By Cassie Bingham, Communications Specialist
At Guadalupe School the gift of a quality education continues to give through students who are happy to pass down their knowledge and help the next generation succeed. Our school has traditions that allow for educational interaction between younger and older students, emphasizing the importance of learning and teaching in an effort to expand the minds of our students. One of these traditions is the team of amazing sixth grade students who are chosen each year as "Peer Leaders." They meet to put together skits and videos based on character traits the school is learning about, in order to present them to younger students at school assemblies.
Recently a new, similar activity was established. Last month, fourth grade students visited their younger counterparts in preschool. They were able to pick a preschool "friend" with whom they sat down to read a book. Some of the partnerships were even real-life siblings! The older kids gained experience being teachers, and felt the happiness that comes from sharing knowledge with others; meanwhile, the younger kids received attention from peers they look up to, and were able to see their role models as youth who value reading and education.
Teachers and students enjoyed the activity so much that they have decided to do it again, and hopefully make it a regularly repeating event. Although Guadalupe School greatly appreciates its talented teachers and paraprofessionals, we also understand the need to find innovative ways of teaching concepts like literacy to young students. Children become more engaged and receptive when they learn in unique ways, and they are able to move forward developing a passion for reading and education.