Friday Fun

What do you get when you take one Third Grade class and teacher and add to it 24 five and six year olds???   Why you get Kindergarten Reading Buddies!!!

Kaelan and his Buddy

This opportunity is so full of learning opportunities for my class, it gives me goosebumps just thinking about it!  While reading, we are working on fluency (reading smoothly and with expression), quick word attack skills, appropriate speaking volume, choosing books for various purposes, choosing just-right books, reading for pleasure, communication, and displaying appropriate behavior.  Later this year, we will take our reading buddies to the computer lab with us and help them as they work on RAZ-kids, an online reading program.

Logan and his  Buddy

Some of my students who struggle reading are able to read aloud books written on a much lower level and experience success!  It is amazing and encouraging to watch as students who have low self-esteem in reading proudly select and read to their Kindergarten Buddy.  There are students who hate reading that are willing to pick up a book and read to their Buddy.  Creating opportunities for students to feel successful and enjoy reading is but one step towards my goal of making life-long readers!

I am so appreciative to Mrs. Dugan for opening up her class to us and allowing us to build positive relationships with younger students.  My kids LOVE going and ask several times throughout the week if we will go meet our Buddies!  It is not unusual to see my kids and Mrs. Dugan's kids hug before they leave or wave "hello" as our classes pass each other in the hall!  Below are some more pictures of our class and our Buddies.  Enjoy!

Macy and her Buddy

Abbey and her Buddies

Alex and his Buddy 

Hannah and her Buddy

Keegan and his Buddy 

Piercen and his Buddy picking out another book.

JJ and his Buddy