Taft fifth graders build connections with first grade buddies

Taft Elementary School fifth graders in Gina Hannon and Stephen Elting’s class are partnering with students in Michelle McElroy’s first grade class this year, building connections across grade levels through activities and time spent together.

The partnership also gives the school’s oldest students a chance to take on a new responsibility as role models. After years of learning the routines, expectations and community at Taft, fifth graders are now in a position to help first graders who are just beginning their own time at the school.

Ms. Hannon sees the partnership as an opportunity for fifth graders to recognize the role they play in setting a positive example, knowing their younger buddies may be watching how they carry themselves around school.

“It’s also just building that relationship, so there is somebody they can look up to and aspire to be,” she said. 

The students began building those relationships earlier this month when they met their buddies for the first time. For their introductory activity, first graders interviewed their fifth grade partners, while the older students helped them with writing and spelling. Together, they also talked about their goals for the school year.

On Friday, the classes came together for a second time to make superhero-themed bookmarks for the first graders to use during independent reading. Fifth graders worked alongside their buddies, helping them color and decorate their bookmarks.

Fifth graders Mason Pascale and Patrick Grady are both partnered with first grader Gavin Hannon.

“I like having a first grade buddy because we can teach the younger kids some stuff, and I’ll be friends with them throughout the year before we go into sixth grade,” Mason said.

Patrick hopes he can use his experience at Taft to make school a little easier for Gavin.

“I hope I can help them have school life a little easier,” Patrick said.

Friday’s activity is one of several ways the classes hope to keep the buddies connected throughout the year. Ms. Hannon said they are planning more opportunities to read together and looking for simple ways for fifth graders to show up for their buddies during the school day.

The fifth graders are even preparing birthday cards for their buddies. When a first grader’s birthday comes around, their fifth grade buddy will be ready to hand-deliver one as another small reminder that they have an older friend at Taft.