All Kinds of Buddies

Working with others is a regular part of a child's life at Parker. What are some dispositions children need to possess in order to work successfully with their peers? Patience. Kindness. Active listening. Respect. An open mind. Leadership AND the ability to yield.

Every day, my students are stretching and practicing these skills, skills that are absolutely essential for later success. The children aren't just thrown together and expected to possess the stash of tricks that make for peaceful partnerships. We prepare. We practice. Every time we get together for partner/team work, we review and name the behaviors we need to share with each other. We set ground rules. Sometimes a "talking stick" is employed to ensure that every person has a chance to speak without interruption in a group. I mediate as necessary with the goal to set the children free ASAP to reset and keep going. As a group, we reflect together afterwards and ponder what, if any, tweaks are needed for the next go 'round. Of course there are rocky moments, but my days are typically full of opportunities to watch in awe as these young people demonstrate their collaborative powers.

BUDDIES
Each Friday, the 2-3s get together with their buddies from the 6-7-8s. This formal program provides our middle schoolers with great mentoring opportunities. The 2-3s are supported in their academic work as their buddies provide regular support and feedback in reading, writing, and research. Buddies also have chances to just be together and play. During the first formal sit down for this year's partners, we invited buddies to sketch together and get acquainted. This past Friday, they huddled with books and read, then headed out into the long-awaited sunshine to blow off steam and run around. 

CONNECTING THROUGH MUDDY BOOTS
Muddy Boots provides the 2-3s a chance to act as older buddies and exercise leadership with and care taking of the K-1s. It's a joy to watch them work with their younger peers and discover outdoors. We sloshed around together two weeks ago and enjoyed the rain tapping on the leaves. We searched for evidence of the changing season and noticed the leaves had taken on more color.

The puddles gave our rain boots a workout.

This past Friday, we welcomed the sunshine and tromped up the hill above the creek. Partners were asked to search for three things: something old, something round, something beautiful. We teachers watched them hunt and make decisions together. They proudly ran back to us and shared their treasures. What a beautiful way to end the week!