At Bennett Elementary, two fifth grade reading teachers and their students embodied the Frenship Way as they reached out to younger grades to start a buddy reading activity.  

The culture of Frenship ISD is rich with a tradition of excellence, high expectations, and commitment to community and leadership. During the 2016 Frenship ISD Strategic Plan process, Frenship worked with the community to define the Frenship Way through the SERVE model – Smile, Engage, Respect, Volunteer, Encourage.  

Allison Darley and Patrica Davis not only wanted to help their fifth graders build confidence in their oral ready abilities, but to build up their leadership experience. The students were paired with younger students in grades from kindergarten to second grade and sat with them to read aloud their favorite books.  

“It’s a great way for our 5th graders to work on their fluency/oral reading and apply their knowledge of word chunking and other skills to help their buddy,” said Harley. 

The young students get to hear their buddy read and see the reading skills they learned be put to practice by another student. In addition to the oral reading practice, the fifth graders get to reinforce skills like empathy, leadership, kindness and compassion. 

The Frenship SERVE model is embodied by all students in the buddy reading activity. The younger students are engaging by listening carefully and showing respect to the fifth-grade reader. In return, the readers are encouraging their buddies to read.  

“It builds a sense of community within the school also knowing that from pre-kinder to 5th, we support each other and are wanting to help each other succeed,” said Harley. “One of my classes saw their buddy class in the hallway and they were so excited to see their buddy wave at them and remember them! They have already asked when we can go back to see their buddies!” 

The teachers plan to continue coordinating activities with their buddies, involving some other subjects such as science or math.