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JJ Brothers visit North Elementary
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .After Jon Hixon (left) told his brother that he was being replaced as host of their Nov. 10 JJ Brothers assembly at North Elementary, he offered a replacement for his brother Jim (right). "A monkey riding a bicycle can do a better job than you," joked Jon to his brother.
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Jim Hixson (left) taught the students at North about the power of imagination by reading selections from his favorite books and asking the students to help it come alive. When Jim began to read "Alice in Wonderland," his brother Jon Hixson appeared as a white rabbit, truly bringing a part of the story alive.
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Along with lessons on imagination, editing, and using adjectives, the JJ Brothers focused on teaching the importance of spelling with a hangman-style game. Jon Hixson (left) guessed letters along with North students Malachi Murphy and Nola Heuschkel (right).
By SARAH FOOR
The literary duo who calls itself the JJ Brothers is no stranger to the Mahoning Valley, and visits area schools often to champion reading, writing and the power of imagination.
In their most recent visit, Jon and Jim Hixson stopped at North Elementary on Nov. 10.
“We like to have fun at our assemblies and we hope that you’ll be having fun, too, and learning a little bit in the process,” said host Jim Hixson.
The brothers’ presentation was a mix of lessons and crazy antics between the two brothers.
The perpetually silly Jon Hixson pardoned off the stage with yellow police tape explaining that the JJ Brothers show needed a new host. Jon Hixson’s suggestion for a new host was a stuffed monkey riding a bicycle, saying that a monkey could do his brother’s job better. The joke that earned the brothers laughter.
Even with the wacky antics, Jim Hixson still managed to teach the students about the power of imagination with readings from “Little Cleopatra,” “Johnny Tremaine,” and “Alice in Wonderland.”
“Don’t give up on a book you’re reading. Always try and imagine the story as if it’s happening to you and really make it come alive,” said Jim Hixson on the power of imagination.
Interlaced with hilarious happenings, the brothers taught the students of North about adjectives, editing and spelling as well.