The girls in 4th and 1st classes met up outside today to further engage in the Book Buddies program. It was a beautiful day, and there is no better place than the school garden.
It was a wonderful experience, and the girls got some fantastic reading done.
Book Buddies will continue throughout the year, and will involve all aspects of the English curriculum; Reading, writing, and Oral Language.
There are so many benefits to Book Buddies:
For younger children:
- hearing stories read-aloud (modeling of reading fluency, phrasing and expression)
- having conversations with an older student about topics that interest and involve them (extending their vocabulary, oral language abilities)
- having regular opportunities to practice familiar reading with 1:1 assistance
- enjoying fun, positive experiences with ‘big kid’ who is now a recognizable face in the school community
For older children:
- further developing their own literacy skills
- fostering leadership and problem-solving skills
- improved self-confidence that comes from being looked-up to
- a very real and important reason to be responsible, and an opportunity to be ‘caught’ (and praised) for positive behaviour.
(References from "ThatReadingTeacher", 2021)
