Buddies Make Learning Fun

For students of any age, school can be stressful. Academic expectations, social pressures, even navigating a building can be challenging for students to manage. At Placer Academy, we understand these challenges and support our TK-6 students with innovative programs and initiatives. But sometimes, our simplest solution is also one of the most effective: buddies.

Bigs and Littles
​Placer Academy’s Buddy program is called “Bigs and Littles” for a reason. We pair up older grade students with younger ones. Buddies are typically assigned by teachers and the pairings meet once a month throughout the school year. 

Learning Together
Buddies work on shared projects together, often tackling the same topic with age-specific assignments. Projects with buddies may include reading, math and STEM activities.

This year, our third graders helped their first grade buddies with research on animals, and worked together to design and present a google slideshow presentation on their learnings. Our fifth graders and TK students worked together to learn about plants through art and science projects.

A Helpful Hug
Our Littles love seeing their Big Buddies around school during the school day. They run up and hug them at recess, and sometimes that friendly face is all it takes to turn a challenging day into a great day!

Everyone Benefits
Buddy systems give Big Buddies an opportunity to shine outside of an academic realm - as leaders and as friends. It rewards social emotional intelligence, builds self-esteem, and helps students of all ages feel at home within our learning community. And our Littles benefit too - through connections with role models that they can look to for guidance and support. 
 
Encouraging an atmosphere of cooperation and support across grades is just one of the many ways that Placer Academy cares about our students. We serve TK-6 with tuition-free charter education. Find out more and join us today!

About Placer Academy
 
Placer Academy is a TK-6 tuition-free, public charter school serving students in Rocklin, Lincoln, and Roseville CA and the surrounding areas. Placer Academy inspires with hands-on, Project Based Learning, giving each student the support they need to succeed. Our caring teachers and staff encourage families to be closely involved in our tight-knit community, and we partner with many area businesses on inspiring service learning projects and field trips. Join our public charter school today! Enrolling now.  

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