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how to make silent reading more meaningful

home / reading / comprehension / independent reading / how to make silent reading more meaningful
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make silent reading more meaninfulSilent reading can–and should–be a meaningful, rich, awesome experience for kids.

And parents can–and should–be able to support their young readers at home, just by keeping a few important things in mind.

Research shows that the more kids read, the better readers they become. It makes sense.ย  So let’s give kids time.ย  And let’s support them while they’re there.

Let’s give them time to practice the skills they’re learning in the classroom.

Let’s give them time to really dive into texts, walk beside the characters, really get to know an author’s style, or follow a series from start to finish.

Let’s give them time to try out different genres, subjects, and authors.ย  Let’s provide our kids with time to relax, enjoy some ‘me-time’ and cozy up with a book.

Silent reading may have once been thrown to the wayside by the National Reading Panel (NRP, 2000), but, with a little guidance, teachers and parents can make silent–or independent–reading an integral part of the reading experience.

Here’s the skinny. . .

  • How to Make Silent Reading More Meaningful: I recall vividly, a day about six years ago, while doing some consulting work for a local charter school in our area, sharing the latest research on silent reading: there was no conclusive data proving the value of silent reading in the classroom (NRP, 2000).

silent reading meaningful

We can–and will–make silent reading totally rock the house.

And the teachers to whom I was speaking were in disbelief.ย  Really? No SSR? You mean that giving kids quiet time to read in the classroom doesn’t help kids become better readers?

There is no current research to prove that, I said.ย  Though we all know that people learn by doing, At this point, using precious class time in other ways will better support their literacy learning.

Though I shared what I had learned, I was always curious about it–I loved SSR as a kid. Didn’t we all?ย  Didn’t all kids deserve time carved out especially for silent reading?ย  I wondered: How could that time be used more effectively? How could we, as educators, prove the worth of independent reading? Could someone actually put real, true value on silent reading?

Check it out: How to Make Silent Reading More Meaningful.
Recent research, however, does prove that “more reading leads to better reading” (Sanden 2012), but more specifically, more and more studies are placing real value on independent reading when implemented consciously.

Sherry Sanden is an educator and author who writes about highly effective teachers who have implemented silent reading programs in their classrooms–and these programs yield real student growth, learning, and tons of potential.ย  Each program contains several of the same components, and Sanden shares her findings in an article in the November issue of The Reading Teacher.

I was particularly moved by her article because–woo-hoo! yaaa-hooo! yip, yip, yippppeeee! woot!–it provided that value to silent reading that I wish I would have had when speaking with those teachers. Yes, silent reading counts. Yes, it sure does.

All we have to do is beef it up a bit.ย  Check it out: How to Make Silent Reading More Meaningful.

And the cool thing? A lot of what Sanden shares is what many of us do naturally to support our young readers.ย ย ย  All the time? Nah. Every single time we see our kiddo grab a book and sit back to read? No way, Jose. Every so often? Yes, you better believe it.

What do you think? How do you make silent reading more meaningful at your house?ย  Let me know–I’d love to hear it!

many thanks to the following references:

  • “The Report of the National Reading Panel: Teaching Children to Read,” National Reading Panel. April 2000.
  • Sanden, S. (2012). Independent Reading: Perspectives and Practices of Highly Effective Teachers. The Reading Teacher, 66 (3), 222โ€“231. doi: 10.1002/TRTR.01120
  • numerous other articles on the IRA site

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About amy mascott

teacher, mother, dreamer. lover of literacy, fun learning, good food, and three crazy-cool kids. finder of four-leaf clovers | dc metro ยท http://about.me/amymascott
tweet with me: @teachmama

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Quick! Thereโ€™s still time to see if your area is registered to participate in this yearโ€™s National Civics Bee! #ad

Click the link in my bio to learn more and to grab a TON of free resources for families and educators. 

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What better way to get students to engage in civics and contribute to their communities? 

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Organized in partnership with The Civic Trust of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the competition in your community will inspire middle schoolers to become better informed about American democracy, to engage respectfully and constructively in the community, and to build greater trust in others and institutions. 

Learn how to bring The National Civics Bee to YOUR community now: https://teachmama.com/bring-the-national-civics-bee-to-your-community/

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โ–ถ๏ธ Watch to find out. 

Hit me with the questions you still have about dyslexiaโ€”and know we have a few more posts to go!

#demystifyingdyslexia #raiseareader #teachreading #readingteachersofig
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#demystifyingdyslexia #readingteacher #raiseareader #teachreading #dyslexia
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#demystifyingdyslexia #dyslexiaeducation #readingteacher #raiseareader #teachreading
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For the next few weeks leading up to my own start to the school year I am sharing a new series called โ€œDe-Mystifying Dyslexiaโ€ and I would love for you to join me! 

Follow in my stories or on the highlight above!

#dyslexia #teading  #readingteacher #raiseareader #demystifyingdyslexia

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