Finley P. is discovering a love for reading.
“It relaxes me to read,” he said. “My mom and I read before bed every night.”
A second-grader at Jesus Moroles Expressive Arts Vanguard, Finley was introduced to the world of books at his school’s library. Every month, his class goes to the library to listen to a story read aloud–and handpicked by their eighth-grade buddy.
Known as the Book Buddy Program, the idea was inspired by Adam Benoit, librarian at Moroles, and Madeline Whitacre, an eighth grade reading teacher. The two wanted to find a way to foster a love of reading while getting more students in the library, and introducing them to all the resources it has to offer.
This year, Moroles unveiled a newly upgraded library, complete with makerspaces, a podcast studio, 3-D printers, robotics equipment, and more. The renovations brought new opportunities to engage with students, Benoit said.
“One of my goals was to ensure that middle school kids had the same opportunities in the library as elementary students,” he said. “We wanted to get eighth graders more engaged. They were coming in, but weren’t super excited.”
Through the Book Buddy Program, elementary students are paired with an eighth grader, who picks a book from the school’s library and works with Benoit on their presentation skills. Each month, the eighth grader reads the story aloud to their elementary school buddy, complete with facial expressions and different voices for the characters.
“It’s getting their fluency skills up without them knowing,” Benoit said. “They’re learning interpersonal connection skills and how to be a mentor and leader.”
Giving her students a chance to read aloud is key, Whitacre added.
“Presentation is huge and reading to your peers is huge,” she said. “It prepares them for high school and college. We’re on our phones so much, and it’s important to learn that kind of social interaction.”
Whitacre leads by example.
“I read aloud in my classes, so they can see me do it, and go off that,” she said.
When looking for a book to read to his buddy, D.J. G., an eighth grader, said he thinks about what he liked to read when he was younger.
“I look for something that is more animated and has pictures,” he said.
For some eighth graders, reading out loud to an audience is out of their comfort zone, but Whitacre reminds them they are leading by example and becoming positive role models in their buddy’s life.
“When we go back to our classroom, they always ask when we are doing it again, and want to do it more often,” she said. “I love watching my kids have a smile on their face, giggling with their buddies. Those little moments make a big difference.”
Rosalia F., a second grader, said her buddy’s presentation is her favorite part of story time.
“I like it when they make voices for the characters,” she said.
Rosalia even started incorporating those presentation skills when she reads to her family at home.
“My favorite part about reading is that I can make voices,” she said. “If it’s funny, I use a funny voice, but if it’s sad, I can use a sad voice.”
Her classmate, Ariana F., said she also likes reading to her family at home. She even started writing her own stories.
“I write about my life, about my dreams, and my mom,” she said. “When I get older, I want to write.”
Ariana’s advice to eighth graders who might be nervous about reading out loud is simple.
“You’re smart and brave. It’s okay to be afraid,” she said. “You’re still you, you’re just reading.”
