Bench work for buddies

Fourth graders at Independence Elementary built a Buddy Bench for classmates. Photo provided
Fourth graders at Independence Elementary built a Buddy Bench for classmates. Photo provided

Fourth grade students at Independence Elementary School built a Buddy Bench for their Academic Service Learning project.
“A Buddy Bench is a place where a student can go if they need someone to play with at recess,” said Dennis Klenow, third and fourth grade teacher. “When other students see someone on the bench, they go and invite them to play. It has been a huge success to this point. Students are finding someone to play with.”
Fourth graders split into teams to complete the task: build team was in charge of construction; design team to plan artwork for the bench as well as painting; education team visited each class at IE to instruct them on proper use of the bench; school meeting team created skits to share at a Friday all school meeting; and technology team filmed, took photos, and created a video and website to share with the community about this project.
“Each of our 68 fourth grade students played a role in this project,” the teacher said.

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