Independent Reading

What Do You Think About Independent Reading?

In this article, the blogger talks about children participating in independent reading and how it may appear to others and students laying around the classroom. When I taught in elementary grades I used the reader's workshop approach to reading instruction. Students looked forward to independent reading time and each weeks students picked new "book nook" spots around the classroom. This was a time for the students to cozy up and read their books anywhere around the classroom. I have subbed in many classrooms where teachers allowed students to move around the room, as well. While I think it is a good idea to have students move around, others disagree. In the article one teacher was quoted as saying, "Sitting and reading isn't the best use of our time; we need to be teaching our students" (Truby, 2012). I definitely disagree with this teacher, especially since I follow a reader's workshop approach. There is time to teach our students how to be good readers, but they also need time to practice and apply the strategies we are teaching them. Independent reading is a great way to help students build their comprehension and vocabulary skills. Students need to have time to practice reading in order to become better readers, so it makes sense to plan time during the day for independent reading! It is important, though, to make sure students stay on task during independent reading time, which is something I've found challenging. There are always a handful of students who seem to stray and need constant reminders to stay on task. Another issue is to make sure students are reading "just right" books and their reading level in order to get the most out of their independent reading time. There are many things to consider when allowing students time to read, but is very beneficial in the reading curriculum.