Independent Reading

1
Independent Reading

• Helping Students Select Just Right Books
• Beth Etterling, Instructional Coach/Myers
  Elementary

2
Why is independent reading so important?

• It increases vocabulary
• It builds background knowledge
• It builds fluency
• It builds the stamina needed for students to read
  for longer blocks of time on standardized tests

3
What does the research say?

• The time spent reading books is the best
  predictor of reading achievement in students in
  second through fifth grade. (Anderson, Wilson,
  Fielding, 1988)
• Students who read for at least 20 minutes a day,
  every day, have the potential to gain 1,000 new
  vocabulary words a year. (Nagy, Anderson,
  Herman, 1987)

4
What does the research have to say?

• Most standardized tests of reading comprehension
  for 3rd graders take 60-70 minutes to complete,
  yet the average 3rd grader in the United States
  is reading less than 15 minutes per day.
  (Calkins, Montgomery, Santman, 1998)

5
What does the research have to say?

• The most effective schools engage children in
  independent reading not less than 28 minutes per
  day. (Pearson Taylor, 1999)

6
Keys to Successful Independent Reading
Experiences

• Teaching students how to self-select just right
  texts
• Providing structure and support
• Providing opportunities for the blessing of
  books and opportunities to share

7
Ways to Help Students Choose Just Right Books

• Through mini-lessons modeling
• The Three Finger rule
• Familiarizing students with their reading levels
• STAR test for Accelerated Reader books

8
Tips for Choosing a Just Right Book

• The student should have some background knowledge
  about the topic.
• The book should be interesting to the student.
• The student should be able to read most of the
  words.
• The student should consider the following
  questions
• Can I read most of the words?
• Do the pictures or graphic features
• help me read the words?
• Does it make sense?
• Do I like it?
• Do I want to read more?

9
Guidelines for Book Selection

• EASY
• I can read all of the words.
• I understand what I am reading.
• I know a lot about the topic.
• JUST RIGHT
• I can read most of the words.
• I get confused occasionally, but can use
  strategies to clear up my confusion.
• I know some things about the topic.
• CHALLENGING (Im not ready for this book yet!)
• I cannot read many of the words.
• I do not understand what I am reading.
• I have little or no background knowledge
  about the topic.

10
Ways to Provide Structure and Support

• Make books accessible to students
• Provide a wide variety of reading materials
• Conference with students on a regular basis
• Administer running records periodically

11
Ways to Bless or Recommend Books

• Read aloud
• Personally recommend books to individual students
• Allow students to share/recommend books
• Book talks (showcasing appropriate books)
• Narrow the students choices. Allow them to
  select one from a group of 3 or 4 appropriate
  texts