Literacy 4-6

Independent Reading

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Overview

Independent reading promotes literacy by emphasizing student choice with teacher support in selecting books, as well as by making time for free reading. As an integral part of literacy programs, independent reading allows students to practice and apply the reading skills and strategies they have learned to texts they are motivated to read.

Use It in the Classroom

Watch how these classrooms promote a culture of independent reading. By scheduling time for independent reading and providing the routine of practicing their strategies, the school helps the students really understand as well as enjoy what they are reading.

  • Establishing a consistent time for students to independently read sets expectations that everyone is a reader. Providing access to a variety of appealing reading materials is crucial for empowering student independence in selecting what they read. Expecting students to spend their time with texts that are at an appropriate reading level is just as important in supporting their overall reading growth.

    • Design It into Your Product

    Videos are chosen as examples of strategies in action. These choices are not endorsements of the products or evidence of use of research to develop the feature.

    See how digital libraries like Epic! allow learners to access and browse a diverse collection to find an appropriate-level book that interests them. With over 25,000 titles to choose from, learners have the opportunity to nurture their love for reading and expand their Literacy Environment.

  • Products can promote independent reading by allowing learners to choose from appropriately leveled texts that interest them while also monitoring their work to hold them accountable for their reading. They can also help make independent reading part of learners' daily routines by reminding them when to read.
    • View References

    Resources

    Below are additional examples, research, and professional development. These resources are possible representations of this strategy, not endorsements.

    Children's Choices Reading Lists

    Annual reading lists of books chosen and reviewed by children

    Facilitating Independent Reading

    Tips to make independent reading a success in classrooms

    Independent Reading is Critical to Achievement

    The importance of independent reading

    Reading & Cognition

    Subtopic that explores cognitive models of reading on Digital Promise's Research Map

    Reading Comprehension

    Subtopic that includes research on how people develop reading comprehension skills on Digital Promise's Research Map

    Self-Regulation

    Subtopic that explores children's developing ability to regulate their behavior on Digital Promise's Research Map

    Student Motivation

    Topic that includes research on the factors that motivate students to learn and reach their goals on Digital Promise's Research Map

    Supporting Students as They Read Independently

    How to effectively support independent reading, including lesson plans

    The Value of Independent Reading

    Research analysis of the vital role independent reading

    Factors Supported by this Strategy

    Literacy
    Background Knowledge
    Foundational Writing Skills
    Genre Knowledge
    Orthographic Processing
    Syntax
    Verbal Reasoning
    Vocabulary
    Cognition
    Attention
    Long-term Memory
    Metacognition
    Short-term Memory
    Speed of Processing
    Working Memory
    Social and Emotional Learning
    Emotion
    Motivation
    Student Background
    Adverse Experiences
    Literacy Environment
    Physical Well-being
    Primary Language
    Safety
    Sleep
    Socioeconomic Status

    More Instructional Approaches Strategies

    Authentic Audiences & Purposes

    Writing can become personally meaningful when students have an actual audience and a real purpose for communicating with that audience.

    Direct Instruction: Comprehension Strategies

    When teachers provide explicit instruction in comprehension strategies and model when to use them, students learn how to flexibly apply them to make meaning of texts.

    Direct Instruction: Genre-specific Writing Strategies

    Explicitly teaching strategies for different genres, like narrative or persuasive writing, helps students write for different purposes and audiences.

    Direct Instruction: Keyword Search

    Teaching students how to create and use strong keywords for Internet searching is critical for helping them know how to find accurate, relevant information.

    Direct Instruction: Spelling

    Formal spelling instruction improves not only students' spelling skills but also their reading skills.

    Direct Instruction: Vocabulary

    Seeing and using new words repeatedly and in many contexts is critical for Vocabulary acquisition.

    Direct Instruction: Web-based Reading Strategies

    Research shows that, along with traditional [reading comprehension ][1][strategies][2], students use unique strategies to read the non-linear, hyperlinked structure of online texts.

    Direct Instruction: Writing Strategies

    Explicitly teaching strategies for planning, writing, and revising texts improves students' writing quality.

    Family Engagement

    Students are more likely to come to school when families feel like a valued part of the community.

    Guided Inquiry

    In guided inquiry, teachers help students use their own language for constructing knowledge by active listening and questioning.

    Mindfulness Activities

    Through short but regular mindfulness activities, students develop their awareness and ability to focus.

    Multimodal Instruction

    Instruction in multiple formats allows students to activate different cognitive skills to understand and remember the steps they are to take in their literacy work.

    Pre-reading Questioning

    Helping students think about what they know about the topic of upcoming work helps activate their Background Knowledge or reveals gaps.

    Provide Writing Models

    When students read models of the type of writing they are doing, they can identify effective elements to incorporate in their writing.

    Reading Conferences

    Through one-on-one conferences, teachers can provide individual support to each student to deepen comprehension and interest in reading.

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