Book Buddies: Building Relationships Through Reading

The 4th grade class recently met with their Pre-K book buddies for the first time, beginning a special relationship that will continue throughout the school year. Right now, the 4th graders are reading to their Pre-K friends, but as the year goes on, some of the younger students will be ready to start reading to their book buddies as well. Each student keeps the same buddy throughout the year, giving them the opportunity to develop a meaningful relationship. For many students, Book Buddies is their favorite time of the week!

Book Buddies is a wonderful opportunity for 4th graders to share their "love for little kids and reading" as they read "funny and interesting" books to their Pre-K buddies every Friday. Along the way, the experience opens the door to many opportunities, including "getting to practice reading out loud," "teach them (preschoolers) new words," and getting to "become friends." In some cases, students even have the opportunity to be paired with their cousins!

As the students get to know one another, the older students have a chance to "feel like a teacher," while the preschoolers get to "learn from someone else." Together, they build a "comfortable, welcoming, quiet, and nice" community where everyone can develop a "love for reading" while encouraging each other to "have fun."

Experiences like Book Buddies are what make a student's experience at St. John Lutheran School so unique and special. Our students have opportunities to learn not only from their teachers, but also from one another across grade levels, building relationships and growing together as a school family. Book Buddies is a wonderful example of how learning at St. John extends beyond the classroom and creates lasting connections between students.