Blog Post #3- No More Independent Reading Without Support Karen Rosenberger

Blog Post #3- No More Independent Reading Without Support

I found Section 2, What Practices Are Critical for Effective Independent Reading? very helpful. I agree that in order for students to grow as independent readers, they must be given the specific tools needed. 

Students must be given classroom time to read. Studies have shown that effective teaching involves more time spent on independent reading. Students also need to choose what they read. I spent the beginning of the school year teaching the IPICK strategy. I look at a book. Purpose- Why do I want to read a book? Interest- Does this topic interest me? Comprehend- Do I understand what I am reading? Know the words- Do I know most of the words? We have it on an anchor chart hanging in the classroom. I see students walking over to the chart when they are choosing “Just Right Books”. Teachers need to model what, why, and how good readers read. Classroom libraries need to be filled with a wide variety of books and access to those books. Finally, students must be given the opportunity to talk about what they read. 

In my opinion, knowing how to choose “Just Right Books” is essential in order for children to grow as readers. I love the Genre Wheel referenced in Section 2 of the book. Students are directed to read at least one book from all ten genres. When they have read a book, they record the title in the correct genre and color it in. What an accomplishment for readers, even struggling readers, to have read such a wide variety of books! In order for independent reading to be successful, teachers need to be guiding, teaching, and interacting with their students.