By Emary Tomerup, Sydney Dunlap, Berkeley Walker, Hailey Blue, Ryan Snook
Hayden Meadows 5th Grade Students
The fourth graders are reading with first graders and they don’t just read with them, they help them understand and help them become smarter. The fourth graders will be right by their side coaching them when they need it. And when they are struggling on words the fourth graders will be helping them by sounding out the words.
The fourth graders will listen to the first graders read and while they are reading they are practicing their fluency which helps them with their reading skills. Then they will ask comprehension questions about the book, and for some of the time they will read to the first graders. We want the first graders to be brave enough to talk to our fourth graders for help and be comfortable talking to different/older kids. We also want them to get better at reading and learn that if they are not that confident in their fluency, the fourth graders can help encourage the love of reading.
Within the classroom walls of Hayden Meadows Elementary there are certain benefits for all of the students older and younger. Reading with the 1st graders is a weekly ritual that gives the 4th graders an opportunity to show responsibility, and maturity. It is also an opportunity for Hayden Meadows fourth graders to work on how to talk with younger kids, and to work on coaching skills to help our first graders practice good reading skills. Some of the goals that came from this project was for our 1st graders to feel more comfortable reading to others, and so that our 4th graders learn mentoring skills and how to help without giving away the answer. A fourth grade teacher named Mrs. Lacaria said that one of the biggest goals is fluency and comprehension.
Teagan and Adaline, two fourth graders mentoring, responded to why they are helping, “I think it is helpful to them to read,” and “...I get to help him and see how he improves.” They also addressed this question, "Why is this program fun?”“It helps me get here on time and I feel more responsible,” and “I feel like he’s getting better at reading,” Also, first graders were asked “What have you been getting better at? Their replies were “It helps me a lot,” and “I’m better at sounding out words.” Overall, it seems that this program benefits both mentor and mentee.
In conclusion, the goals and outcomes can completely benefit a fourth grader by inspiring them to work hard, to help, and to be encouraging. It can help the first graders by getting them more help and working on reading out loud. Fourth graders reading with 1st graders first thing in the morning as a reading intervention and school community building is completely benefiting Hayden Meadows kids. Hayden Meadows creates lasting bonds with this mentoring.Ultimately, this buddy system is a perfect example of how older and younger students can lift each other up. When we make time for reading together, we are making our whole school a better, smarter place! We are all in this together.
