Why Reading Independently Matters

Why My Independent Reading Activities Kept Failing

If you love reading like I do, then you know that independent reading is a great part of every class. But, when I first started independent reading activities in my class, it failed! Crashed and burned! Furthermore, I think I actually made reading less enjoyable. It was a mess! 

My problem was that I made reading another assignment. I restricted reading choices. There were required meeting conferences. Book projects at the end of novels. A set number of books that students had to complete. And, my students hated it! And I couldn’t keep up. There was too much to do, and no one was enjoying it. That’s when I knew I had to change. And it’s where my independent reading ideas were born. So, I am sharing them with you. Keep reading to see how you can do way better than me! 

Benefits of Independent Reading

If you are thinking that it might just be easier to skip independent reading. I get it! There is only so much time to complete our lessons. Plus, if kids keep complaining about reading, why bother? Please let me just reassure you that there are so many benefits to reading! 

1. Improved Vocab Skills: Independent reading exposes students to a wide range of words. A study published in the journal “Reading Research Quarterly” (Cunningham & Stanovich, 1998) found a strong correlation between the amount of independent reading and vocabulary growth.
2. Enhanced Critical Thinking Skills: Reading independently encourages students to think critically, analyze text, and make inferences. 
3. Increased Academic Achievement: Research consistently shows a positive relationship between independent reading and academic achievement. A study conducted by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) titled “To Read or Not To Read: A Question of National Consequence” (2007) found that students who read independently score higher on standardized tests and perform better in various academic subjects.
4. Amplified Cultural Understanding: Reading diverse literature exposes high school students to different perspectives, cultures, and experiences. It promotes empathy and a better understanding of the world around them. 
5. Increased Self-Motivation: It allows students to choose books based on their interests, fostering a love for reading and lifelong learning. Research by Guthrie and Davis (2003) published in “Contemporary Educational Psychology” suggests that self-selected reading materials can significantly increase students’ motivation to read.

Ideas for How to Rewrite Your Independent Reading Program

Idea #1: Ditch the Independent Reading Project

Forget everything you have done before with independent reading projects. As much as you think it is fun to create book reports as covers, your students are not amused. If our goal is to foster a love of reading, creating any work around the reading just brings the value down. Furthermore, students might avoid finishing reading because they know they have to do something at the end. Remove all grades, all projects, and all reports!

However, if you still want an easy way to track student reading, check out my book spines template. Students complete one after each book so you know how much they are reading. All they need is the title, author, and page numbers from the book. They get a chance to review the novel as well. And include the artwork cover of the novel. That’s all they have to do. In about five minutes, they hand it to you to track their reading. Then they are on to their next novel.

Idea #2: Free Choice Reading: Let Students Read What They Want

First, if you want students to buy into your independent reading process? LET THEM READ WHAT THEY WANT! I used to have limitations on my students’ independent reading. However, they were frustrated and I had to make a change. Now, I have one requirement: read something on your reading level. Here’s a secret. I don’t even test their reading levels. I just guess and keep my radar up on anyone trying to sneak in a lower-level novel. This means all fiction, nonfiction, news articles, audiobooks, etc are fair game. 

Make it very clear to your students and your parents that you will not be modifying their reading. Want to make it unavoidably obvious that you care about independent reading? Put your value on reading right into your syllabus. Here’s what I put in mine. 

“ I believe we must trust these young adults more. So, you may pick up a book left behind on a nightstand and open to a passage with the details of something that is considered more adult content and wonder why it is a homework assignment and I will answer, “Your son or daughter chose it.”  I might have recommended novels because I read them and loved them, or the book may be unfamiliar to me because your child borrowed it from another student. The bottom line: I will not place a tight filter on what is read in this class, and I am asking for your support in this. I hope you will talk to your child about what he/she is reading this semester. “

Feel free to steal my answer for your own classroom!

Idea #3: Set Reading Goals

I am all about setting goals in my life. But, I feel like we have overdone setting SMART goals for everything. Instead for reading, I set the goal for my students. We set a goal of 50 pages per week for the entire semester (16 weeks) so our goal total is 800 pages. 

First, here’s how I came up with that number. According, to Edutopia (2020), “We know that to become good readers, students need to read a lot. Teachers should provide students with ample time to read. In the first few months of school, I usually give students 10–15 minutes at the beginning of class.” Most students reading rate is 1 page per minute so if I give 10 minutes each day that equals 50 pages per week. 

Likewise, I want reading to be easy. My goal is to get them reading on their own time. But, we need to start small and work our way up to that love of reading or wanting more. If I set a manageable goal for them then they can feel success. Check out Idea #7 for what my students get for hitting their goal. 

Idea #4: Give Daily Independent Reading Time

The only way to get my students reading is to give them time to read. You know how when you first start something, you need time and dedication? I think about running. When I want to get back into shape, I have to set a goal. Then I need time in my schedule consistently to run. If I get a routine, it becomes easier day by day. 

And, that is exactly why I have my students read at the beginning of every class. First, I love starting class the same way every day. It helps to bring everyone into the English class mode. Secondly, if my students are wound up or excited and chatty, reading helps calm them down and focus them in. We can all be on the same page and ready to start class. Plus, I want students to start to enjoy reading and that takes time and practice. 

Idea #5: Model Independent Reading and Chat About Books All the Time

One of the best ways to get students to read is to show them how much you love reading. I am guessing that as an ELA teacher, you love reading. You might be one of those awesome people who always has a book on you. You would rather be reading than doing almost anything else. Here’s a secret: independent reading can be for you too! 

Likewise, I love sitting with my students and reading for those ten minutes each day. I try to never use that time for anything else except reading. Even though it is easy to use those quiet moments to grade, catch students up, or work on your to-do list. But, seeing you read goes a long way for your students. If they see your excitement and passion for reading, they might want to do the same. My favorite is when the 10 minutes are up and I miss it. Students have to gently remind me to stop reading. I then get to share with them how much I love reading and I just couldn’t stop on that page!

That leads me to the next part of this idea: talk about your books all the time. I display the book I am reading at the moment in my classroom. I overreact when something exciting happens in my novel. When I see a student reading a book I have read, I chat with them about their reactions. Furthermore, I recommend books as I read them to students that I think will like them. Encourage a few minutes after each reading to let students chat about their books. This can just be while you are getting set up for the lesson. 

Furthermore, never force it. These book talks are not turn-and-talks or conferences. They are literally just you and students sharing what they are reading. Every time a student finishes a book, ask them what they like about it. Or if they would recommend it to you. If they see that talking about books can be a chill thing, they will start sharing more and more. 

Idea #6: Make Their Reading Visible

If we are setting goals and sharing about books, I think it helps excite students to display their reading. When students, especially ones who have not read a lot before, get a chance to brag about themselves, they become more motivated. But remember, we are ditching all the projects and requirements. 

My answer is book spines. Every time my students finish a book, they create a book spine. With these book spine templates, students add information about the novel, the number of pages, and the cover of the book. They also get to decorate the spine and add a 5-star review. When they turn in their book spine, I record their book pages to add to their goal. I then take their spine and display it on our bookshelf bulletin board. Now, you have really easy decor for your room. Plus, students can track how many books they have read without any effort at all. 

Finally, if you have competitive students in your class, they will be motivated when their friends get to put up a book spine. Plus, student who can’t find a book can go to the display. They can check out their peers’ reviews and make a choice. Or they can chat about a book with a student who has read it. 

Book spines are wins for everyone and that’s what I am all about! 

Idea #7: Make the Reward Worth It

Finally, the best thing that I ever did was set a major reward for my students. If you make your reward worth it, there is better motivation! In my class, I offer to buy Chick–fil–A for every student if every single student in class hits their reading goal. My students love Chick-fil-A so this is a great motivator for them. Every week, I remind them of that goal so they are motivated. 

Now, you are thinking, Becca I can’t afford that! Let me let you in on a little secret… I have been offering this reward to each of my classes for the last five years or so. That is over 25 classes and you know how many times I have had to cash in on that reward… TWICE! That’s it! But I don’t tell that to my students. I want to give them hope. 

If you are still thinking that promising Chick-fil-A sounds like too much. There are alternatives. Offer to cancel a class for the day and have a relaxing day. If your kiddos would like a movie day you could them that as well. Maybe offer bonus points or some other academic reward. Be creative with your reward and make it worth it!

More Fun Independent Reading Activities

How to Make Independent Reading Engaging

Power of Choice Reading

Great Summer Reading Lists for Teens to Plunge into Today

I know that you love reading and you want your students to love reading too! All it takes is a few little rewrites and your independent reading is going to be so much for your students. I would love to see how you are doing independent reading in your classroom.  Tag me or send me a DM @theteacherrewrite on Instagram. If you want your independent reading made easy, check out my Book Spine Templates. The best thing to do is to think smart, not hard! Make reading fun again with these independent reading ideas!