Independent Reading Time

Independent reading is always my favorite part of the day as a teacher. It’s a meaningful activity that your class can do every day. Once the kids have the routine down, it’s a great time for you to pull a guided reading group or do a running record, etc.

 

At the beginning, I set these expectations:

1. Everyone picks out 4 books to read and sits at their seat.

2. Don’t open the books until the teacher starts the timer. If you’re a student waiting for others to get their books, look at the cover and back of your books.

3. The teacher sets the timer for 7 minutes the first time (or whatever time you think your class can handle to start). I usually start with 7 minutes. Then, I work up to 10, 15, and 20 minutes as the kids improve at being able to sit and read for that length of time.

4. You can say “go” or “ready, set, read,” or whatever you’d like as they get started and you set the timer.

5. There is no talking during this time, but they’re more than welcome to whisper read.

6. If they finish their books, they need to reread until the timer goes off.

Later, once I start adding more time, I allow the kids to trade books with others at their table, as long as they trade without talking. You’ll probably need to model all of these tasks until the students understand what’s expected.

Also, a few weeks later, once they’re doing well with the independent reading routine, I give them a couple of minutes to talk about their books with a partner after the timer goes off.

Hopefully this time of day ranks near the top for you as well!

~Carrie

 

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