Tutors Work with First Graders

Gathered together on a Tuesday afternoon, fellow Buccaneers filled the air with continuous chatter and many giggles. On this day, as they did in years before, Berkeley’s Writing Center tutors met with the school’s younger generation, the Class of 2023, or more commonly known as the first graders of Ms. Keller’s, McDonough’s, and McElroy’s classes.

A tutor and a first grader take a break for lunch.

Each tutor was assigned to a young first grader weeks in advance. By exchanging letters, the two of them quickly built up a relationship before ever meeting in person. Discussing about themselves and the future story the buddies were going to write together, both parties were looking forward to their upcoming lunch meeting.

A tutor and a tutee write a story together.

That day finally came on the 28^th of February.  Pizza and cookies were distributed by a few bustling Writing Center tutors. Sophomore Emily H., a pizza and cookie deliverer, noted that it was, “super-fun helping out the kids, and they were really cute!”

A tutoring session takes place in the library.

The other upperclassmen were quickly grouped with their first graders. Immediately following the exchange of smiles, strong connections were established between the tutors and tutees.  From the loud and bubbly ones to shy and quiet ones, all the first graders had ideas on their descriptive short stories that were as unique as their personalities. All laptops were opened to a new Word document in the libraries that day. What was written in this document could have been anything from a time of scoring the winning goal in a soccer game to a recent visit from the Tooth Fairy.

A Writing Center tutor types up a first grader's story.

After finishing up their stories of adventure, the tutors and tutees together got to decorate their page with colorful borders and clip art before sending it to the first grade teachers. Hannah J., a Writing Center tutor, thought, “This is such a great way to bridge a gap between our school’s upper and lower division. I love it.”   

A tutor and a first grader work on a story.

At 1:15, it was time for the two groups to say their goodbyes and hugs were exchanged. The young ones kept asking their teacher when they were going to meet their partners again.

A tutor and a first grader finish up a tutoring session.

Spending a lunch in a library was one that was well worth the time. We all got to make a positive difference within our own Berkeley family. We all got to learn about each other, and about ourselves. As tutors, we recalled a time that didn’t seem so long ago. Nine, ten, eleven years ago, we were in their shoes. Nine, ten, eleven years from now, they will be in ours, and we will be off in the big wide world.

Let us not forget what our greatest treasure is.

- Karaghen