Wilkins - Blog #3 - Section 2 of "Not This, But This"

Section Two - Debbie Miller's "Not This, But This" provided some enlightening information.  Having read this section, I'm led to and believe that student's benefit a great deal from Independent Reading both at home and school.  I think having an Independent Reading time everyday the students are being exposed more and more to the written word and become better readers.  Becoming better readers will help them to better academically overall.  This year, I've established a daily routine of 20 minutes (for Kindergartners) reading on their own.  Other times throughout the day they are listening to read alouds or listening to stories being read to them.  This is definitely a process that takes time and patience.  Being such young people, they have to build up a stamina to remain focused on a book for an extended period of time.  The most important factor is to have a classroom library with various types of books of interest to the children.  Studies have shown how being exposed to reading improves student reading levels.  As an Educator, I believe it is my responsibility to guide these students through the process, interacting with them, conferencing, monitoring them and making the students accountable for this time that they spend reading.