Miller
(2013), Section 2: Why Not? What Works?
Why Independent Reading Matters and the Best Practices to Support It
I
am not surprised that schools have decreased or cut out time for IR. There is
so much stress on teaching standards and not enough time in the day is left for
students to read independently. Miller discusses the stress on how important IR
is for both struggling readers and advanced readers. The chapter discloses that
students who read an hour a day scored in the 98th percentile on standardized
test. Common core standards require independent reading of all students, and
those students must read text that cover all genres.
Some of my students struggle with independent reading. I
have some who would sit there all day and read and others who cannot read for
five minutes. As a class we read frequently, I have students read when they
finish their journals so I can do attendance and check folders. We also read
during SSR at the end of the day. My students can pick books from our leveled
library or our library sorted by categories. The book suggest that students
should be able to pick their own books, but that the books should be a little
above their reading level so they are challenged. They should also be reading
books from every genre. There is a genre wheel on page 20 that I want to print
for my students. I think it would also be beneficial for my students to learn
more about the different genres as well.
I plan after the Thanksgiving holiday to teach about the
different genres and to put more limitations on the books my students select.
Since the chapter suggest to have students read text that is harder rather than
just on their level, I want to see if my students will benefit from this. I
also want to try having my students use the genre wheel.
I agree that IR time is difficult, especially in our classrooms where we have such varied ages. Obviously, stamina is going to be very sporadic in our rooms. I am working to include small group read alouds during the IR time for my little ones who can't sit and read as long as my big ones. Often, I can redirect them if I sit beside them or lap read with them. Also, listening to books on the computer or other device after sitting for a period of time with an actual book has helped some as well.
ReplyDeleteIntroducing your students to a wide variety of genres is a wonderful way to encourage your students to read. Just like trying new foods, we never know if we like it until we try it. Your expertise and modeling can help them get the most out of the new opportunities and your support can help them to read books that may be more rigorous if the interest is there. Most of all giving them the time and support through independent reading will help them to grow as readers and lifelong learners.
ReplyDeleteI hope your students enjoy the genre wheel and find it helpful! It's a good reminder to have a "balanced" diet of genres--even if we do have favorites. :-)
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