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Programs and Projects
Independent Reading
OVERVIEW:
Students read independently from a wide selection of fiction and
nonfiction books throughout school, classroom, and home libraries.
Adults give mini-lessons, and have individual or small group discussions
to ask open-ended questions to enable students to generate interesting
and insightful responses for later entries in their journals.
THE ROLE OF THE EDUCATOR IS:
- to model reading enjoyment
- to support students in choosing books to read
- to read and discuss a range of different genres
- to create a community of readers that include all students
- to encourage students to engage in reflection
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WHAT VISITORS WILL SEE:
- students and adults reading books
- educators demonstrating, and not just assigning
- classroom libraries set up and used
- regular library times
- documentation of students reading process
HOW IT WORKS:
Janice L. Pilgreen (2000) emphasized 8 factors for setting up and
maintaining a sustained silent reading program. They include:
- Access: Books, magazines, comics, newspapers, and other
reading materials need to be available in the classroom and home.
- Appeal: Reading material should be interesting and provocative
and appeal to the students.
- Conducive Environment: A comfortable place for reading.
- Encouragement: Educators and students share and discuss
what they read.
- Staff Training: Educators need to understand the philosophy
and process.
- Non-accountability: No required tasks or follow-up language
work.
- Follow-up Activities: Keep students excited about reading.
- Distributed Time to Read: Setting up a daily 15-minute time
for reading is best.
Pilgreen, J. The SSR Handbook: How to Organize and Manage a
Sustained Silent Reading Program. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann,
c2000.
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CLASSROOM APPLICATIONS:
Build a classroom library by:
- seeking community donations
- joining book clubs
- borrowing from the school library
- involving the parent/teacher association
- calling on the Deaf community
- contacting local service organizations
- holding a school-wide book fair
- asking for discounts
- visiting used bookstores and book sales
- exchanging books with other classrooms
- reviewing budget priorities
Schleper, D. R. "Tips
for Building a Classroom Library."
Perspectives, 9:4, (March/April, 1991), 22-22.
Promote independent reading by developing a book response card
for each student. The teacher did daily mini-lessons on how to respond
to the books. Each time a student read a book, a number would be
punched on the card. This gives the students more choice in what
to do to demonstrate comprehension
Response
Card (PDF)
Schleper, D. R. "SSR? DEAR? USSR? Or DIRT? No Matter What
You Call It, Independent Reading Is for Everyone." Odyssey,
(Fall 2002), 26-28.)
Use Accelerated Reading with some students. The AR program uses
computer-based quizzes at the end of each book. The students are
assessed regularly, and they are able to move from level to level
throughout the year. Some students like the program because they
like being on the computer and it helps them discover their independent
reading level. Other students do not like the program. It focuses
on simple questions, not deep discussion. When using AR, also encourage
the use of literature journals, and make sure that those students
who are not succeeding in this program will have other options.
Carroll, C. "Accelerated Reading: Students Use Computers and
Books to Advance Skills." Odyssey,
(Winter 2002), 16-19.)
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MATERIALS:
Response
Card (PDF)
A GOOD PLACE TO START:
Students can choose from a variety of books, magazines, and newspapers.
Here are a few related to Martin Luther King, Jr.:
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: Honoring a Man of Peace, Gnojewski,
Carol.
- Martin Luther King, Jr.: Man of Peace, McKissack, Patricia
and Frederick McKissack.
- Martin Luther King, Jr.: Minister and Civil Rights Activist,
January, Brendan.
SUPPORTIVE RESEARCH AND DESCRIPTIVE LITERATURE:
Cunningham, P. M., Hall, D. P. Self-Selected Reading: The
Four-Blocks Way. Greensboro, NC: Carson-Dellosa Publishing
Company, Inc., c2002.
Marshall, J. C. Are They Really Reading? Portland, ME:
Stenhouse Publishers, c2002.
Pilgreen, J. L. The SSR Handbook. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann,
c2000.
CLERC CENTER RESOURCES:
Independent
Reading (Odyssey, Summer 2000) (PDF)
"SSR?
DEAR? USSR? Or DIRT? No Matter What You Call It, Independent Reading
Is for Everyone. (Odyssey, Fall 2002) (PDF)
Interpreting,
Appreciating, and Making Meaning (Perspectives, May/June 1999)
WEB RESOURCES:
Sunshine
Online Literacy Hour
SEE ALSO: Independent Reading: Accelerated
Reader
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