First graders met their sixth-grade Book Buddy for the first time on November 1. The annual JA program pairs an older and younger student for a year-long friendship.
Book Buddies is one of JA’s many intentional occasions for students across grades to learn from one another. The program also helps students develop a love of books, honoring JA’s founding principle that emphasizes the vital role of reading.
Sixth graders interview the first grader and, throughout the semester, write and illustrate a book about the first grader. At the end of the year, the completed bound book is presented by the sixth graders to first graders.
“Aside from the academic benefits for sixth graders working on writing and editing skills and for first graders practicing reading fluency, forming relationships is the best part of the Book Buddies program. It is a wonderful tradition,” said Lower School Librarian Lynn Watson.
Teachers prepare first graders for what to expect during the initial interview. They guide the young students on how to answer questions, advising them to avoid saying “I don’t know,” speak up so they can be heard, and let their sixth-grade buddy know what they are really like so that the book truly represents them.
Another way teachers prepare first graders is by teaching them about the creation of books. First graders write their first short story in January, illustrate it, and study fiction versus non-fiction.
The activities give JA students tangible ways to make reading an important and lasting part of their lives.
