4Elementary School News

Kindergarten Buddies build friends and strengthen learning

Step into Stacey Lee's kindergarten classroom on most Friday mornings and you will find pairs of kindergartners and fourth graders reading books, writing, working on projects, and talking.

For the eighth consecutive year, fourth grade teacher Katie Briggs and Mrs. Lee have collaborated on Kindergarten Buddies, an informal program where fourth graders join kindergartners as tutors and friends.

In the beginning of the year, the elder students read to the younger, but as the year progresses, the younger put their new skills to work and read for the elder. But, the relationship is not limited to simply reading. Each pair may tackle a craft project or morning work such as practicing phonics or writing.

It is a mutually beneficial arrangement. It builds confidence in the kindergarteners as they learn to talk to older students and learn to overcome their hesitance to work with someone else other than Mrs. Lee. For fourth graders, this is a big step into a world of greater responsibility. They teach, help solve problems, serve as mentors, and develop close relationships with their younger students.

Kindergartners excitedly track the calendar and announce, "Today is Buddy Day!"

Fourth graders are equally enthusiastic asking, "Are we going to kindergarten today?"

Mrs. Briggs' class recently completed an assignment that asked each student's opinion of the program.

"Everyone likes it," reported Mrs. Briggs. The fourth graders like to teach and enjoy seeing the kindergartners learn from them. The relationships extend beyond classroom tutoring.

"The students get really excited at the Star Student assemblies when their buddy is chosen."

Several of the fourth graders were a part of Kindergarten Buddies when they were in Mrs. Lee's class and still remember their buddies.

<back