Buddy Reading: Cross-Age Tutoring in a Multicultural School

In this book, Samway, Whang, and Pippitt describe their experiences in establishing and maintaining a cross-age reading program in a multiethnic, multilingual inner-city school in Oakland, California. What began as an effort to engage one underachieving fifth-grade boy evolved into an effective cross-age tutoring program, involving first/second grade students and fifth/sixth grade students, most of whom were acquiring English as a non native language.

As a result of this program, the authors witnessed compelling growth among the fifth/sixth grade students as teachers and learners. The younger students gained confidence in both oral language and reading skills.

The authors share their experiences here so that you may enjoy the same successes and rewards. They offer practical suggestions on setting up and maintaining a cross-age reading program, as well as solutions to logistical problems. The appendix includes books and magazines popular with students.