Study of the Effects of a Buddy Reading Program on the Reading Achievement and Attitudes of Kindergarten and Grade Seven Students at Abbotsford Christian School, Heritage Campus

Author

Susan M. Dykshoorn

Date of Award

4-2005

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Education (MEd)

Department

Graduate Education

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a Buddy Reading Program on reading levels and attitudes towards reading. A Buddy Reading Program is a type of peertutoring strategy that can be used across various grade levels spanning from kindergarten through grade 12. As defined in this project, a Buddy Reading Program pairs older students with younger students in a language arts setting. The older students prepare a short reading lesson and tutor the younger students in hopes of improving reading success.

This study took place using a control group of one kindergarten class of 18 students and 12 randomly selected grade seven students. The experimental group consisted of the second kindergarten class (18 students) and the remainder of the grade seven students (12 students) at Abbotsford Christian School, Heritage Campus. The grade seven students who were part of the Buddy Reading Program were assigned to one or two kindergarten children and spent time reading books and teaching the kindergarten students short language arts lessons. All the kindergarten students were tested before and after the length of the program using a letter and sounds identification test and the Elementary Reading Attitudes Survey (The Reading Teacher, 1990). The grade seven students were tested before and after the Buddy Reading Program using the John’s Reading Inventory and Word List (2001), and a reading attitudes survey developed by the researcher. Results showed only statistically significant improvements in the grade seven word lists. Other results including reading level and attitudes towards reading for the kindergarten children were not statistically significant. Minor improvements in reading levels and attitudes towards reading were evident in the grade seven students who participated in the program, but these improvements were not statistically significant.

Comments

Action Research Report Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Education

Recommended Citation

Dykshoorn, Susan M., "Study of the Effects of a Buddy Reading Program on the Reading Achievement and Attitudes of Kindergarten and Grade Seven Students at Abbotsford Christian School, Heritage Campus" (2005). Master of Education Program Theses. 23.
https://digitalcollections.dordt.edu/med_theses/23