Reading Buddies Boost Learning, Build Bonds

When you hear about “cross-grade collaboration” in schools, you might assume it refers to teachers. At ACORN Woodland Elementary (AWE), it also applies to kids: Every Friday, Ashley Martin’s 5th-graders visit Pam Adair’s 2nd-grade classroom for their weekly Buddy Reading session.

“We help teach the 2nd-graders how to read and write,” explains 5th-grader Storm. “We read with them because we want the little buddies to learn and have fun and be very smart.”

2nd-grader Luis, Storm’s reading buddy, elaborates on the collaboration. “Storm does high-frequency words with me, so I can practice them,” he says. “We also write some sentences and do partner spelling and play Hangman.”

Their teachers have watched the program evolve beyond reading, as well. “Buddy Reading started out as just that: reading together,” reflects Adair. “But now, it’s so much more. If a 2nd-grader has a hard day with behavior, he or she is sent upstairs to spend a little time with a 5th-grade buddy, who helps support, advise, and calm [the student]…The older buddies [also] took a lot of responsibility recently for our big Career Day, helping the younger ones come up with and write down appropriate questions for the speakers.”

“What I like about Buddy Reading,” says 2nd-grader Ana, “is you get to spend time with your buddy and improve your reading.”

Her buddy, 5th-grader Dalia, concurs. “During Buddy Reading, you get to hang out with the little kids and show them new stuff. You know, I feel good about it because I know I’m doing something for the younger kids, like the older kids did for me when I was in 2nd grade,” she says. “I really like helping the 2nd-graders learn and get their grades higher on the benchmark tests.” (Spoken like a future 5th-grade teacher!)

“Buddy Reading has been a huge support to the school culture we’ve developed at AWE,” says Martin, Dalia’s teacher. “It gives the 5th-graders the opportunity to authentically demonstrate our core values, especially leadership. It encourages them to behave at all times and demands that they persevere academically because their little buddy is always watching. I love seeing the students become such strong support systems for one another. This is, by far, my favorite time of the week!”