M10: Independent Reading
We want our students to get to where they are reading independently!
The National Council of Teachers of English have a statement (2019) on Independent Reading.
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DEFINITION OF INDEPENDENT READING Independent reading is a routine, protected instructional practice that occurs across all grade levels. Effective independent reading practices include time for students to read, access to books that represent a wide range of characters and experiences, and support within a reading community that includes teachers and students. Student choice in text is essential because it motivates, engages, and reaches a wide variety of readers. The goal of independent reading as an instructional practice is to build habitual readers with conscious reading identities. |
Independent reading leads to an increased volume of reading, provides students with opportunities for choice, and builds stamina.
You can read more of their statement here Link. Links to an external site.
Some examples of in-class independent reading are DEAR (Drop Everything and Read) time or SSR (Sustained, Silent Reading) or FVR (Free Voluntary Reading). Recently scholars have questioned how effective DEAR time and SSR are in classrooms and maybe time in class is better spent in explicit instruction. However, researchers such as Stephen Krashen (remember him?) are strong supporters of including DEAR time in your daily routines.
Remember one advantage to independent reading (and important factor) is that students have choice about what they read!