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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhite explains that while it would help lower-grade students with reading, it would also benefit older students\u2019 leadership and continued literacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe older kids develop a sense of leadership from it,\u201d she said. \u201cBut we also know that older kids are struggling with reading. Sometimes it can feel embarrassing for their peers to see that they are at a much lower level. However, when they get to do Reading Buddies with a much younger student, it seems like they are the ones who are teaching and modeling for the younger students. It gives them a sense of ownership, and they feel confident and empowered.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
White said that children participate in the program twice a month. Students choose from a selection of books that the teacher prepares for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTeachers gather a selection of books for the students to choose from,\u201d she said. \u201cThat\u2019s because sometimes fifth grade students might choose a book appropriate to them, but a third grader might not be ready to read [it]. Even with the read-aloud books, teachers help students choose books that are appropriate to read aloud together.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to White, the program has caught on at the elementary school, and children look forward to each reading session.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe students love it,\u201d she said. \u201cI had a fifth grade teacher tell me earlier that one of her second grade students ran into her older reading buddy in town and was so excited to see her reading partner outside [of] school. The student ran over, hugged her, and introduced her to her family. Students are constantly asking when they will be able to read again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n As a librarian, White said there is no greater joy than seeing a child\u2019s love of reading blossom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cReading is my thing, and I want kids to read,\u201d she explained. \u201cI want them to read for enjoyment, but if they don\u2019t have the basics behind them, they\u2019re not going to get there. I love that we\u2019re promoting the literacy side of it, but it\u2019s great that the students enjoy it. So often, they have to read at certain levels or specific texts related to their curriculum. This program allows them to enjoy variety and some choice in what they read. Amazingly, they love it.\u201d GN<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" READING TAKES us places. We journey to new worlds, gain new ideas, and learn as we read. Without solid reading skills, we stay in one place or go backward. We can become uncomfortable and unsure of ourselves, choosing safety over anxiety and challenge. Literacy is essential to developing a strong sense of well-being. Study after […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":10269,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10258","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-stories"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/goodnewsmags.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/IMG_2062-1024x768.jpg\")
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