Buddy classes activities

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Home : 2008 : June : 15

Buddy classes activities
By jayshe

--Type step by step instructions for an art project. The 4th grader has to read and follow the directions and explain to the K. They both create the project, with the 4th helping the K with the harder parts. This was a
great success and really pointed out to 4th graders how important it is to read directions carefully!
--We used to take both 4 and K out to playground together and turn a jumprope while they jumped and sang jumprope rhymes. We found that many 4s couldn't jump rope and this was a fun way for them to learn with their little buddies.
--We did a Thanksgiving feast together, with 4s being

the pilgrims and Ks being the Indians. Each group presented a bit of a "program" for the other with songs, artwork, and posters. The Ks prepared the "meal" and it was great fun with all dressed in their paper headresses and hats!
--The K teacher set up a folder in a file box for each of her students. She and I worked out a schedule so that each 4 got to go to her class 2 or 3 times per week for about 15 minutes. They learned to quietly enter her class, go tap their buddy on the shoulder, and then read the book, help with the worksheet, or do whatever was in their little buddy's folder. We used the Busy Bear Listening color sheets that required the 4 to read the story and directions as the K colored the page following those directions, used letter flashcards, and all sorts of things. This gave the K teacher a way to individualize for her students and allowed the 4s to learn to follow directions and get some reading practice as well. Sometimes we would work together on the folders and I would write an instruction sheet for the folder for the 4 while she gathered the book, flashcards, etc. for the K for each folder. She and I worked together to pair our students carefully so that the 4/K pairs were more likely to work together well.
--Our students kept the same buddies all year unless there was some problem, such as one moving away. They were allowed to write one another notes and letters pen-pal style, and we got together at least once each week to either buddy-read, sing songs, do an art project, jumprope on the playground, etc. The K teacher and I worked very closely together and were able to use these times to intro units, culminate units, and to focus on holidays. It was great.