Don't Forget about Independent READING!

Who doesn't want to create a classroom of lifelong readers? Our most important responsibility is to teach ALL students how to read. Students need guided reading but it is crucial that they also get independent reading in all grades. Many studies have proven a link between time spent reading and reading achievement. The more children read, the better their fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. I understand that some worry that it is a waste of instructional time and fear that our struggling readers aren't reading and only need small group instruction. Yes! I believe in the power of small group instruction- it works! But, I also see value in independent reading. Independent reading is a time students can practice and apply a wide variety of reading skills within the text. This practice helps students build strong habits that will support them in and out of the classroom.  

         

What are the benefits of Independent Reading?

What is independent reading?

Independent reading can simply be defined as students reading on their own. Students choose to read materials they want to read for pleasure or gain information about a particular topic.  Independent reading is where “the train meets the track.” It’s an opportunity for students to practice all that has been taught during phonics and guided reading. Independent reading improves comprehension and helps students develop their vocabulary. Also, independent reading can improve fluency by allowing students time to practice reading the skills they have learned. 

As a first-grade teacher, I teach reading instruction using the "I do, We do, You do" model. This means direct instruction of skills and plenty of practice applying these skills. Independent reading offers the opportunity to practice and apply the skills you have taught them independently. Application at its finest! We all know that some will struggle. We must find ways to support them. Some oppose independent reading for our lower readers. But, why can't these students practice independent reading after they've been exposed to text in reading instruction or a small group? We need to give all students the chance to apply the skills we've taught them. Independent reading gives students time to practice the "I do".

The most important benefit of independent reading is developing a child's love for reading. I understand that having a student read independently will not necessarily foster a love for reading right away, but perseverance and motivation will. Students become motivated to read when they start feeling successful and confident. If we surround students with books that reflect their interests, it will motivate them to improve their reading. My students are excited to read books that they connect with or relate to. These connections help improve their comprehension. This independent reading time gives students time to explore topics they enjoy or maybe they've never learned about. It leaves them excited to learn and read more.

How can I keep my students accountable during 

Independent Reading Time? 

1. Explicitly Teach Procedures and Routines for Independent Reading- 
As with all things in our classrooms, we must teach our students what we expect. 
I teach independent reading strategies just as I teach my students to write a paragraph or solve a math problem. I show them what I expect and have them practice it.

• “Today, I’m going to teach you how to _______. Watch while I ______.”

• I demonstrate the desired behavior. (Example: sitting at a desk with eyes on the book.)

• I call on students to model the desired behavior.

• I asked the students to comment on what they were doing.

• I invite a student to demonstrate what NOT to do.

• I invite one last student to model proper expectations again. (Ending on a positive note.)

Break things down into Minilessons-

I don’t model everything all at once when I model independent reading. I break it into different minilessons:

• How to choose books that are best for them

• How to treat books respectfully

• How to begin reading during independent reading time

• How to create a story from the pictures (for Kindergarteners who cannot yet decode)

• How to learn from the photographs of nonfiction

• How to retell a story you know

• How to gain information from the pictures and text features in books

• How to show respect to your reading partners

• What to do if a reading partner is bothering you

• How to keep your books in a bag or box

• How to use the classroom library

• How to choose books that you enjoy reading

• How to reread books for fun

• What to do when finished

For several weeks, I teach quick lessons almost every day that focuses on one of these aspects, and then students practice reading independently. Remember, even after your students understand what to do, continue to reinforce your expectations each day. Yes, daily! Every day before they have their independent reading time, review a few routines and expectations. 

2. Allow Students choice, BUT Provide Guidance- 

It's important to allow students to select their own books based on their Lexile if they have one. Our students in the First Grade Benchmark and Challenge Universal Access groups have a Lexile. I have books for students who score a number and BR. I provide my strategic and intensive students a choice of select BR books and phonics-based readers based on their ability. If you are using decodable passages for instruction, you can include copies of those passages as a choice. This ensures students have texts that help them feel successful applying the skills you have taught them. Eventually, my students will select books from the classroom library to match their Lexile score. In the beginning, I provide them with books to choose from. They still have a choice, but I give myself time to thoroughly teach them how to use the classroom library.

3. Promote different ways of Reading-

Our students must view themselves as readers, even if they aren't reading words yet! I take time to teach students different ways to read a book, including

• Reading the pictures and making up a story. 
• Retelling a story, I already know- I read TONS of repetitive books and familiar fairy tales in 1st grade so that students can pretend-read these same books to themselves.
• Learn from the pictures or photos- There is so much that students can learn from looking at the images in informational text!

4. Gradually Build Stamina-

As you already know, it's so important to start out small in the beginning. I usually give my first graders only 3 minutes of independent reading time initially. Every week, we add on a minute until we reach our ultimate independent reading time goal. I usually stop at 15 minutes in first grade. Stamina building can start at the beginning of the year, yet remember you still have an entire school year ahead of you. As your students grow and change, you will extend the amount of time that they read independently. From a worrier who wants to get everything done ASAP, I'm telling you to grant yourself some grace if your students are not quite where you would like them to be even after weeks of practice.

5. Track and Celebrate Progress-

You might create a bar graph to chart how many minutes students read independently daily. This is an excellent tool for students to visually see their progress.

6. Motivate students with sharing time- 

At the end of independent reading, I allow a few minutes of sharing time. During share time, students can share a favorite picture or part of a book with a partner or share something that they wrote on a sticky note. It can be hard to carve out share time, but I think it's so helpful in motivating students to stay on track during independent reading. It also creates opportunities to make comments like, "I hope you are finding something interesting to share with your partner!" when you notice an off-task student. Start simple at first. 

7. Provide Positive Reinforcement- 

I'm constantly pointing out students' excellent behavior, including during independent reading time. Students read independently, observe behaviors, and take notes of great things you see them doing. You never want to interrupt your students' actual reading time. But as students are getting started, I say things like: "I see Charlie already opened his book and is reading—wow!" or "Ryan has a book and is ready to start." After independent reading time, I name a few students and the positive reading behaviors displayed during independent reading time. I also love to take photos/videos of students who are following my expectations and show them after independent reading time is over!

8. Treat independent reading as something to value-

We have to teach routines and expectations to help our students build stamina. However, we also have to encourage our students to WANT to develop their reading stamina in the first place! Before I ever begin teaching expectations for independent reading, I take time to tell my students why I love reading, ask them what they love about reading, and build excitement for all of the wonderful stories we will read during the school year.

I hope that what I've shared will help you feel confident about the choice to give your students independent reading time each day. Protecting this time is a meaningful way to support your students' love for learning and build strong reading habits that they will carry with them forever.

Positively Teaching,

Randi Muehlen