Jefferson, our classroom teddy bear, loves to travel and learn about life. He's especially interested in how people use Lifeskills. With the help of his classmates (who will help him type), Jefferson will share his many experiences and what he's learned in this web log ("blog"). Enjoy following Jefferson along his merry adventures!

Nihao Haizai ! On my way to CHINA!!

Yo Dudes & Dudettes,
   Guess what?  I'm going to CHINA!  You know I HAD to sneak into my mom's luggage at the last minute.  I really surprised her I think.    I'll send you a quick note when I can. Write back, okay?  Our first stop is Beijing.  Can you find that on a map?  We'll be there for 4 days and then we go to Shanghai.  See if you can find THAT on a map too.  Then on to Xian.  Yep, find that too.  China is a really big country.  I don't think I've ever been in a city as big as Beijing or Shanghai - they have over 15 million people! That's 15,000,000 people!!!!!  Have you ever heard of the "Great Wall of China"?  We're going to go there.  I have an idea, why don't you see what  you can find out about The Great Wall of China, like when it was built and how long it took them to build it, and who gave the orders to build it. Curious bears want to know.
    So, how's it going in class?  Are Saturday & Summer doing a good job?  My mom wants to know if you are treating Ms. Kelsay like GOLD.  Do you have any questions for me to ask the kids in China?  What do you want to know?  I'll see if I can find out for you.  We'll take pictures and put them on our website (or my mom's website.) 
     Well, it's time to get on the plane.  It's about a 17 hour plane ride.  It's already tomorrow there - go figure!  Even though it's 10:40 in the evening here, it's 2:40 in the afternoon TOMORROW!  Explain that to me!
    Keep in touch dudes & dudettes.  I... I.... I miss you.  Take good care of each other and be kind always. 
    Your friend,
    Jefferson

Posted by: Siporin at November 02, 2009 23:14 | link | comments (3)

Yo Dudes! A Happy New School Year to ya!

Yo Dudes and Dudettes!
    I know some of you have been wanting to meet me.  Especially Erika... I'm sorry about not coming in last Friday; I just haven't been able to wake up early enough.  You know, teddy bears are nocturnal creatures.  Anyway, I hope to come in soon and meet you all. 
  
   I hear some of you have taken my bear friends on camping trips and other outtings.  Way cool!  A few of the bears want to come home; I won't go into their stories, but I can understand their desire to come home.  I used to spend a lot of time at school, but now that it's football season, I'm hanging out with my other teddy bear friends. 

  Besides the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Ducks, we love all the bear teams - Cal Bears, Golden Bears, Chicago Bears, and more.  What do you guys think of football?  Are there other sports you like?  Do you play any sports or do any other body smart activities?  

   When you write to me, be sure to sign your name so I know who to respond back to; for your information,  I don't read notes that aren't signed. 

   Your pal,
   Jefferson da Bear

Posted by: Siporin at September 26, 2009 23:40 | link | comments (4)

Yo Dudes! ! What's Your Favorite 3rd Grade Memory?

Yo Dudes and Dudettes! 
The year has just cruised right by us.  Before you head out the door for summer, share a favorite 3rd grade memory that'll stick to your ribs.  Beginning of the year?  Writers' or Readers' Workshop?  Writing Celebrations? Flashlights?  Plants & Bees? Heroes All? Zoo trip? Keynote? Recess?  A story about one of your classmates? Class Parties?  Clay? Japanese?  Dare I mention the plethora of State and District TESTS?  Blogging to YOURS TRULY? (DUDE!)  What will be your lasting memory?  What do you think about your third grade year now that it's coming to a close? Are you better at anything than you used to be?  What do you feel really good about or wish you'd learned more about?  Curious bears want to know.
   Your pal,
    Jefferson

Posted by: Siporin at June 07, 2009 23:12 | link | comments (5)

What's Up With Your Endangered Animal?

Yo Dudes & Dudettes,
    I hear you're studying about endangered animals.  COOL!  Sort of... except the part about being ENDANGERED!   Lots of the animals you're studying are my personal friends.  I keep in touch with lots of them when I get a chance.  What's going on with your animal?  Why is it endangered?  What's being done to help my  poor friends?   I get so worried about them.  To cheer me up, tell me a really cool fact you've learned about your animal.  Maybe you'll surprise me and tell me something I don't already know!  That would make my day!  Gotta love those wild animals!
   Your pal,
   Jefferson da "Not-So-Endangered" Bear
  

Posted by: Siporin at May 26, 2009 00:23 | link | comments (2)

Spring Break Fun

Yo Dudes and Dudettes,
   I didn't hear from many of you during Spring Break, so tell me now, what did you do over break.  You can read everybody else's haps too! 
    Happy April Fools!
   Your pal,
    Jefferson

Posted by: Siporin at April 01, 2009 07:54 | link | comments (21)

Whatcha Doin' Dudes on Spring Break?

Yo Dudes and Dudettes,
      Keep me in the loop; what are you doing on your time off?  Chocolate, Soda and the other bears, dogs, raccoons, monkeys are making a movie!  It's going to be quite the adventure!    When we get a break, I'll check in and blog back to you.      I sure hope you're reading and writing your awesome stories in your Home Writers Notebook.  Be on the lookout for some great stories.  Live like a writer! 
    Your pal,
    Jefferson da Bear

P.S.  Yo Ali from last year... Great to hear from you!  I totally remember you! I hope your school year is awesome.  Keep me posted!  Your pal, Jefferzen

Posted by: Siporin at March 20, 2009 17:01 | link | comments (9)

Yo! Tell Me Your Shocking Stories!

Yo Dudes & Dudettes,
  We loved reading your personal narratives; we laughed, we cried, we ate ice-cream  (We always eat ice-cream).
You guys are the best writers my mom has ever had I think.  Way AWESOME! 
   I hear you're learning about electricity; that's one of my favorite subjects.  What have you learned about electricity so far?  Have you done any cool experiments yet?  What did you find out? 
    Gotta go Dudes,   I'll come see you for your next party... maybe Valentines Day, what are you guys doing then?
My bear friends and I will try to write you Valentines.
    AGAIN,   gotta go dudes,
   Your pal,
   Jefferson

P.S.  HI LAUREN and Juhyung  ;-)

Posted by: Siporin at February 06, 2009 10:32 | link | comments (19)

Yo Dudes & Dudettes! What's Up?

    I haven't been in class for a long time.  I've been hanging around the house with my bear friends Chocolate and Soda and about a zillion other bears and animals.  We've been watching football and these silly squirrels outside our window trying to drink out of the hummingbird feeder.  They are so clever! 
    Anyway, what have you been up to lately?  I hear you've been writing Haiku - they are are so Hai-COOL!   I made one up to share with you:

   Teddybears enjoy
    Eatting ice-cream and chocolate bars
   While watching squirrels play.

Do you like it?  I'd love to hear some of your haikus!  Sorry I didn't make it for your Author's Celebration.  How was that?  I can hardly wait to read all of your stories to my bear friends as soon as my mom brings them home.  I already told then about it.  Everybody is excited to hear them.  We're going to have root beer floats in your honor!

Please write back (be sure to tell me your name so I know who's writing to me!)

Your pal,
Jefferson

Posted by: Siporin at January 13, 2009 05:29 | link | comments (59)

Yo Ali Cat!

Yo Ali,
   How's life in your new school?  We all miss you.  We had Teddy Bear Friday this past week.  Check out the photos!  Our class can blog to you on this spot & hopefully, you'll blog to us!  Keep us posted!
    Your pal,
    Jefferson

Posted by: Siporin at May 10, 2008 23:01 | link | comments (15)

Speaking of Heroes...

Yo Dudes and Dudettes,
    I think it's pretty awesome that you guys are studying heroes.   One of my heroes is President Teddy Roosevelt.  He started the whole teddybear thing.  His real name is THEODORE and "teddy" was his nickname.    That makes him rock in my book!  I don't know much about him otherwise.  I think I'll see what I can find out about him; after all, he is my hero!    I like finding out about people who have made people's lives better for others.   Just think, what would the world be like if people didn't take the initiative to make someone else's life better?  That would be a real bummer.  Who are  you thinking about studying?   I'm curious.  Let me know why they interest you too.  I bet you've been somebody's hero.  I love to read your stories; you guys help me understand humans better.  Thanks for that!  I look forward to blogging with you about heroes!
    Your pal,
    Jefferson

Posted by: Siporin at May 01, 2008 11:44 | link | comments (28)

PLEASE HELP MY ENDANGERED FRIENDS!!

YO Dudes and Dudettes,
       I heard that you've been studying about some of my animal friends which I learned have become ENDANGERED.  How can that be?  Jaggie Jaguar, Ella Elephant, Lilia the Leopard and her cousins, even Joey the Giant Panda are losing their family members.  It's way too sad!  What is being done to help them?  Please tell me SOMETHING GOOD is happening! What are you telling your friends to do?  Please tell me you're doing SOMETHING!   Hurry! 
   Your very worried pal,
   Jefferson

P.S.  I really loved your poems you wrote me.  I read them twice!

Posted by: Siporin at March 24, 2008 00:53 | link | comments (51)

Happy New Year!

Hey Dudes and Dudettes! Happy New Year! What did you guys do over the break? It was so fun to hang out with you guys during the snuggle down. I hope you earn another day soon! As for me, I played with my family and drank lots of hot cocoa. Enough about me though, what did you do? Your pal, Jefferson

Posted by: Siporin at January 10, 2008 10:50 | link | comments (51)

Poetry Pleasures

Yo!
     Some of you said you have written poems before.  I'll share one of my poems with you.  I have to look for it first. I'd love it if you'd share a poem with me.  Okay?  Remember to write your name! Poetry is one of my favorite things in the whole world ... that is next to chocolate (of course!)  Remind my mom to show you the Hershey kiss poem I made.  It's pretty cool; it's in the shape of a Hershey kiss.  OH! I just found itl  I typed it in the "Comments" part.  Tell me what you think, and share one of YOUR poems!
    Gotta go; Soda is calling me.
    Jefferson

Posted by: Siporin at December 05, 2007 18:02 | link | comments (37)

Got a Good Book to Recommend?

Yo Dudes and Dudettes,
    The class Snuggle Down is happening soon.  I'm looking for a good book to snuggle up with and read. (Huh, is it "snuggle UP or snuggle DOWN?... weird).  Do you have any suggestions?  Whoever can write the most persuasive book review, I'll read that book!  REALLY!
Be sure to tell me the title and the author (so I can look it up in the library - if you don't know it, I'll figure it out.)
Also tell me a little about the characters, where the story takes place (the setting), what the big deal is in the story (the plot), and of course, why you think I'd enjoy reading this book MORE than any of the other books. 
HINT: I especially like stories where the characters learn an important lesson or use Lifeskills. That could really persuade me!    Please tell me about a good book!  I need one to read today!
       Your buddy ol' pal,
       Jeffie
     

Posted by: Siporin at December 05, 2007 17:43 | link | comments (17)

Yo Dudes and Dudettes,
    I had a blast reading your blog posts this evening.  I've been typing responses to lots of you all evening.  My little paws are sore now!  I better soak them in some vanilla ice-cream.  It's more fun than an ice-pack. Has my mom ever said to you, "Reading is thinking"?  Well, when I was reading all of your posts, it made me think that maybe I should come to school and hang out.  I'd really like to see your poetry projects. 
   Your pal,
   Jeff da Bear
  

Posted by: Siporin at December 04, 2007 22:38 | link | comments (8)

Poetry Project Reflection

Yo Dudes and Dudettes!
    How are you doing?  I'm hanging out with  Chocolate and Soda, and my  other brothers and sisters and friends.  I hear you're just finishing up on your poetry project.  I love poetry because its short (unless you're reading Edgar Allen Poe) and it makes me laugh or feel things in a strong way. I've even written a few poems!   Maybe I can come to hear you present!  What was your theme?  What did you like about doing your project? Also, have you ever written a poem?  I have.  I'll  share  a poem I wrote if you share a poem you wrote! 
Let's keep in touch!
    Your pal,
    Jefferson bear

P.S.  When you write back, please tell me your name so I know who to write back to.  Thanks dude!

Posted by: Siporin at December 04, 2007 09:50 | link | comments (51)

Can You Invent a New Form of Human-Powered Transportation? Teddy Dactyl Wants to Know!

Yo Dudes and Dudettes!
   My friend Teddy-Dactyl blogged to me from the home of the National Grand Championship Kinetic Sculpture Race in Ferndale, California.  That's about a six hour drive from Eugene.  AND... I can't drive there.  .   I can't touch the brake and gas pedals while I'm steering.  I was wondering if you could maybe invent something for me so I could go visit my turtle friend, Teddy-Dactyl?  If you could invent something, what would it look like and how would it work? Will I be able to reach all the dials and stuff? Remember, I'm pretty little.  Maybe we could even build something?  Hey, that's a good idea!   I can hardly wait to hear your ideas!    Teddy-Dactyl will be so excited to know you guys are working on this!  Cool!
    Your pal,
    Jefferson 

Posted by: Siporin at August 27, 2007 23:17 | link | comments (7)

Yo Dudes,
I went to the da Vinci Days Kinetic Sculpture Race  ("Kinetic Challenge").  Kristen wanted me to find out if the teddy bears in the race get dirty or if they take baths. So I asked! Most of them stay pretty clean. Some I saw definately needed a bath.  One guy said he puts his  bears in the washing machine.  That would make Chocolate and Soda scared, so I told them those bears went to a Day Spa and enjoyed a whirlpool bath.    The winner of the race "Hija del Tomate" (Daughter of the Tomato in Spanish) said their 2 teddy bears, Port and Starboard NEVER get wet or touch the mud. The bears told me in detail about how great their humans take care of them. You ought to go up there next summer and see the race for yourself. You can walk around and see the kinetic sculptures that are used in the races and talk to their teddy bears. Did you see the pictures I took of them? CLICK HERE. THen click on the "da Vinci Days Teddy Bear Kinetics" link at the top. I made a slideshow of all the teddy bears and other stuffies using Keynote!  Tell me what you think of my very first PawedCast!
    Your pal,
    Jefferson

P.S.  The Rutabaga Queen knighted me "Oregon's Only Glorious Kinetic Teddy Bear Journalist"  WOW!  I guess you can call me SIR JEFFERSON now! 

Posted by: Siporin at July 27, 2007 16:07 | link | comments (6)

Yo Dudes!
     I just had an iChat with a pal in Holland and met Skippy - an Australian Kangaroo who blogs with his human student pals like I do!   There are some great pictures of him posted by the teacher, Mr. Johnston.   I think it would be great to blog with his class! What do you think?
  Your pal,
  Jefferson da Bear

Posted by: Siporin at July 21, 2007 09:26 | link | comments (3)

Yo Dudes and Dudettes!
      It's SUMMERTIME! I've been grazing on blueberries and cherries and plenty of chocolate. I've been watching birds through binoculars and learning bird songs.  I don't know most of them, but I like listening to them.  I couldn't sleep this evening (bears can be nocturnal creatures ya' know) and I was thinking about all of our classmates. I'm wondering what you're doing this summer.   Please, I miss you all... catch me up on the summer haps!
     Tomorrow is the start of the DaVinci Days Festival in Corvallis, Oregon.  They have a Kinetic Sculpture Race where people make human-powered vehicles that have to go on land, water, and an amazingly long and deep stretch of MUD!  Every vehicle has to have a teddybear on board or else they will be disqualified from the race.  I'm thinking about going up there and interviewing those bears to hear about their adventures. I wonder how they survive the mud and water?  Yeah, that's it... I'll nominate myself the Official Unofficial TeddyBear Judge of the Kinetic Sculpture Race!  I wish one of you were here to make me a badge or a button.  What kind of questions do you think I should ask those bears?  Some of them have been in many such races around the United States.  If you have a good question, I'll ask it and let you know what they tell me.  It'd be great to hear from you and find out what you've been up to these days.  Get in touch dudes!
  Your pal,
   Jefferson Bear

Posted by: Siporin at July 19, 2007 23:34 | link | comments (4)

Yo Dudes! Happy New Year to you all! I guess you've noticed that I haven't been spending much time in class. Sorry about that. This has been a great year for bears in sports, and so I've been watching all the games. The Chicago Bears are going to the Superbowl - AWESOME - GO BEARS!! Then the Cal Bears (also known as The Berkely Bears) had a pretty good season in college football as did the UCLA Bruins (Yep, they're bears). The Baylor Bears had a crummy season. So sad. So who are you hoping will win the Superbowl. Da BEARS??? I am! I think it will be a really tough game, but I figure we can take the Colts by 3 points (a field goal). What do you think? Back at ya! Jefferson Da Bear

Posted by: Siporin at January 24, 2007 22:35 | link | comments (24)

Yo Dudes! I've been thinking about the Lifeskill of Integrity. I know it means to act according to a sense of what's right and wrong, but I'm still wondering what that means for humans. For teddybears, if there's a football game on and all my brothers and sisters and friends want to watch, we all make room for each other on the table. The taller animals sit in back so the smaller bears can see in front. Sometimes I have to squeeze close to Racoco Racoon to make room for Montgomery. Even though it's kind of crowded, I don't want him to feel left out. For teddybears, that's integrity. How do you or people you know show integrity? Is that the same for humans or different? Please share an example or two so I get the idea. Your pal, Jefferson Bear

Posted by: Siporin at October 15, 2006 20:55 | link | comments (24)

Yo Dudes! I just finished reading a book called "Stone Soup". It was really good about 3 monks who visit a village in China (do you know where that is?). They don't have any food and nobody will help them. So they offer to make stone soup with rocks. Yeah, that's what I thought, "ROCKS?" . It was kind of a trick to get the villagers to help out. One by one, people offer to put just a little food or spice into the pot. So many people give just a little that they finally have a great pot of soup. Everybody comes out to enjoy the feast. It shows a lot about the lifeskills of cooperation, integrity, and initiative. If the village people didn't use those Lifeskills, they would still be all alone in their homes and would have missed enjoying a great meal with their neighbors. Those monks were pretty clever and taught the villagers a good lesson. Have you read any good books lately? I'm looking for a new book to read. I really like learning about how humans use the Lifeskills, so if you could tell me about that when you describe your book, it'll help me decide which book to read next. Thanks! Your pal, Jefferson Bear

Posted by: Siporin at October 15, 2006 20:47 | link | comments (9)

Yo Dudes! I heard you guys earned a Teddy Bear Friday! Way to go! What kinds of things did you do to earn all those points? Even though I'm coming to school tomorrow for school pictures, I won't be able to meet your animal buddies until Friday. I look forward to meeting them! Until then, let's keep in touch!

Posted by: Siporin at September 27, 2006 22:47 | link | comments (26)

Yo Dudes and Dudettes! It took me awhile to warm up to the idea of a new school year. I was having so much fun at home with my brothers and sisters - Chocolate and Soda, and Indy and Montgomery and a bunch of others. I'm so glad that Blackberry has had a chance to get acquainted with you all. I was worried that he might become more famous than ME! And you know, they named a mountain after me! So, sometimes I blog from home and we can keep in touch that way. Be sure to type your name so I know who I'm writing to, okay? I hear you dudes and dudettes have almost earned a Teddybear Tuesday! Awesome!!!! I'm down for that!! Hurry up & get that last star!!! So, how's class going so far? What do you miss about summer? Anything else you want me to know about you? Your pal, Jefferson

Posted by: Siporin at September 26, 2006 15:48 | link | comments (14)