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<\/a><\/p>\n\u201cStudents can often be a little intimidated reading aloud at any age, but since both the older and young students take turns, the process helps improve both students\u2019 public speaking abilities,\u201d Simeone stated. She also has seen her fourth graders who may be struggling with their reading improve their skills when they tutor younger students.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat the students are able to do for each other by the end of the year is just amazing,\u201d said Simeone. \u201cFrom the beginning of the year to the end you see growth in each and every student – socially and academically.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Troyan, reading aloud is instrumental to a student\u2019s academic development in a variety of areas. In her class last year, one student was having difficulty reading aloud so partnering with an older mentor improved his confidence and public speaking. \u201cAt the beginning of the year he was having a difficult time, verbally, trying to say what he wanted, but at the end of the year when the students were sharing their puppet shows he was reading all the words fluently without missing a beat,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cTo see the fourth graders come into the classroom and explain what a text feature is to a first grader raises their confidence and they take ownership of their learning,\u201d according to Simeone. \u201cThis program gives them another teacher, another student to work with and grow alongside, which is especially helpful for those who need additional one-on-one time.\u201d<\/p>\n In addition to enhancing reading and writing skills, buddy mentorship teaches older students that they serve as role models for younger students. \u201cThe fourth graders love mentoring their buddies and they often wave at each other when they see one another in the hallway,\u201d said Troyan. \u201cIt\u2019s one of the cutest things you\u2019ll see.\u201d<\/p>\n Buddies Samuel Myers, first-grader, and Lilly Macedo, fourth-grader, agree that this program is a way to meet new friends and to help each other grow.<\/p>\n \u201cI really like getting new buddies and making new friends with the older kids,\u201d said Samuel. \u201cI\u2019ve made a lot of new friends.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n