Buddy System Lesson Plan: 1st and 6th Grade Reading Partners

Grade Band: Early Primary (K–1)
Subject Area: English Language Arts

This free buddy system lesson plan pairs younger and older students so they learn reading, listening, and cooperation skills together. Students meet, interview each other, read aloud, and complete shared writing and art activities while practicing responsibility and communication.

Overview

This program is designed as a weekly partner meeting between two classes. Each session lasts about 30–40 minutes and is taught once per week for five weeks. Older students act as guides and role models while younger students practice early literacy and social skills. Every meeting follows a structured activity so both students know their role.

Learning Goals

Students will practice listening and speaking with a partner, read aloud and discuss a story, follow multi-step directions, and complete shared written and artistic work. Older students will guide and support younger students appropriately.

Materials

Interview question sheets, pencils, simple picture books, drawing paper, crayons or markers, chart paper, and a basic book response worksheet.

Preparation

Pair older and younger students in advance. Choose reading materials appropriate for beginning readers. Arrange seating so partners can sit side-by-side and talk quietly. Review expectations for safe and respectful partner behavior before the first meeting.

Teaching Procedure

Session 1 — Getting to Know Your Buddy (30–40 minutes)

1. Explain the purpose of the buddy program. Model how to greet a partner, introduce yourself, and listen without interrupting.
2. Partners meet and complete an interview sheet. Older students read questions aloud and record the younger student’s answers.
3. Partners identify two similarities and one difference and share one discovery with the class.

Session 2 — First Buddy Reading (30–40 minutes)

1. Model how to read aloud slowly, show pictures, and pause so a younger student can talk.
2. Older students read a picture book to their partner. Younger students make predictions and point to details in illustrations.
3. Partners discuss the favorite part of the story. The older student writes one sentence based on the younger student’s response.

Session 3 — Following Directions Together (30–40 minutes)

1. Demonstrate how partners share responsibility. One student reads directions while the other gathers materials.
2. Partners complete a guided drawing activity step by step.
3. Students name their drawing and write a short description together, then share with another pair.

Session 4 — Reading and Responding (30–40 minutes)

1. Partners select a new book. Older students pause while reading to ask questions about characters and events.
2. Younger students draw a favorite scene while explaining it aloud.
3. Older students label the drawing using the younger student’s words and help complete a simple response sheet.

Session 5 — Reflection and Celebration (30–40 minutes)

1. Partners review their original interview sheet and talk about what they learned about each other.
2. Each pair creates a small poster describing their partnership with a drawing and two sentences.
3. Pairs participate in a gallery walk and leave positive comments for other partners.
4. Class discussion: students describe how helping or being helped affected their learning.

Assessment

Assess participation, cooperation, completion of shared tasks, and ability to communicate respectfully. Look for improvement in reading confidence and partner interaction.

Differentiation

Provide sentence starters for older students who need help guiding a partner. Offer picture-choice responses for younger students who struggle to express ideas verbally. Adjust reading level as needed.

Extension Ideas

Teachers may continue weekly meetings for the remainder of the term, rotate partners, or create a shared class book of partner stories.