SUSTAINED SILENT READING

SUSTAINED SILENT READING

Sustained silent reading (SSR) is a form of school-based recreational reading, or free voluntary reading, where students read silently in a designated time period every day in school. An underlying assumption of SSR is that students learn to read by reading constantly. Successful models of SSR typically allow students to select their own books and require neither testing for comprehension nor book reports. Schools have implemented SSR under a variety of names, such as "Drop Everything and Read (DEAR)" or "Free Uninterrupted Reading (FUR)".

Sustained silent reading can serve many purposes:

·         Most school reading is assigned reading. SSR offers students an opportunity to read material of their own choice.

·         During SSR time, many students learn that they can use their word attack skills to figure out new words -- on their own!

·         SSR can build students' confidence in their abilities to work through reading trouble spots.

·         Many studies of whole-class groups and of select groups of unmotivated readers show that SSR can result in students wanting to reading more.

·         The amount of time that students spend reading independently outside of school often increases as a result of SSR, parents report. Often children ask for books to read at home.

·         SSR can be one more element in a reading program aimed at demonstrating the joy that reading can bring and developing lifelong readers and learners.