Daily Free Reading Should Be an Upper Grade Practice

If you are not in NEST+m’s class of ‘22, you are most probably familiar with DEAR (Drop Everything And Read) day, where students independently read for one English class period a week. But what you might not know is that beginning this year, instead of DEAR day, ninth graders are now given ten to fifteen minutes to independently read a book of their choice before English class each day. DEAR days sound like a good idea in theory, since they allow students to fully immerse themselves in a story for about forty-five minutes, which is a significant amount of time. However, all upper grades should consider switching from DEAR day to ten minutes of reading per day because studies show reading each day establishes positive mentality and strengthens students’ academic skills, as well as the fact that many ninth graders say they enjoy it. 

     Reading each day establishes a positive mentality. According to a 2009 study conducted by the University of Sussex, reading for just six minutes every day can “reduce stress levels by 68%.” In addition, as stated by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, “those who (frequently) engage… in activities that are mentally stimulating… have a lower prevalence and incidence of Alzheimer disease.” It is scientifically proven that reading more frequently improves the health of people. If being whisked away to other realms by novels for ten minutes can drain anxiety and incentivize positiveness, why would aren’t grades 10-12 reading every day?  By allowing students to read each day in English class, NEST+m students would improve their health and potentially their quality of life.

Furthermore, reading also strengthens student’s academic skills. A study by the American Academy of Pediatrics describes that reading each day wakens various regions in the left side of the brain, “in which those areas become involved in understanding the definition of words and concepts tied to memory.”  In order to comprehend a book, a person must have a sound understanding of the characters, plot, themes, and other components. Students that independently read for only a day per week are not connecting events and strengthening their memo ries as frequently as those who read everyday. Reading each day enables the human brain to memorize and develop a deeper understanding, rather than frantically attempting to remember occurrences of a storyline. It expands vocabulary, and knowledge of the English language, which would result in a more articulate student. Also, by reading each day, students will have consistent, developed writing and analytical skills

Lastly, reading each day for ten to fifteen minutes has been very well received by the class of 2022. Vivienne Swenson ‘22 explained, “I really enjoy reading each day in class. It really helps refresh your mind and get ready for English.” Stella Rieben ‘22 stated that “having ten to fifteen minutes of reading each day helped to balance English class” and was “helpful in preparation for the day’s workload.” One of the most important parts of a school is its students, and it is important to recognize that students who independently read a book of their choice every day really enjoy it.

     NEST+m students and teachers, I ask you all to contemplate the information that was provided to you. Students, would you rather independently read once per week, but have to struggle to recall the information you have read the week prior? Would you want to have the opportunity to expand your vocabulary, so that you write and speak more eloquently? Do you want to live a life with less stress? English teachers, do you want to give your students the opportunity to have improved health and academic skills? Or would you rather them accumulate stress and have nowhere to filter it out of their systems?