Thursday mornings bring our sixth and second graders together for something special: reading buddies.
Our middle school students embrace this opportunity to guide younger readers through stories, chapter books, and new vocabulary. They choose books carefully, practice their expression, and create welcoming spaces where second graders feel comfortable trying new words and asking questions.
The younger students light up when their buddies arrive. They gain enthusiastic reading partners who bring stories to life with animated voices and genuine excitement and they also make remarkable motivators: They laugh at character voices, gasp at plot twists, and remember everything their older buddies teach them. That attention affects middle schoolers positively.
These sessions build fluency naturally because reading becomes something enjoyable to share rather than a task to complete alone.
What makes the program valuable extends beyond literacy skills:
Second graders get more than practice reading. They gain reading companions who remember what tricky words feel like, who celebrate small victories and make literacy feel like an joint adventure.
The sixth graders? They’re learning leadership without knowing it. Patience. Preparation. The realization that their choices matter to someone other than themselves.
Teachers observe how the program strengthens our school community. Students from different grade levels recognize each other in hallways, creating connections that contribute to a positive school culture.
