The Literacy Corner

In our class library, we have a small collection of reading buddies for our students to enjoy. They have become a favorite addition to literacy activities, and they have made their way around the classroom to join in the learning at other centers as well.

You may be asking, “What are reading buddies?”

They are stuffed animals that have been affectionately named by our students that reside happily on the bookshelves with our class’s favorite books.

Having a nature-themed classroom, our reading buddies are typical forest friends: Snowy the Snow Owl, Mr. Racoon, Little Bear, Squeakers the Mouse, Oriole, Robin, and Chickadee. 

They are small (easy to carry in little hands), soft and fluffy (inviting to touch and hold), and amazing listeners.

Our classroom reading buddies have become a favored choice during center time.

Ms. Abby and I added individual lap desks to our Literacy Center which has heightened our students’ eagerness to visit the library as well.  

1. Holding a reading buddy is calming and comforting. You can see a student physically relax with a book when a reading buddy rests on their lap or sits snuggled in the crook of their arm.

2. By “reading” to a buddy, students are using their memory by recalling the book’s title, author, illustrator, characters, etc.

3. Students are reinforcing sequencing skills by recalling the order in which a story unfolds.

4. Students are utilizing communication skills and building vocabulary by reading to their buddies.

5. Students model what they learn. They pretend to be moms, dads, grandparents, and teachers reading books to their loved ones. They ask their buddies questions, use expressive voices, and follow the print with their fingertip like we do. 

6. They listen to their friends reading to their buddies.

7. They spark up conversations with their peers, work together to read to a group of reading buddies, and share opinions about books, characters, and illustrations.