Enhancing Skills With Independent Reading Books

While it’s true that teachers of all disciplines are responsible for instilling and enhancing reading skills, literature teachers are tasked with taking on the majority of this task.  Independent reading books are the perfect complementary resource to the curriculum to accomplish this goal in literature classes.  Here’s how:

 

You will want to start by administering a benchmark assessment to your students to determine each one’s Lexile reading level.  For further details about benchmarks, be sure to either ask your department supervisor or consult reputable sources on the internet, such as https://www.readinga-z.com/ and https://lexile.com/. 

 

After your students’ reading levels have been determined, they will choose ability-appropriate books (fiction or nonfiction) that are of interest to them.  These texts will work in combination with the reading taking place as a whole class on a regular basis. 

 

You may consider having a class library with an assortment of Lexile levels for fiction and nonfiction texts – mystery, adventure, science fiction, classics, memoirs, biographies, and much more!  Allow your students to “sign out” books from your classroom collection, just as they would at a public library. 

The more that students are exposed to a variety of texts, the more opportunities for growth in the areas of phonics, vocabulary, and comprehension.  This exposure will also improve their writing skills.  Since students are consuming a myriad of writing styles from different authors in different genres with different purposes, their writing abilities will naturally blossom as a result of reading.      

 

Keep in mind that students’ Lexile levels will grow over time.  Administer reading assessments at multiple points throughout the academic year, such as during each marking period or unit.  As a student’s reading ability improves, direct him/her towards specific texts at the appropriate level.   

 

Also, while each student is required to have an independent reading book, the fact that he/she is choosing a book that sparks curiosity can very well be the magic ingredient that turns a reluctant reader into an enthusiastic one.

 

You may be wondering, How are independent reading books incorporated into the class period, the week, etc.?

 

One way to use independent reading books is as an enrichment activity for early-finishers.  Request that all students bring their chosen books to class every day.  Establish the expectation that any student who finishes the classwork work early must read his/her selected book.  This task keeps students productive while building on skills.

 

Another method is to make independent reading part of the weekly schedule.  For example, the Do Now activity on Thursdays can be dedicated to reading the self-selected books.  That same portion of the period on Fridays can be used to complete activities about the books, such as identifying pivotal events in the plot, analyzing characters, and discovering new vocabulary. 

 

You may even want to apply both approaches (the “every day” approach and the “weekly” approach) so that there are never missed opportunities for reading.  Find a system that is most effective for you and your students. 

 

How are you incorporating independent reading books in your classes?  What ideas would you like to share?  Leave a question, comment, or suggestion below, in the Comments Section!   

 

Please visit my Teachers Pay Teachers store to purchase an affordable graphic organizer of Independent Reading Book Activities, as well as a variety of resources for all grades and subjects!

 

Peace.  Love.  Reading & Writing.

 

💗 Miss M