The Learning and Growing Together intergenerational (IG) program was develo
ped to bring often-separated groups of young and old together and foster re
lationships and understanding between the generations. Classes included a s
econd-grade World War II class, a fourth-grade intergenerational chorus, an
d a fifth-grade careers class. To evaluate the impact of the program, stude
nts in the three classes were asked to provide descriptions of "old people"
before and after contact with elders in the IC; program. Results indicated
that in the second and fourth grades, significant increases were found in
tho number of positive words used to describe old people, as well as a decr
ease in the number of negative words used. Significant differences were not
found in the number of words used to describe old people in the fifth grad
e which had considerably less contact with elders s compared to the other t
wo classes. In a second study, fourth grade student journals were analyzed
for recurring themes. Analysis revealed four themes consistent with program
goals of narrowing the generation gap and fostering positive relationships
between young and old. Overall, the findings of the two studies point to t
he benefits of intergenerational programs for youth and elders.