乐播传媒

First Place Winner

First Post:

My Little Buddy's name is Hajun, and he is a third grader who attends school locally. He was born in South Korea and can fluently speak Korean and English. He is very interested in books about animals and countries. In fact, during our first session, we read three books about animals and their unique characteristics (animal vs. animal). I've learned that Hajun's favorite type of animals are reptiles; he loves reading about lizards, snakes, and alligators. He is also very interested in traveling and learning about other countries. During our session, we read about South Korea so I could better understand where Hajun was from. We also talked about his favorite National Parks, which I thought was pretty cool because I love exploring National Parks. He told me that I should visit Yosemite National Park because that is his favorite one he has been to. We really made a connection over our love of nature and instinctual curiosity, that helped make the rest of the session quite fun.

After talking briefly about his potential story ideas, we both decided he would write a story about animals. We haven't talked about the specifics of the story or what type of animals he will include in his story, but we do know that we want the story's setting to be placed at the Zoo. Hajun wants the setting of his story to be the Zoo because he is good at drawing animals.聽

Overall, I've had a great experience volunteering at the Boulder Public Library. Hajun is a curious kid who knows exactly what he wants to read and do. He is also a very strong reader and could fluently read to me. However, when he did have a question about a word, or its meaning, he was not afraid to ask.

Second Post:

In my weekly reading sessions with my 3rd-grade partner at the Boulder Public Library, we've encountered several questions and challenges. One prominent challenge has been maintaining my young reader's engagement and enthusiasm throughout our reading and storytelling activities. Children of this age can sometimes struggle with sustained focus, making it important to find ways to keep the sessions interactive and dynamic. To address this challenge, I've implemented strategies such as using props and visuals to make stories more captivating and allowing my partner to actively participate in the storytelling process. We take turns creating parts of the story, encouraging their creativity and imagination. These approaches have proven effective in sustaining their interest and making our sessions more enjoyable and productive.

Despite the challenges, there have been notable strengths in our sessions. My reading partner exhibits a remarkable enthusiasm for reading and storytelling, consistently coming up with imaginative and creative ideas. Their curiosity and willingness to learn are impressive, driving our sessions forward. Additionally, their strong memory allows us to build upon previous stories and reading experiences, creating a sense of continuity and progress. However, one area that we can work on is establishing a more structured and consistent learning environment. To address this, I plan to introduce a more defined routine for our sessions, allocating specific times for reading, storytelling, and reflection. This structure will help my partner understand the expectations and make the learning process more efficient, further enhancing their language development and nurturing their creativity.

Third Post:

This was my first semester with Ling 1900, and it was AMAZING. As a freshman in college, delving into the intricacies of English language and literacy with my reading buddy was really rewarding. Our sessions became a sanctuary of shared discoveries and mutual growth. From the onset, I cultivated a strong bond with my reading buddy, a relationship that extended beyond literacy lessons. As a newcomer to Boulder, I found myself learning about the city's nuances from him, exchanging insights that enriched our sessions. His familiarity with Boulder became a bridge, connecting us in unexpected ways.

The experience underscored the importance of creativity and imagination in our daily lives. Through our reading sessions, I witnessed the transformative power of storytelling, reigniting a childlike spirit that is often overshadowed in adulthood. This revelation shaped the dynamics of our interactions, fostering an environment where learning transcended the pages of a book. Teaching my reading buddy to read proved both challenging and gratifying. Each week, I navigated the task of channeling his boundless energy, gradually finding effective strategies. Over time, the sessions evolved into a harmonious blend of learning and play, creating an environment conducive to his growth.

Beyond the immediate challenges, I developed a profound appreciation for the beauty of learning to read English. Witnessing my reading buddy's journey illuminated the intricacies of language acquisition, instilling gratitude for the privilege of fluency. The experience fostered a deeper connection to the richness of the English language and a heightened awareness of its impact on our lives.As I reflect on my first semester with Ling 1900 Reading Buddies, I am grateful for the transformative power of language and the connections forged through literacy. It has set the foundation for future semesters, inspiring a continued commitment to fostering a love for learning and language.