The Reading Buddies program at Mehlville School District’s Point Elementary, started by Cynthia Biggs 15 years ago, pairs fourth and fifth-grade students with a buddy from kindergarten, first, or second-grade to improve reading skills.

At the start of each morning, for about 10 to 15 minutes, the older students read and play literacy games with their younger buddies. They focus on basic reading skills like recognizing common words quickly. The program helps younger kids learn to read better and makes older kids more confident.