Comments by PCC Faculty, Elementary School Teachers, Parents & Students

Spencer Hinkle
Building Construction Technology, Department Head

"'If I Had a Hammer' is not so much about building a house, but a way to help students see the differences between work and school. Also, it teaches them the importance of all school subjects, workplace and life skills, and making good decisions. It's a whole lot of fun, too."

Katherine Kirsher
Fifth-grade Teacher, Findley Elementary

"PCC is providing the fifth-grade students at Findley a tremendous opportunity to integrate math, science, communications, art, economics, community service, team building and problem solving. My students often want to know why is it so important to study hard in school, and this program aids students in identifying the connection between the importance of their academic studies and the 'real world'."

Student Comments Verbatim
Katherine Kirsher's 5th Grade Class, Findley Elementary

Hui Li

"Thank you for letting us participate in the "If I Had a Hammer" program. I liked using the electric drill and all the other tools, too! I really liked how you helped us to teamwork. It was fun. Everyone in the room participated. The house turned out awesome, especially with the colors! We learned so much that maybe one of us might build a house some day."

Brendon Luinn

"Thank you for inviting my class to the "If I Had a Hammer" program. I enjoyed working with the drill, and I liked how you encouraged working together in groups. I would love to go again if I had the chance."

 Davin

"Thanks for inviting us to PCC. I had lots of fun! Using the analogues to tell and explain to us why a house’s foundation is us was a awesome way to tell us how a house worked. Also, thanks for the cookies and the T-shirt. They really added to the experience. I also liked the experience of using tools. That was really fun. I also liked working in teams to build the house. It was amazing how the house came out. Thanks again for everything. That was an experience to remember!"

 Kara

"Thank you so much for inviting to PCC. It was really fun! I loved the cookies and milk. Yum! I was really thirsty so a drink helped a whole lot. I liked the t-shirts, and how colorful the house was, well, from the inside. I really liked the building the house too. I mainly just liked the whole thing, it was really fun. I enjoy the building, the cookies and milk, the t-shirt, and the colorful house, (from the inside), the instructors were really nice, using the tools was fun, I liked how the Home Depot people came to help us, I basically liked everything."

 Ashish

"I liked how you taught us that a house was like a human, and you need a strong foundation to start with."

 Christine Choi

"Thank you for helping me build a house. I really liked the way everyone was included and no one was left out. My favorite part of the program was when I drilled all those screws into the holes (even though I wasn't very good at it). I also learned a lot. I learned how in life we can use the subjects we learn in school to help us. I also learned how the house foundation and our bodies are alike. Thanks again for helping us with the house. I'm sure I'll never forget that day."

Jason Chen

"Thank you for inviting us to the "If I Had a Hammer" program. Using the ladders and tools were the best part of all. It's cool that it was a hands-on activity and experience. Thank you again for everything."

 Hannah Neal

"Thank you for a prodigious time! I loved all using all the tools. Thanks for having sooo much patience. I liked how you explained why we did everything, and how it relates to our life. Also thank you for giving us a chance to do it. That was a very fun project for 5^th graders."

 Michelle Chirdon

"Thanks for taking time out of your "job" too help us build the "colorful" house. It was fun! I mean to put together all the parts with a screwdriver. And always having a hammer hanging on to your belt. Well, I need to go now. I hope I can do that again!

Melanie Morris
Teacher-Barnes Elementary School

"An outstanding program. Pete Anderson was just great! So organized and enthusiastic!  On behalf of my class I would like to thank you for the marvelous "If I Had a Hammer" experience. It was such a delightful learning activity, and the math, science, learning-to-work together correlation was wonderful. It was the perfect "hands-on" activity for 5^th graders. Not only was everyone totally engaged, but we were rewarded with t-shirts, cookies, milk, and a deed of completion. You (Pete Anderson) were a great leader - full of enthusiasm and so good at showing the kids exactly what to do. Thank you again for the most educational morning."

Student Comments Verbatim
Melanie Morris' 5th Grade Class, Barnes Elementary

Casey Steele

 "I really liked going to PCC in teams and trying to build a wall/roof and door. It was very fun using power tools and hammers. One of the things I really liked were the different skills we used, I think I learned a lot about building. A T.V. show I really like is "Junk Yard Wars" and I thought of it because it was similar and that made it fun. My favorite part of this was probably building the roof. This program was the best field trip, tradition or activity that I have ever attended." 

Brittany Rankin

"Thank you Mrs. Robertson for paying the transportation to the Community College. I heard that the school was going to pay for it but then you said you would pay for it. Thanks again! We couldn't have done it without you! Thank you, Mr. Anderson for teaching us all how to build. Thanks for the milk and cookies. They were sooo good. I never knew screwdrivers were so dangerous. Thanks also for trusting us with the tools! My favorite part was EVERYTHING! Thanks again!" 

Jewell

"Thank you for the field trip and the fun time. I had a fun time building a house. I learned some new things even though my dad <Dan> already taught me these things. I learned sometimes it's hard to work as a team. But the fun part for me was drilling the holes. But I didn't think my dad would make a mistake. Well, have a fun time with the next class. PS. Please thank Mrs. Robertson for the transportation."

 Molly

"Thank you for letting us go to your school and learn about building. My favorite part was the house. I couldn't believe that I helped build a house!! Again thank you for letting us participate. PS. Thanks to Mrs. Robertson for the transportation!"

 Michael

"Thank you for teaching us how to build a house. I liked using the drill. It was fun to drill the screws in the board. I also liked standing on the ladder while helping attaching the roof. Also, thank you for the milk and cookies. Someday, I would like to go to your school. Thank you Mrs. Robertson for paying for the trip." 

Chris Thurheimer

"Thank you for letting us come and build a house with you. I'm glad we were all safe. It was very fun. I liked the part when we put in the windows. I hope you had as much fun as I did. PS. Thank you Mrs. Robertson." 

Erwin

"Thanks for letting us come to PCC and for teaching us how to build a house. Building a house is as fun as math. Thanks for the transportation, Mrs. Robertson."

 Dana Catt

"Thanks I had a great time. I want to thank you for showing me that math isn't just some silly numbers. My favorite part was walking the ladder."

Julie Glover
Parent

"It seems like a great education opportunity for the kids to experience architecture and building trades," "Especially in this area of Portland with so many new homes in this subdivision. It also emphasizes teamwork to the students and prepares them for the business world where you need to work as a team. My son asked me to volunteer before they had sent out the announcement about it. He was that excited."

Mary Rosencrans
Parent

"I am just writing to share with you my impressions of the "If I Had A Hammer" program.  While photographing my daughter's 5th grade class (from Jacob Wismer Elementary School) as they built their "home" at PCC Rock Creek, I was very excited about the experience.  The children seemed to enjoy being able to actually drill, hammer and build while working as a team.  What a great sense of self worth and satisfaction when it all came together.  I appreciated how well you worked with the children... speaking to them respectfully, at their level, and keeping them interested while you shared your knowledge and prepared them for their responsibilities as part of the team.  I am so pleased that my daughter was afforded this opportunity to put some of her learning into practice, and be exposed to skills new to her.  I only hope that the program will be around when my second grader reaches fifth grade.  I appreciate all of the people, time and effort that go into such a wonderful program."

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