Mariner students, Milton kindergarteners partner for zoology presentations

Milton Elementary School recently welcomed students from Mariner Middle School’s AVID program for a collaborative learning experience with kindergarten students preparing for their zoology poster presentations.

AVID students visited kindergarteners in Stephanie Lewis and Dr. Krissy Patton’s class, as well as Gwen Conaway’s class, to help them practice presenting their research ahead of a family event held the following day. The older students provided kindergarteners with an authentic audience and the opportunity to build confidence while sharing their knowledge.

During the visit, Mariner AVID students worked one-on-one and in small groups with multiple kindergarteners, engaging them in thoughtful questioning and discussion. They offered explicit, detailed feedback to help students refine their presentations and strengthen their explanations. After each presentation, the AVID students completed compliment cards for the kindergarteners, highlighting strengths and encouraging their efforts.

“Watching our kindergarten students share their zoology learning with the Mariner AVID students was incredibly special,” said Lewis, a kindergarten teacher at Milton Elementary. “The middle school students asked thoughtful questions, offered encouragement, and helped our students feel proud and confident in their work. This experience truly brought learning to life and showed our students that their ideas and voices matter.”

The partnership created a meaningful cross-grade connection, allowing younger students to feel supported and celebrated while giving middle school students chances to grow as leaders and mentors. “This partnership was a wonderful opportunity for our AVID students to practice leadership, communication and mentorship in a real-world setting,” said Heather Kindl, AVID teacher at Mariner Middle School. “They took their role seriously, providing meaningful feedback and positive reinforcement, and it was inspiring to see the connections formed as they supported the kindergarteners in preparing for their presentations.”

This collaboration builds on strong connections the students established in the fall when they partnered for a kindergarten/AVID Monster project, and it highlights the importance of maintaining those connections between schools and grade levels while reinforcing academic skills, confidence and a shared love of learning.