Reading Buddies

A wonderful extension of mixed-age buddies is the buddy relationship my second graders have had with their fourth grade buddies. There they read and are read to from their book boxes. This exchange builds confidence in the little ones and brightens the days of the older kids. 

Our second graders gain from the experience, not only in learning about reading, but also in having successful social interactions with others. They learn reading behaviors, listening skills, and book selection strategies. They become more willing to converse with older friends and more adept at interacting with others.

Using the Marketplace Strategy to Make Class Rules

We used a constructivist strategy called, Marketplace, which gave students the responsibility for planning and developing their own learning on a particular topic-in this case the topic of school behaviors and rules. 

This worked really well in developing a sense of independence and confidence. Not surprisingly, students enjoyed it more than having me in front of the room talking the whole time about how they should behave.

Each member of the group was responsible for taking back whatever it was that they had learned in the other groups to their home group. 

The home group members then had to synthesize the material in the form of a poster using no more than 10 words. 

Everyone was required to work at all times, otherwise the home groups would be unable to complete their challenge, which was a "test" of their learning. 

Students learned so much more when their peers are teaching them and I'm glad to say everyone passed the test!

Each member viewing the content via video. 

Group members reporting back what they learned via the video and working together to synthesize their learning by creating a poster using no more than 10 words. 

Marketplace. Members switch roles in presenting their poster and teaching their peers.

Test time. After peer teaching and gathering the information, students showed their learning.

Each group's poster was placed along the wall so students could refer to them to complete their "test".