"You've Got a Friend in Me"

   Studies have shown that pairing younger learners with older can boost social and emotional learning skills for both groups of students, as well as accelerate the learning of these skills.  In fourth grade, we work year round with the students in second grade, building supportive and caring relationships that expand outside of the classroom.

 

   

 Each fourth grader is buddied up with one to two students from second grade. Every month, buddies meet and work on an activity that is tied to the second grade learning standards or a seasonal craft. This school year, for instance, buddies have made balloon parade animals for the Macy's Day Parade, completed Breakout EDU lessons that enable critical thinking skills, and created animals using geometric shapes. 

    Last week, fourth graders met with their second grade buddies to work on multidigit addition and subtraction with a creative twist! Second graders recently finished their third math unit on addition and subtraction to 1,000, making it a perfect opportunity for them to show their learning to their fourth grade buddy. Fourth graders observed their buddy explain their mathematical thinking, while also being there for support if their buddy became stuck on a problem.

    I saw my fourth graders become teachers themselves. If their buddy missed a step, they immediately sprung into action and guided their thinking instead of just telling the answer (teaching, not telling, is a skill fourth graders have been working on all year).

     Fourth and second grade buddies have also spent time together outside of our monthly activities. I have seen buddies play together at recess, as well as give sweet notes and words of encouragement to each other throughout the school day. While Spring has bloomed and the school year is coming to an end, these relationships will not!

"There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you. We stick together and see it through, cause you've got a friend in me." - Randy Newman