Fifth Graders Share the Joy of Reading with First Grade Buddies

At The Peck School, acts of kindness come in many forms—sometimes, they even come in the form of a favorite childhood book. In honor of February’s Random Acts of Kindness Week, Peck’s fifth graders found a heartwarming way to give back: by sharing stories with their first-grade buddies.

Throughout the month, fifth graders had been discussing small ways to brighten the days of those around them. From tidying classroom shelves to organizing books and cleaning whiteboards, they sought out ways to make a difference. Their teachers then suggested another way to spread kindness—through the magic of storytelling.

Each fifth grader was asked to bring in a beloved picture book from home to read to their younger buddy. The result? An engaging, joyful experience where students connected over timeless tales. As an added surprise, some first graders brought their own original books that they have been working on to share with their older friends–eager to show off their writing and storytelling skills.

“We just thought it was a nice way to touch upon this idea of random acts of kindness and how one act of kindness can lead to another,” said Fifth Grade Lead Teacher Jess Angelo. “They rise by lifting others, and this was just another way for them to pay it forward.”

The activity ended on a nostalgic note when Angelo read Miss Nelson Is Missing! by Harry Allard to the fifth graders, a book that was a childhood favorite of her own. Inspired by the memory of her own principal reading it to her as a kindergartener, she brought the story to life once more—leaving students eager to hear the sequels.

Through the simple yet powerful act of reading together, Peck’s fifth and first graders demonstrated that kindness can be as easy as turning a page and sharing a story.