This module and book chapters were about independent reading. This is important for kids because it has so many benefits. Research tells us that when students engage in independent reading it can (Kelley & Clausen-Grace, 2008):
- Increase vocabulary.
- Support academic gains.
- Predict future reading and writing competence.
- Promote comprehension.
- Develop reader confidence and self-efficacy.
- Improve motivation (attitude and desire) to read.
I used this strategy when I was doing my case study. I was teaching my student comprehension strategies. I had her read independently and then we discussed the story. This is something we have to make time for in the classroom. Many students like this but, you have to be careful since some students fake read. It is important to engage students in reading. You need to have a distraction free environment and a wind variety of reading materials available for them. You should talk to your kids about what they are reading and monitor them. This may be a way for you to find out if they comprehend what they are reading.
I have to agree with you about how some students fake read. I think that this happens across all grade levels from K-12. Some students pretend to silently read and the only way for teachers to assess whether or not students were actually engaged in the reading process is by having conversations about the reading. I don't think that multiple choice questions about the reading are as effective either. Conversations allow students to show what they know on a more critical thinking level as opposed to low level multiple choice questions. Conversations require that students provide well thought out responses if the questions are asked correctly - versus just remembering certain facts. Even students who have fake read can look back in the passage to quickly find the answer - but that doesn't mean that they read the passage.
ReplyDeleteComprehension also goes deeper than just remembering facts. You want to be able to see if your student is engaging in the text and comprehending it on a deeper level.
I also agree with the source that you cite that there are multiple benefits to reading. Students that do read do have more background knowledge and bigger vocabularies.
Thank you for your post!!