Laura Emory Post 4 Miller (2013) Section 2: Why Not? What Works

     Research shows that independent reading directly correlates to academic performance.  Debbie Miller tells us that independent reading helps to increase accuracy when reading orally, improve the rate of reading, and it helps with expression and comprehension.  She also tells us that a study found that students who read books outside of the school walls scored higher on standardized testing than those students who did not read at home.  The study also suggests that it is not just the act of reading, but the time spent reading.  Knowing the research and facts, why do more educators not place a high importance on independent reading?  Miller states that “teachers give lots of reasons for not doing IR, citing scarce instructional time, students who aren’t ready for reading on their own, or the difficulty of managing IR with a wide range of levels in classrooms.” 

     Independent reading should be planned for.  Students should be able to have classroom time to read independently, choose the books that they want to read, be taught why, what, and how we read, have access to a wide variety of books, be monitored and supported during their reading time, and should be given a chance to talk about what they are reading.  I love how she says that educators should have 7 books per child in their classrooms which equates to 300-600 books.  These books should be below, on, and above grade level and should be incorporate all of the different genres.  I also appreciate working in a district that places such a high importance on reading and provides us with some texts to have in the classrooms!

   The most important piece of information that I took away from this section is that teachers must be vigilant in being active participants in our students’ independent reading time.  We cannot sit back and watch or busy ourselves with the other duties of teaching, but rather sit with the students, engage conversations, monitor, adjust, encourage, and we also must teach the process.  During the D6 Literacy Day today I enjoyed learning about types of conferences to conduct with students during in independent reading time and I look forward to implementing them.  I will start immediately with the compliment conference.