Henry Puffer recently launched this year’s Early Morning Reading Buddies Program. The program provides older students – fifth and sixth graders – with an opportunity to mentor younger students – typically kindergarteners and first graders. The program meets before school, twice per week.
Older and younger students pair up and take turns reading together. First, older students read stories to their younger buddy. This helps the beginning readers develop listening comprehension, while the older students model fluent reading with expression. The younger students receive leveled reading material, under the supervision of Jennifer Woods, Henry Puffer’s reading specialist. This gives them the opportunity to build their reading fluency and comprehension skills while interacting with stories at their independent reading levels. If they finish their books, they can complete fun math exercises and games together.
”We have run this program for the past several years and find the program to be an all-around positive experience,” said Henry Puffer Principal Todd McDaniel. “Mrs. Woods dedicates a lot of her own time to train the older students on how to read to their younger buddy, organizing buddy pairs, selecting leveled reading material and packing reading bags, as well as coming in early and overseeing the early morning sessions. We are fortunate to have several staff members and a group of parents who come to the gym and assist in getting the buddies up and going in the mornings.”
Mr. McDaniel added that in addition to the reading benefits, the program offers a strong social-emotional learning component as well.
“The program instills a sense of helping community in our older students while giving the younger children an older student to look up to,” Mr. McDaniel said. “Often times you’ll find our younger buddies spotting their older buddy in the hallway. A smile appears on their face and they wave excitedly at their buddy.”
The students have responded very positively to the program. In fact, more than 50 students are participating in Early Morning Reading Buddies this school year, a record high!
“I really like being a mentor and spending time with my kindergarten buddy, Sophia,” said Bella, a fifth grader. “We have a lot of fun reading together!”