2nd Grade Reading Partners

As the children have adjusted to the new school year and we have become more connected with each other in the Cardinal classroom,  we realized that we were ready to begin to intentionally expand our sense of community with the larger AFS Lower School community.  We had been involved in conversations with the 2nd grade teachers about establishing partnerships with the older children and had wonderful discussions about the value of these connections for both age groups of children.   How could we help facilitate a meaningful connection between the 2nd graders and our Early Childhood group?  Recognizing that we have the gift of time, and know that  establishing a long-term relationship over the course of the school year will simply evolve as the children interact and spend time with each other, we still felt that establishing some sort of intentional partnership would help facilitate this goal.  An important part of the second grade program is for the students to become more comfortable and confident in reading aloud.  Second grade teachers felt that connecting with the younger children as reading partners would be a wonderful way to support confidence building , community and oral reading skills.  We loved the whole idea of having older friends as partners for our children as well.
At Morning Meeting we talked about  our visitors and discussed ways that we could be welcoming and ways we could help to get to know new friends.  Again, an incredibly sensitive, thoughtful conversation from our children.

Our partners arrived around 9:15 and after a brief group introduction, we formed small groups and clusters, with our second grade partners and found cozy spots to read aloud. It was really so very special to see the beginnings of these relationships developing. Our children were so respectful as they listened to their new friends reading their books  and seemed to really enjoy this 'big kid ' experience.

  Our partners were having such a good time that we invited them to stay longer for Choice Time if they were available.  They were able to join us for about a half hour and the children loved playing with second graders in the block area, art area, puzzles, sand table and dramatic play area.  Magna Tiles were a popular spot as well!  We enjoyed an open snack together with our new friends and especially loved hearing all about 2nd grade.  We learned that they are making teddy bears and that their bears have names, clothing and real personalities!  We are hoping that they will bring their bears on a future visit.