The JAMS Blog
SADNESS, KINDNESS, AND PEACE AFTER DIVORCE – SENSEI’S JOURNEY
I divorced in June 2006. I never thought I would be the one to have this experience. But I did, and I became the single mother of three young children -- a fifth-grader,
HELP YOUR CHILD UNDERSTAND HOMELESSNESS AND POVERTY
It breaks my heart to know that 2,500 students in the Beaverton School District are homeless. I’m so pleased that our school district partners with Family Promise to help end family homelessness. Most
READING HAS BENEFITS FOR CHILDREN OF ALL AGES
The Beaverton School District, like school districts nationwide, began March by celebrating Read Across America. It made me remember how much I loved reading as a child, and it made me wonder if children
Teach Your Kids to Take Responsibility for Their Actions
12 TIPS FOR RAISING RESPONSIBLE CHILDREN -- NO. 5 IS BIG! Kristen Welch’s blog post may be five years old, but her words remain indelibly written on the brains of moms and dads
Sensei’s Story
JAMS MILESTONE: 20 YEARS AND COUNTING! I clearly remember my first Abacus class 20 years ago. It was in the living room of my old house. I had just two students, one Japanese
SNOW DAYS … MAYBE THEY AREN’T SO BAD
It's that time of year again! That's right, winter is here and for most of us, that means cold weather and, of course, snow. And what does snow bring? School closings and snow
SCREEN TIME CAN DAMAGE YOUNG BRAINS
Yes, you read that right. Screen time can damage your child’s developing brain. It’s no secret that, over the years, there has been increased use of television, mobile phones, and other electronic gadgets
HOLIDAYS ARE FOR FUN. BUT LEARNING SHOULDN’T END!
It’s that time of the year again! The holidays are upon us. What does this mean? Christmas presents, family time, and the much-awaited winter vacation! It’s time to take a break from the
HOW TO AVOID ILLNESS DURING HOLIDAY TRAVEL
If the holiday break means vacation time, it also means flu season. While winter is the perfect time to sip some hot cocoa and read a good book, it’s also is the season
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DON’T LIMIT YOUR CHILD’S TV TIME?
Without a doubt, the television is a double-edged sword. Yes, there are benefits, but too much TV can also be a liability. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that young children should spend
HOW DOES SOCIAL MEDIA AFFECT YOUR CHILD’S BODY IMAGE?
Today, we live in a world where images can be easily manipulated. Photoshop is only one of the thousands of photo editing software available online. And, one does not need sophisticated computer knowledge
IS IT TIME TO GIVE YOUR CHILD A CELLPHONE?
Many parents ask me what’s the best age to give their child a phone. The first thing I remind them is they are not giving their child a just phone, they are giving
SOCIAL MEDIA IS THE REAL FAKE NEWS! DON’T LET IT FOOL YOUR CHILD
Children’s access to social media puts learning about life on steroids Today’s parents are under constant fire. They need to be on their toes at all times. Their parents and grandparents lived in
WHAT I LEARNED FROM ABACUS: SENSEI’S DAUGHTER TELLS HER STORY
As a child, my parents put me in every extracurricular activity you could possibly think of.Although I am eternally grateful and fortunate to have parents who wanted me to try everything (and had the
MAKE THIS SCHOOL YEAR THE BEST ONE YET!
It's fall, and school is back in full swing! By now, you've certainly adopted a routine. The beginning of the school year is always busy, especially with first-of-the-year activities plus sporting events and
Have Dinner Regularly As A Family: You Won’t Believe The Benefit!
Considering how busy we are these days, it can be difficult to lasso everyone for a meal together. Even you, the parent, might be too tired to insist the whole gang head to
Stop The Bullying — Whether Your Child Is The Victim Or The Bully
Bullying is one of the most traumatic things that can happen to a child. This is because childhood is such an important developmental period, and bullying can often cause physical and psychological effects
Snacks: Buy ‘em Or Bake ‘em, But Make Sure They’re Healthy
As a parent, what to pack for a snack ranks right up there with what to pack for lunch. You want it to be healthy, but you’re bored with the same old mini
Dream Jobs Use Math
TODAY'S DREAM JOBS USE MATH Are you wondering why it is important to help your child excel at math? The answer is more crucial than you think. With everything becoming high tech, math
Nothing is More Important than a Good Night’s Sleep
NOTHING IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP With back-to-school on the horizon, it’s a good idea to get kids back on a good schedule, and that means it’s time to restablish
Get Outside!
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF GREAT WEATHER AND GET THE KIDS OUTSIDE! Remember how much time you used to spend outside when you were a kid? Whether you were playing with friends, exploring nature, or
GIVE YOUR KIDS SOME HOUSEHOLD CHORES
Oftentimes, we ask ourselves, “Should we give our kids chores to do at home?” After all, it is our responsibility as parents to run the household, right? Our kids have to deal with
WANT TO LIMIT YOUR KIDS’ SCREEN TIME? MAYBE YOU SHOULD START WITH YOUR OWN
Did you know that most parents spend more than nine hours glued to their mobile phones? That’s not including the hours spent at work. How about you? Do you spend three? Four? Five?
YES, SCIENCE CAN BE FUN
Children are curious by nature. You can’t stop them from exploring the world. They will always find stuff to experiment with. And their innate curiosty leads them to bombard us with a million
How To Make Youtube Kids Safer For Your Children
Ensuring our kids' safety online should be our No. 1 priority. With so many tools and apps available online, what can we do as parents? How can we protect our kids from seeing
Computer Games: Are They All Bad?
Nowadays, when we say “games,” it's not just limited to physical activities like basketball or soccer. “Games” can also mean computer games. You are probably reading this with your eyebrows raising. Hear me
Tips On How To Beat Exam Stress
It’s normal to feel anxious at exam time. After all, exam anxiety is a common occurrence among students no matter their age. Some students are able to handle these overwhelming feelings of fear
Sensei Miwako Live on KPAM Radio: Abacus Math is transforming lives!
Sensei Miwako was live on KPAM Radio. Abacus math is certainly calling the attention of parents, especially at the elementary school level where STEM-related activities are at the center of their education. Parents
What Your Kids Can Learn from the Japanese About Math
You’ve probably watched your kids stare blankly at their math homework. It's been more than 10 minutes, and they haven't tackled the first problem. You try to give it more time. But, the
More Practical Solutions to Common Test Mistakes Children Make
I'm back again with more tips in helping your child to overcome common test mistakes. If you need want to read Part 1, you can do so by clicking this link. If you
Way to Go, Dhun!
If you see Dhun Kakkar in the halls, make sure you give her a big high five and tell her good job! Dhun, a student at Jacob Wismer School, scored in the 97th percentile on
Practical Solutions to Common Test Mistakes Made by Younger Students
This is a popular topic among the parents here at JAMS.Every parent invested in their child’s education has felt it: the frustration upon learning a test was botched. It’s never fun to hear about
Tips in Teaching Your Kids Time Management Skills
Time management is a critical skill that children take into adulthood. We practice it in the classroom, but there are ways that you can implement time management into your routines at home too.
Include Math on Your Grocery Shopping List
You know, there's no need to spend tons of money to buy math workbooks. Math is everywhere; it's an integral part of our lives. So, where's a great place to teach kids math?
How to Recognize The Signs of Bullying and What to Do if Your Child Gets Bullied at School
The Department of Health and Human Services recently reported that 1 in 3 students in the U.S. admitted that they have experienced being bullied. Usually, bullying happens in middle school. The most common types
Sensei, How Do I Control My Kid’s Screen Time at Home?
I get this question all the time from my parents. As a teacher, educator, and a mother of two Millenials and one Gen Z, of course, I have a strong opinion about this
Give these Kiddos a High Five if You See Them At the Hallway – Students’ Achievement 2018
Well let’s face it... we all know that JAMS students are kind of “special” and extra gifted. But 2018 was FANTASTIC, the best year yet! We are so proud of our students! A
How Early Math Lessons Can Change Your Child’s Brain
Many parents usually ask me this question, "When should I start preparing my child for school?" I always emphasize on the importance of developing one's memory skills at an early age. Researchers from
Five Ways to Inspire a Love of Math to Your Children
Conveying the importance of math to your children can be quite a struggle. For kids, math seems to be the biggest obstacle and they dread each time they have to face the subject.
How to Design an Effective Study Space in your home
After a productive day at school, does your child have a study space that is conducive for learning? I believe that, as a parent, we all need to encourage learning even at home.
Ways to Learn and Have Fun During the December Holidays
Holiday trips are for you and your kids to relax. However, it is still possible a foster a love of learning. After all, learning does not end outside of school. There are a
The Importance of Mental Exercises
Over the years I’ve been teaching mental math, I have noticed trends in certain age groups. Younger children tend to get more physical exercise than children that are older. As children progress in
The Importance of Maintaining a Proper Schedule
According to Dr. Peter Gorski of the Harvard Medical School, maintaining a schedule provides a strong foundation for success. Children's future endeavors are more likely to succeed when they know to what to
The Importance of Developing Independence
We always want what's best for our children. Without a doubt, our kids need us for love, guidance, and assurance, but there are times that some well-intentioned parents go overboard to a point
Why Are Our IQ Levels Higher Compared to Our Grandparents’ IQ?
Psychologist James Flynn presented at a TED conference and his video clip garnered over 3 million views to date. In this video, he about talked about the changes in the way we think.
Why JAMS Students Excel in More Areas Than Math
Often times, I’m asked how abacus and mental math skills help our students excel in areas beyond math. As a teacher, and a parent I have noticed our JAMS students progress quickly, keep
Best Brain Teaser Toys and Games for Children
Last month, I visited a local Hillsboro toy store, that is focused on educational toys only. A lot of parents ask me “What games or toys are fun and educational for my child?” so
The Importance of Traveling and How It Impacts Your Child’s Life
Sure, at this age, we probably have traveled extensively. Personally, I recommend traveling at any age, but the earlier you travel and experience the world the better. The skills you acquire while traveling
Which Educational System is right for my Child: A quick glance at education in the US.
Did you know that 85% of our parents at JAMS are from a diverse international background? Myself included. I can easily be overwhelmed by all of the different school types available for our
How to Keep Your Child Engaged in Abacus Lessons During the Summer
As each school year comes to an end, parents usually ask me about how they can keep engaged during the summer. Of course every student is different, but here are some of the
Five Tips to Increase Confidence: How to Raise a Confident Child
Self-confidence comes from achievements, whether they are monumental or miniscule. Parents can help develop their children's confidence by imparting encouraging words especially if they showed excellence in their abilities. Each person experiences challenges starting
Competition Can Be Healthy
Often times, parents avoid "competition" because images of pushing, shoving, trash talking come to mind. It is not exactly what they consider to be a healthy and productive environment. Parents may want to shield
Are you a Tiger Mom?
No sleepovers. Straight A’s. Play a musical instrument. Study a foreign language. Respect your elders always. These are just some of the guidelines Tiger Mom’s impose on their children. This stereotypical parenting method is
Kids that Participate on Competitions Are Winning in Every Aspect
Whether we like it or not, today's generation is highly competitive. As parents, we want our children to be equipped with the right tools to excel, not just in math, but in life in
30 minutes of Abacus a Day will Power your Kid’s Brain
Sadly, there has been a huge decrease in the use of Abacus as a teaching tool, but there are still a few schools that teach kids the importance of Abacus in solving problems and
5 Tips to Help Your Child Focus on Homework (from Our Parents to You)
Nowadays, children have trouble staying focused. It is hard to stay on specific tasks when distractions are everywhere. As our children grow, they have more homework to do and the numerous extracurricular activities after
The Effects of Mental Math on Your Children’s Brain
A person is not simply born with the knowledge of numbers. The brain handles knowledge uniquely. Some people are stronger in one subject matter and other people are more adept on another area. Vinod
How Exam Weeks Help Intermediate & Above Level Students Grow
At JAMS we believe we teach our students more than just math – it is life skills of focus, preparation and confidence. Our mandatory Exam Weeks help instill a sense of accomplishment in our
Let’s Keep Growing This Winter Break
At JAMS we believe we teach our students more than just math – it is life skills of focus, preparation and confidence. Our first-ever Winter Homework Packet will help your child grow and apply
Abacus vs. Kumon
It seems that there are as many unique teaching and tutoring approaches out there as there are children! And while many of them are similar, it’s important to make distinctions between the various styles
Register Now for Summer Abacus Camp!
Registration is Now Open! Register Today!! Register as a New Student :: Register as a Returning Student Summer Camp - 6/27-8/18 (8 weeks) Tuesday-Friday Beginner 3:30-4:30, 6-7pm Tuition: $720 Intermediate, PreAdvanced, and Advanced 4:30-6pm Tuition:
Fall Term Tuition Increase
The tuition will be increased by $15 for Intermediate to Advanced Levels, and $30 for Beginner Level, beginning with Fall Term 2017.
JAMS Mentor Program
We are excited to launch, beginning with Spring Term, a Mentor Program for new JAMS parents and parents of students who are having difficulty advancing or other issues. The goal of this program is to
Upcoming Dates for Srping/Summer/Fall 2017
*Note – We will no longer be offering in-house exams. You must sign up for the League of Soroban Education of America exam one month before exam week. 3/27 - New student orientation, 5pm -
Summer Camp
This year our Summer Camp offering will be 8 weeks long, and be held on Tuesdays through Fridays from June 27 through August 18. Students may attend once or twice per week. There will be
Achyutan Veeraraghavan Recognized as Talented & Gifted in Mathematics
JAMS is proud to share the news that one of our students, Achyutan Veeraraghavan, was recently recognized by the Beaverton School District as Talented and Gifted (TAG) in Mathematics. Achyut first enrolled at JAMS back
Success Adds up at Abacus Masters ’17!
Abacus Masters ’17 was a great success, made possible by our great students (83 students participated), families and volunteers. Our gratitude goes out to all who helped with the event and brought their support for
It’s Not Just About Winning
My little one started Abacus when she was in Kindergarten (2015). By mid-1st grade, her enthusiasm began to waver. However, she won a prize at the 2016 JAMS abacus competition, and that made her want
Abacus Masters ’17
The annual competition - Abacus Masters - will be held in February 2017. This is a mandatory event for all JAMS students, and students from other states will also be participating. We'll be at the
New Classroom Space
We’re very excited to be growing and that our landlord has provided us with the extra space to accommodate additional students. Recently we opened the wall in our classroom to add more than 300 square
No Bugs Allowed!
As we head into cold and flu season, please be mindful of your child(ren)’s health, and that of their classmates. If your child is sick, please keep them home until their illness passes. It’s very
Booster Weeks
During weeks 3 and 4 this term we offered Booster Weeks for Intermediate level students. During these weeks, intermediate students had the opportunity to participate in the Advanced class. We tested this concept and it
Winter Camp Math Challenge
JAMS will be holding a Winter Camp from December 13-16 of 2016. This camp will focus on the practical application of abacus math skills for everyday and school use. Students will receive a math workbook
Abacus & Anzan Exams
Starting with the Fall term of 2016, JAMS students will be taking the League for Soroban Education in America Examinations. This will replace our in-house exam and will be given to Advanced, Pre-Advanced and Intermediate
New Fall Term at JAMS
New Term and New People - We hope everyone enjoyed their summer break! With the new school year started, we're beginning a new Fall Term at JAMS. We're looking forward to an exciting new term
2016-17 School Year Calendar
DOWNLOAD the Calendar
Winter Abacus Camp 2016
JAMS will be holding a Winter Abacus Camp from December 13-16 of 2016. This camp will focus on the practical application of abacus math skills for everyday and school use. Students will receive a math
Fall Term Calendar Notes
New! Prep class for all the new students: 9/12 Monday, 5:00 – 6:00 New! Intermediate (multiplication/division) boosting weeks: Week 3 and 4 8/26 Fall Term Registration Ends & Tuition Due 9/13 Fall Term Starts 10/18
Meet Sensei Tim
Sensei Tim Migaki was born and raised in Oregon and is a fourth-generation Japanese-American. After becoming interested in Japan, Sensei Tim began studying Japanese in 2003 and has been doing so ever since. He attended
Sayonara Sensei Kyoko
Dear JAMS community, Thank you for the wonderful time with you all. I really enjoyed teaching talented kids and interacting with wise parents. It always makes my heart warm when I think about JAMS kids’
Winston Chan Tallies Up More Honors!
Last winter JAMS student Winston Chan took first place honors at the Pan Pacific Abacus & Mental Arithmetic Competition. Earlier this month, he did it again! Winston took first place at the All-USA Calculation Contest,
All-USA Calculation Contest
Let’s congratulate JAMS student Winston Chan. Winston received the first place prize at the All-USA Calculation Contest on August 12, 2016.
Tanabata
Tanabata - Also known as the Weaver’s Festival or the Star Festival, Tanabata is held annually on July 7th, or the seventh night of the seventh moon, according to the Japanese lunisolar calendar. Thought to
June 2016 Schedule Update
We have changed our summer schedule again! With JAMS community input, we have devised a new schedule that we think will best for most students. Our new summer term is 9 weeks, and resembles our
Abacus Masters ’16 Results
Abacus Masters Results! Congratulations to all who participated! Written
Meet Sensei Mika
Just prior to Summer term, Sensei Mika Comeaux joined the JAMS team. Sensei Mika brings her Japanese roots and several years in America, along with experience as a mom and assistant teacher, to offer a unique
A Very Important Life Lesson
My daughter Prakruthi has benefited immensely under the guidance of Sensei Miwako and we are grateful for having found JAMS. Sensei Miwako is an amazing teacher and role model for our daughter. We wanted our
Children’s Day in Japan
The 5th day of the 5th month is a special day in Japan, kodomo no hi, or Children's Day! This is a special holiday to celebrate, you guessed it, the wonderful children in our lives.
Developing the Potential of Young People
Miwako Sensei takes a holistic approach in teaching her students. She is not only concerned with teaching abacus and mental calculation skills, but also with how she can help her students develop their potential as
JAMS New Summer Term
JAMS SUMMER SCHEDULE We have changed our summer schedule again! With JAMS community input, we have devised a new schedule that we think will best for most students. Our new summer term is 9 weeks, and
Our Daughter’s Math Skills Have Improved Significantly
We joined the JAMS family 6 months ago and in a short time our daughter's math skills have improved significantly from doing simple addition and subtraction to addition, subtraction, multiplication and division with multiple digits. Much more
Surprised at the Speed at Which She Does Calculations
Based on levels the students are at, Sensei adapts her teachings so that the students can make the most out of it. My daughter Abhi has been blessed with excellent teacher who understands her challenges
Growing in Math Skills… as well as Knowledge, Confidence & Success
Violet was asked what goals she would like to set for herself. She stated that she would like to be very good at something in school. So we looked into all the subjects to see
Growing to Their Maximum Potential
It is with great delight that we write about our funtastic experience with JAMS, Portland. All three of our children have been learning Abacus math here for close to a decade. Sensei Miwako is simply
Star Students – March 2016
We had so many spectacular Star Students this Spring Term!
At JAMS we GANBARE
[facebook id="471322139735658"] "Ganbare! Ganbare! Ganbare!" You hear it shouted over and over again in the video. In Japan will hear it from friends, neighbors, classmates, and parents. You will see it on signs, buttons, and
Brains Grow at JAMS
Are you right-brained or left-brained? Do you prefer art over math, or understand music better than language? Why not both? Normally when we do mathematical calculations we use the left hemisphere of our brain. However,
Why JAMS Matters
"We are fortunate to have discovered JAMS, and grateful to Miwako Sensei, who instills discipline and motivation in her pupils.” -Karen C., Parent You may think JAMS is just about learning the abacus, but
Abacus vs Calculator: Which Would Win?
In an epic battle between the Japanese abacus and an electronic calculator, which do you think would win? On November 12, 1946 the abacus was put to the test! In the capable hands of Mr.
Join Us at Abacus Masters ’16
Join us at Abacus Masters ‘16, the 11th annual JAMS math skills competition. Our students will be competing against the region’s best and brightest, so come out to cheer them on! This is also a
JAMS Students Win Big at Global Competition!
On December 29th, 2015 Sensei Miwako Sakabayashi brought students Winston Chan and Riko Mizuno to participate in The 15th Pan Pacific Abacus & Mental Arithmetic Competition. More than 250 students representing nine countries from around
Syuzando
In the Japanese and other Asian cultures, the concept of DO (pronounced ‘doh’) represents the ability to persevere and is taught through many activities. Life is filled with many challenges, and children who
Testimonial – Kelly & Erin Wheeldon
Over the past few years, each one of our children have had the opportunity to take classes from Sensei Miwako. I am so happy that we were able to find her and am amazed at
JAMS Adds New Teacher to Team
October 30, 2015 - Portland, Oregon - JAMS is pleased to announce that Stephanie Cavanaugh has joined the school as a teacher. Ms. Cavanaugh was selected based on her teaching experience and familiarity with Japanese
JAMS Announces Winter Flex Camp
Flex your brain this winter with JAMS Winter Flex Camp! REGISTER ONLINE NOW! ...Or, DOWNLOAD the REGISTRATION FORM. Camp session runs from Monday, November 30 to Friday, December 18th. Register for one to five classes
Sensei Miwako interviewed by Fumiko of Noren Portland.
Recently, Sensei Miwako was interviewed by Fumiko of Noren Portland. The only abacus school you’ll find in Portland, or even in Oregon, is the “Japanese Abacus Math School of Portland LLC (JAMS)”. The manager of the
Fall Term Tuition Due
Fall Term Tuition is due on Friday, September 4th. A late fee of $25 will be assessed to your tuition for payment received after the first day of class.