Learning and Growing with our Buddies
By Viviana Kwekel
Every school year Grant Christian School coordinates older with younger classes in a “buddy time” twice a month. The 7th/8th graders pair up with the kindergartens. The 5th/6th with the 1st/2nd graders and the 3rd/4th grade meets with the preschoolers. When we meet as buddies we either stay in our classroom or go to our buddies' classroom. Sometimes if the weather is nice we go outside. We normally create projects with them but sometimes we play games. The last two times the 7th and 8th graders have met as buddies we have made crafts involving apples. We normally create things related to what the younger kids are learning or the seasons. We do this to become better acquainted and build trust with each other. As a small school we have a wonderful opportunity to interact in this way. When we meet, the younger kids look up to us. Buddies are so much fun to work with. The littles learn and grow with us.