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Reading PK-3

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Reading PK-3 > Strategies > Independent Reading

Independent Reading

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Overview

Independent reading promotes reading development 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 this elementary teacher supports students in selecting books for their independent reading. By asking students to identify strategies for choosing a just-right book for them, they are able to apply these tips when they choose books on their own.

  • 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.

  • Products can promote independent reading by allowing learners to choose appropriate level 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.
    Examples

    Children's Choices Reading Lists

    Annual reading lists of books chosen and reviewed by children

    Examples

    Facilitating Independent Reading

    Tips to make independent reading a success in classrooms

    Examples

    Independent Reading is Critical to Achievement

    The importance of independent reading

    Examples

    Supporting Students as They Read Independently

    How to effectively support independent reading, including lesson plans

    Research

    Reading & Cognition

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

    Research

    Reading Comprehension

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

    Research

    Self-Regulation

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

    Research

    Student Motivation

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

    Research

    The Value of Independent Reading

    Research analysis of the vital role independent reading

    Factors Supported by this Strategy

    Language and Literacy
    Alphabet Knowledge
    Background Knowledge
    Decoding
    Narrative Skills
    Print Awareness
    Sight Recognition
    Syntax
    Verbal Reasoning
    Vocabulary
    Cognition
    Attention
    Long-term Memory
    Short-term Memory
    Speed of Processing
    Working Memory
    Social and Emotional Learning
    Emotion
    Motivation
    Student Background
    Adverse Experiences
    Home Literacy Environment
    Physical Fitness
    Primary Language
    Safety
    Sleep
    Socioeconomic Status

    More Instructional Approaches Strategies

    Dialogic Reading

    With this interactive technique, teachers help students become storytellers by listening and questioning.

    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: Phonics

    As students are learning to read, they benefit from explicit, systematic phonics instruction.

    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.

    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.

    Literacy Centers

    Literacy centers with reading games, manipulatives, and activities support learner interests and promote the development of more complex reading skills and social interactions.

    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 reading work.

    Non-intensive HLE Intervention Program

    A parent evening meeting about how to support literacy at home with one follow-up meeting with each family has shown strong results for students' reading development.

    Pre-reading Questioning

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

    Whole Language

    Students with strong early literacy skills benefit from a literacy-rich approach.

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