I thought I would share the highlights of our presentation as a blog post to help other schools jumpstart this program or to bring awareness to. Why your school should have a Peer-To-Peer Program. Our Student Buddy Program not only helps our younger students feel safe, valued and connected to the school community, but it also makes our older students, the buddies to the lower level grades, feel valued and respected. Mission; Impact; Vision and Goals; History; PROGRAMS. 1.800.89.BUDDY (1.800.892.8339) Find a US Program. Buddy Programs for Elementary Schools. Leah Davies. The Teacher Counselor. Many schools employ . The most effective programs join groups of students at least two grade levels apart; each older student is paired with a young child in their buddy class. Buddy programs provide children with stimulating opportunities for learning and skill development. They make comments such as . He says nice things to me! Due to the extra attention and assistance, the younger children`s work often improves. As the older students assume the role of teacher, they are motivated to do their best.
Amazon.com: Peer Buddy Programs for Successful Secondary School Inclusion (9781557669803): Carolyn Hughes Ph.D., Erik Carter Ph.D.: Books. They experience pride in their ability to be helpful. The younger children bond with the older buddy, and friendships flourish as the year progresses. The children usually spend between 3. In some cases, students sit with their buddies during lunch or have time together on the playground. Some younger students make posters and cheer for their older buddies who are on sports teams. Treats are sometimes shared for holiday celebrations, and students may exchange notes or cards for special occasions. SETTING UP A BUDDY PROGRAM. If the buddy students are to meet often, it is helpful if the two participating teachers have similar teaching styles. The schedules can be flexible since there are only two teachers involved. Typically, the teachers take turns planning the sessions. If possible, the two classes of children meet once or twice before buddies are paired. These times might be spent playing . Some teachers invite input from their students as they create buddy matches; they might ask children to write down names of three students they would like as their buddy. The teachers match the children by considering the requests as well as the academic, emotional, and social development of the students. They may partner children who both have reading difficulties, a shy child with an outgoing one, or a calm child with an active one. Also, if there are more children in the older class than the younger one, a child may have two buddies. Pairing older students who are good friends is not recommended since they may pay more attention to each other than to their buddy. Team- building exercises and role- plays can be included to provide students with listening and non- judgmental responding skills. The training might also emphasize guidelines for a successful program - - such as no . Older students might read to their buddies and/or listen to the younger child read. The session can include a snack. It might be held in either classroom, outdoors, or any other convenient place. Buddies might read books, write stories, plan skits, do science experiments, play math games, cook, sing songs, go on scavenger hunts, complete art projects, or go on field trips. In some schools, young children dictate stories to the upper- grade students who write everything down in a Buddy Journal. Projects completed by buddies might be shared with other students and/or displayed in the library, hallway, or classroom. Computer activities provide an opportunity for older students to show what they know. As a result, both buddies' computer skills are fostered. Since younger children look up to older students, the older buddies try hard to be of assistance, and their feelings of self- worth are enhanced. Special Ed. Buddies. Some buddy programs include special education students. A teacher may pair older children with preschool or elementary age children in special education classes to read together or participate in activities. Information on Best Buddies, an International Buddy Program for people with intellectual disabilities, can be found at www. If a student is not relating well to his or her buddy, teachers need to offer guidance, support, and possibly make changes. The program can also include a mix of small group work as well as partner projects. For example, if the students decide to present a play at the end of the year, they could write it, assign parts, practice lines, paint scenery, make costumes, and perform it for faculty, students, and/or parents. Buddies can help these students make successful transitions. In these cases, buddies might be older students or classmates who assist them in finding their way around and by answering their questions. A student who speaks the newcomer`s language is a great asset to the learner. However, it only includes children in need of academic assistance. An older student is paired with a child he or she tutors once or twice a week before or after school or during school hours. Some programs are coordinated by an elementary school counselor or by a school librarian. The form they take is varied and flexible. A program might begin when a principal asks two interested teachers to establish a partnership. As Sue Gruber, a kindergarten teacher whose class buddies with a sixth- grade class wrote, . It really brings out the best in the kids.
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