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Jim ‘Basketball’ Jones teaches life lessons
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.A second-grade student tried her hand at juggling scarves during Jim “Basketball” Jones’ program at Hilltop Elementary School March 28..
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Neighbor | Abby Slanker.Jim “Basketball” Jones demonstrated juggling skills using scarves to kindergarten through second-graders during his program at Hilltop Elementary School March 28..
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Jim “Basketball” Jones brought his son, Parker, to help him get his message of “Do the right thing” across to Hilltop Elementary School students March 28.
By ABBY SLANKER
Students at Hilltop Elementary School received some life lessons – and had a lot of fun – when Jim “Basketball” Jones visited their school March 28.
Jones was there to teach the students juggling skills and focus on getting his message of “do the right thing” across to the students.
Jones’ program has been empowering students and teachers for 11 years and has been performed at more than 3,000 schools at every grade level. His focus is on character, effort and listening and the program allows kids to participate while learning about these important life skills.
Jones passed out scarves to each child, instead of balls, to help the children grasp the concept of juggling and to make it easier for the children to learn the basic skills. He started the children out individually, but then asked them to find a partner so they could share their scarves, and then had them form groups of three.
“We need to work together to be a team with the courage to do the right thing,” Jones said.
Jones had the children then count how many times they could toss the scarf in the air and catch it. He said the point of the exercise was to see how many the children could do and to set their own personal world’s record.
“You cannot have a dream come true unless first you choose to have a dream,” Jones told the children.
Jones modifies each presentation to be grade level appropriate. For the kindergarten through second-grade students, he used the scarves as a learning tool and for the third- and fourth-graders, he used scarves, juggling balls and basketballs. Jones brought his son, Parker, to help with the Hilltop students.
“Canfield Schools is one of my favorite places to bring my program. The principals here go above and beyond for their students,” Jones said.
Jones’ programs focus on patience, listening, doing the right thing and staying on task. One of the highlights of the program is his inspirational story of overcoming dyslexia. It is a true story of a special education student willing to accept help and work hard to finally exceed everyone’s expectations to graduate with honors from Bowling Green State University.
For more information on Jones, visit jimbasketballjones.com.