Buddy Lunch Program Connects Students The mission of Manhattan Christian School in Manhattan, Montana, is to inspire students to live God-glorifying lives by teaching Christ’s lordship in faith, learning, and living. Buddy activities are just a few of many ways we work toward this goal at MCS. Buddy activities were started after staff met to discuss creative ways to bring the three schools (elementary, middle, and high schools) together to create interactive relationships among students. High school senior Angelica said, “Buddy activities give me an opportunity to be like an older sister to the younger students. They also give me the opportunity to share Christ with kids with whom we rarely spend time.” Buddy activities are conducted on a quarterly basis. Quarterly activities vary and may include lunch and play times, reading, writing, art activities, or attending chapel together. Buddy activities have helped establish relationships between students at all different levels. The younger students particularly appreciate getting together with their older buddies, but the older kids enjoy it as well. Asked about hanging out with a big buddy, one second grade student responded, “My buddy is funny and it is fun to play together during recess.” Erika Kimm has been the director of communications at Manhattan Christian School since 2012. After graduating from Manhattan Christian in 2007, she attended Montana State University–Billings and earned a bachelor’s of science degree in business administration and marketing. Erika enjoys spending her time with her husband, Mark, doing outdoor activities, and coaching sprints and hurdles for the track and field team at Manhattan Christian. Alternative Language Program Works for Immanuel Christian School In Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, the staff and students of Immanuel Christian School are excited to be using a French program that has swept across Canada over the past 15 years. Having moved away from a rote-heavy, worksheet-based approach, the school is finding that students are now much more engaged, content, and successful in their learning. AIM (Accelerative Integrated Method) Language Learning is a dynamic, action-based program that enables a Frenchonly environment right from the first class. Students learn new vocabulary using a unique gesture program (much like sign language) that is supported by DVDs for home practice. They learn new language very rapidly, achieving fluency at an early level, and have a lot of fun in the process. Drama, music, and dance are key. Grammar instruction is woven into the program, and students learn to read and write based on plays. AIM is available now for students of French, Spanish, and English. It is a wellresearched program that has become loved by second-language teachers from around the world. www.aimlanguagelearning.com Matthew Mann is the principal of Immanuel Christian School in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. Teaching French is a special interest of his, and he has taught it to students in grades one through nine. AIM Language Learning 38 Christian Home & School | www.csionline.org