Buddies!

As sixth graders, students take great pride in being leaders in our school. One way that they show this leadership is through the work they do with their Kindergarten buddies. Each sixth grader is paired up with a Kindergartener and they are buddies for the entire year. We spend 30 minutes together each week and the benefits from this time together are amazing to see. 

                   

 

One benefit that comes from this time is the relationships that are formed. They look forward to seeing each other each week, and even work to find each other in the morning to say hello! It gives Kindergarteners an older student in the school to recognize and look up to. They can ask them questions, and this gives them a way to feel more comfortable in a new school.

Another benefit of this time is the social skills developed by both grade levels. Sixth graders learn patience and how to coach others through tasks, while Kindergarteners work on listening to directions and working with others. Sixth graders take on the role of being a mentor. 

We truly look forward to this time each week and the students are already excited for the end of the year field trip that we take together to the zoo!