Homework buddies make learning fun

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This article was published 21/12/2005 (7441 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A few months ago, reading in French was no easy task for 10-year-old Alex Cyrenne.

Now, with the help of his homework buddy Rachel Swatek, 12, Alex says he has no problem finishing his work and using the dictionary to look up French words he doesn’t understand.

“I didn’t know at all how to do that (before),” he says.

The buddies are part of a new program that links students in Grades 5 and 6 at Robert H. Smith School, with student volunteers from Ecole River Heights. Since January, 15 volunteers from Ecole River Heights have spent an hour twice a week helping about a dozen students from Robert H. Smith with everything from math and French homework to social skills.

Last week, the group celebrated its first 14-week session together with board games and treats at Robert H. Smith. Grade 7 teacher Val Noseworthy says the program was such a success, they are already looking at ways to expand it into next term, and eventually, with other neighbourhood schools.

“The results have been fantastic, more than I could even hope for,” Noseworthy says. “I wasn’t prepared for all the positive comments about homework.”

In September, teachers at Robert H. Smith identified students in Grades 5 and 6 who needed help with their homework. They were then matched with junior high students who helped them throughout the term. Students were required to complete their assigned homework, and could then play board games with their homework buddy and share a healthy snack provided by the school.

Noseworthy says the program gives students a chance to form new friendships and discover new ways of learning. She says the idea connects multiple ages, and that she would like to see if the idea could expand so senior high students could help tutor junior high students in need.

“It’s helping them learn some study skills and gain confidence,” says Tina Hellmuth, a resource teacher at Robert H. Smith.

Rachel says she enjoys helping Alex and Levi Hovorka, 10, with their studies and plans on volunteering for the program next term. She says it feels good to know that her homework buddies have already learned so much and are having an easier time getting homework done.

“I often help my brother with homework and I find it fun,” she says.