Sustained Silent Reading

Read the article pictured above from the Book Sommelier for a fun way to make your silent reading time more engaging.

Rules for Sustained Silent Reading:

1.The students read self-selected materials silently.

2.The teacher models by reading silently at the same time.

3.Students select one book, magazine, or newspaper to read for the entire time period.

4.A timer is set for a prescribed, uninterrupted time period.

5.No reports or records are kept.

6.The whole class, department, or school participates.

Effective Programs: SAFE DATE:

(S) staff training

• More than setting aside the time: “buy in” to it!
• Help students connect with books: providing materials, sharing your own reading, providing book lists, modeling

(A) appeal

• Offer appealing choices to read
• Promote appealing books with displays and bulletin boards: what teachers and students are reading, book reviews, posters, cartoons

(F) follow-up activities

• Time to talk about reading, share excitement about books
• Keep track of and share books read

(E) encouragement

• Share the research findings with students
• Share your own love of reading
• Nominate for reader awards

(D) direct access

• Okay to read trade books, magazines, comics, newspapers
• Schedule SSR or time to check out books in the library
• Library catalog online in every classroom!
• Write a hall pass to library (not during SSR – we read too!)
• English classes have large classroom libraries
• Hold a book drive or book swap
• Encourage students to buy books (Friends of the library has books for as little as $.50)

(A) accountability (none)

• Optional, student directed sharing

(T) time to read

• Reading daily creates a habit!
• Okay to use a portion of the time for sharing and discussion
• Okay to use a portion of the time for read-alouds
• Not okay for homework or class work

(E) environment

• Model and enforce the rules
• Flexible seating arrangements
• READ posters and “do not disturb” signs
• Not just physical environment: a place where reading is valued

Reference:

Pilgreeen, Janice L. The SSR Handbook: How to Organize and Manage a Sustained Silent Reading Program. Boynton/Cook Publishers, Inc. Portsmouth, NH. 2000.

Resources:

• NCTE Position Statement on Independent Reading (2019)
• A Reading for Pleasure Manifesto by Andy Seed (2018)