Maple Ridge Secondary students spent some time on Friday reading to kindergarten children at Eric Langton last Friday - but there was a twist: they were reading books they had written, illustrated, and published themselves.

French 11 students, led by teacher Jacquie Burns, walked to the nearby elementary school last week, and, in small groups, read the books they had created in French for a class project to the students.

The books were a final project the students were doing in their friendship unit. While Burns' students have made books before, this is the first time they shared them with younger students.

"The students put such great effort into their stories that it's almost a shame not to share them outside their own classroom," Burns said. "Buddy Reading is meant to expand this project and also incorporates experiential learning into the classroom."

Burns said she was impressed by the "serious attitude" her students had when they tackled the assignment, and they were "very thorough" in their preparation, which was reflected in their final draft.

"They learned specific literacy strategies to effectively communicate their stories to the young French learners," Burns said. "It was remarkable to see to see my students embrace a teaching role."

Burns added that there was learning all around - the kindergarten students were impressed by the stories, and the Grade 11 students "relished being in a leadership role."

Burns pointed out that the students creating these "fantastic stories" were in the core French program, not French immersion.

The kindergarten French immersion teacher, Donna Servant, said her students love it when they are read to by older students.

mrantanen@mrtimes.com