Revisiting the Power of Independent Reading

We know the amount of reading students do correlates with how well they read. To become good readers, students must spend substantial time applying the reading skills and strategies taught. In this article, I will discuss the power of independent reading and how it affects students’ learning outcomes. 

Positive Outcomes of Independent Reading

When reading is increased, students become more fluent. Fluency means students can better sustain the mental effort of comprehending texts. Fluency will also lead to increased word knowledge is increased. As an instructional practice, independent reading provides a solid foundation with academic and social-emotional benefits for students to connect with their peers, their families, their community, and the world. Reading the right book can help every child feel seen and heard. 

Time for Independent Reading is Essential

The way to create a large reading volume is to establish a time in which independent reading is supported. Specifically, during independent reading, students should read from texts that are easy enough to decode and understand without much effort. This is when students are provided with time to apply what they have learned throughout the day. The good news is that all literacy instruction leads to independent reading. All components that make up a solid reading program can be enhanced through independent reading. 

Despite the benefits, according to a Scholastic Teacher and Principal report, 34% of teachers shared that they set aside time every school day for independent reading. The amount allocated is 22 minutes on average. Unfortunately, independent reading is often replaced with other programs like test preparation. However, if our goal is to grow independent readers, we need to promote the type of reading environment that will enable students to become literate, well-informed adults instead of being forced to read worksheets and isolated facts. 

Readers Need Support

In asking students to practice and discover the work of real readers, we are having them do the type of work they will encounter in the real world. Therefore, our instruction must explicitly state what, why, and how readers read.

Instructional Support for Independent Reading

In focusing on what readers do in real life, the components of literacy instruction work together with a clear purpose. In doing so, consider the following:  

• Independent reading time needs to occur every day without expectation, and reading requires regular practice, not just when their work is finished. Having little control over how much and if students are reading outside of school means our best efforts are spent being engaged in reading at school.
• More than the number of minutes read, providing independent reading during the day is an equity issue as some students have access to a variety of books while others have none.
• Today’s literacy instruction requires students to have time to practice and productive practice with tools provided through instruction. This support occurs through multiple structures, including mini-lessons, conferences, guided reading, shared reading, and book clubs. Without support, we are missing an opportunity for intentional instruction.
• During this time, students can choose any book based on their interests through the support offered in choosing books. Student choice in the text is essential because it motivates and engages. As an instructional practice, independent reading builds habitual readers with conscious reading identities.

Supporting independent reading may not be flashy; however, independent reading is integral to developing lifelong reading habits. As such, we need to resist the urge to cut this time and instead protect it. 

Further Reading

• No More Independent Reading Without Support (Not This But That) Not This But That (Debbie Miller & Barbara Moss)
• Readicide: How Schools Are Killing Reading and What You Can Do About It (Kelly Gallagher
• The Book Whisperer: Awakening the Inner Reader in Every Child (Donalyn Miller
• Trusting Readers: Powerful Practices for Independent Reading (Jennifer Scoggin & Hannah Schneewind)