By: Mrs. Lunnon
Holy Family Catholic School
Holy Family Catholic School is excited to announce that it has launched its new Reading Buddy program, made possible through a grant from the United Way of Rock River Valley. This program brings together approximately 350 students from kindergarten to 8th grade to foster a love for reading.
In this initiative, older students from 5th through 8th grade pair up with younger students, reading to them and supporting their literacy development monthly.
The Reading Buddy program develops essential reading skills in older and younger students. As the older students read aloud to their buddies, they coach them through critical reading techniques. These techniques include interpreting pictures and words, asking questions to build comprehension, and introducing new vocabulary. This peer-to-peer interaction creates an engaging learning environment where both age groups benefit from collaborative experience.
With the support of the United Way, Holy Family can enhance its students’ reading skills. This provides an opportunity for older students to take on a leadership role and serve as mentors and literacy guides to their younger peers. This mentorship helps build confidence and reinforces the importance of reading as a lifelong skill.
To ensure the success of the Reading Buddy program, Holy Family partnered with Dr. Karen Walker, a United Way consultant from Rockford University. Dr. Walker trained the older students to lead a read-aloud session effectively and support their buddies in developing essential reading skills.
The Reading Buddy sessions have quickly become a favorite activity for students across all grade levels. The younger students enjoy the one-on-one attention they receive from their older buddies, while the older students take pride in guiding and encouraging their peers. These interactions strengthen reading skills and build lasting relationships between students of different ages, creating a strong and connected sense of community within the school.
Holy Family Catholic School is grateful for the opportunity to bring students and the community together through the power of reading.