Reading Buddies Create Culture of Learning and Care

As Boulevard teacher Tameka Bradley looked around her classroom at her 4th and 5th grade students sitting on rocking chairs and tucked into cozy corners hunched over picture books with their 2nd grade Reading Buddies, she sighed and said, “This makes my teacher heart happy.”

The partnership began in the fall when Laura Preston’s 2nd graders noticed a hallway bulletin board displaying the older students’ projects on ecosystems. Because the younger students had also been studying ecosystems, they had a shared language for discussing the concepts the older students’ work highlighted. The two teachers decided to get together so the 4th and 5th graders could present their projects to their younger schoolmates.

And Reading Buddies were formed. The two classes get together once or twice a month, usually for pairs of students to enjoy a book together. On a recent Friday afternoon, the younger friends arrived clutching picture books of their choosing. They quickly found their partners and the “hum of learning” began as little voices filled the space.

Two girls recited Tikki Tikki Tembo's full name together every time it appeared in the text. Another 2nd grader sat proudly between his twin buddies, little Angela read enthusiastically from her chosen book, and Miles sat with rapt attention as Jack read aloud to him. 

Ms. Preston said the benefits to her students are many: “They have another kid in the building they might never otherwise interact with who now looks out for them. They’re exposed to fluent readers. And they gain confidence as they become independent readers on their own.” For her, the opportunity to walk around and casually listen to and assess the skills her students are demonstrating is invaluable.

And the lessons extend beyond just literacy. When one 2nd grader was struggling to master subtraction with borrowing, he shut down in frustration, refusing help from his teacher and classmates. Finally, Ms. Preston asked if he wanted to practice with his Reading Buddy, a suggestion he eagerly accepted.

The older boy escorted the younger up to his classroom where they found a quiet corner and were able to bond over the fact that the now competent 5th grader had once struggled with the very same concept, before digging into practice. “That made a difference to both of them,” said Ms. Bradley. “Teaching is the highest form of understanding."

The older students also learn valuable social-emotional skills, including patience and how to budge a conversation along when faced with a reluctant young partner. Eleanor, whose buddy happens to be her younger sister, pointed out that their relationship at school is different from their relationship at home “because we have different personalities at home and at school.”

And Nate articulated something that teachers and parents have long known: “It’s better to read with someone than to read at them.”