Importance of Buddy Reading at ISW

For the past couple months, the Year 4 class has been Buddy Reading twice a week to each of the Early Years programs. The benefits of this buddy reading program are profound.

Reading Buddies allow our younger learning partners to see what being fluent looks like as they have a peer model demonstrating reading skills; they can also acquire a positive role model with some intentional pairing. The older learning partners develop social and emotional skills like patience and empathy as they work with their littler buddies.

Additionally, for upper elementary learning partners who are English language learners, the opportunity to access easier reading material without stigma will help the LP grow confidence while sharing with a novice reader can create a positive experience with an activity that may otherwise be less than enjoyable. This activity helps the roots of the school community deepen as classes across campus work and share together

Angela Martin, Year Four, ISW