the Joe Paterno Child Development Center at Nike World Headquarters before coming to work at James John."

You grew up in Wyoming, did you enjoy living there?
"Some parts ."

How many siblings do you have?
"I have two older sisters and one older brother."

Were you a very good student in Elementary School?
"Not really.  My teachers complained about me to my parents."

Are you happy with the job you have now and living in St. Johns?
"I'm very happy, I wouldn't want to work anywhere else."

Which jobs have you thought of doing, besides being a teacher?
"I've thought of being a school guidance counselor, but I really like having a classroom."

You were in a band here in Portland- why did you quit doing it?
"Well, my wife and I had Penelope, our daughter.  A few other people in the band were having kids as well, so we decided to put the band on hold for awhile." 

Have you ever lived in any other place besides Oregon and Wyoming?
"I was born in Florida.  When I was three we moved to Missouri.  Soon after we moved to Indiana and then to Wyoming when I was six." 

What are your favorite hobbies?
"I enjoy all the typical Portland stuff.  Biking, Yoga, going on long walks with my family through Portland neighborhoods, writing songs, playing guitar, going to concerts."

What is your favorite type of food?
"Probably Mexican and Thai."

If you could do anything for three hours, what would it be?
Probably go to the Oregon Zoo with my wife and daughter."

Mr. L. is Absent Thursday and Friday

I will be out Thursday and Friday of this week.  Ms. Kelley will be filling in.
Your Third Grader has been working very hard this week.  I'm sure they will work just as hard for Ms. Kelley.
Remember, Monday is Valentine's Day.

Upcoming Oregon Historical Society Field Trip

Thanks to all of you that have gotten your Field Trip Permission Forms and your dollar for Tri-Met in for our Feb. 23rd.
We already have four parents signed up for Volunteers, so we are good.
For those who wanted to come and help, don't worry, we still have (at least) two more Field Trips planned for the year.
Thanks so much for all your help this year.

Science Project by Maleke Graham

Yesterday my friend Evan and I made a science project at night at his house.  He got a science project kit from school as a Christmas present.  We were going to make a volcano that shot out  fake red lava.

Instead we decided to grow crystals.  We put red cabbage powder in a cup and it turned red and we had to wait.

Right now they are sticky and squishy crystals.

E-Readers Catch Younger Eyes and Go in Backpacks

Great article in yesterday's NY Times on the impact of E-Readers on children's reading habits.

Reading Buddies

Every Friday afternoon we go downstairs and read to Mr. Sammons' Kindergarten.  The Kindergartners love it!  Reading aloud to younger kids builds confidence and fluency.  Does your 3rd Grader have younger siblings or relatives?  They can do Reading Buddies at home.

Congratulations Julio! Our Learn for Life Student of the Week!

Nani is one tough Tetherball Player

One of the most popular recess games, among our very competitive girls, is tetherball. Few girls are better at the game than Nani.

February's Focus KINDNESS

This month our school is focusing on being Kind. Ms. Nahurski, our School Counselor came in and read The Brand New Kid.

The class made a list of ways we use Kindness.

 

We then drew and wrote about how we will be kind.

These Kindness Pledges will be showing up on a refrigerator door near you soon.