LITERACY-BASED DISTRICT-WIDE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Aiken County Public School District January 15, 2016 Presenter: Tyral Braxton LEADERS IN LITERACY CONFERENCE

Independent In the Middle: A Guide to Independent Reading at the Middle School Level LEADERS IN LITERACY CONFERENCE

Essential Questions What is Independent Reading? Why is it Important? Why should Independent Reading be Encouraged?

Why? The best predictor of reading achievement is the amount of time children spend reading books on their own. Caldwell, K. & Gaine, T. (2000). “‘The Phantom Tollbooth’ and How the Independent Reading of Good Books Improves Students’ Reading Performance.”

Why? “If I were required to select a single aspect of the instructional environment to change, my first choice would be creating a schedule that supported dramatically increased quantities of reading during the school day.” Allington, Richard. What Really Works For Struggling Readers. Knoxville: Allyn & Bacon, 2006.

SSR and Independent Reading Student chooses any book to read Daily time to read

SSR vs. Independent Reading SSR Optional classroom library Book may be above grade level No checking by teacher No writing involved No reading goals Independent Reading Excellent classroom library Student reads mostly “just right” books Teacher monitors comprehension Students keeps a reading record Teaching occurs during a conference Teacher and student set reading goals

Components of IR A well stocked classroom library Sustained time each day in which to read Teacher as Reader “Just right” books An array of genres Time for sharing and book talks

Components of IR One to one student conferences (teaching, assessing, and evaluating on the spot, and goal setting) Well maintained reading records Procedures: modeled, understood, and followed by everyone

Selecting Books Book Format and Size Lexile Score Favorite Author or series Adequate Background Knowledge Interest Ability to understand the text Genre Supportive illustrations or visuals Writing Style Vocabulary

Set Up Classroom Expectations Be sure the book you are reading is one you like and understand Have with you as many books as you might need for the entire period Once you have selected your place to read, stay there Read quietly Maintain a reading record

Directed Independent Reading  Try using the strategy(ies) we’ve been working on  Notice how the character is behaving and what makes him behave that way  Visualize the setting the author describes  Make a connection to your life  Be on the lookout for a strong chapter lead  Reread when you lose meaning  Use what you already know to figure out what words mean  Note how an illustration or visual helps your understanding

SRI College and Career Professional Learning Guide Growth goals Report pgs College and Career Readiness pgs Student test printout pgs This report will show what the student responses to the actual test.

Independent Reading Time

Plan a Lesson

Return to the EQ

Questions