Setting Up Your Classroom For Accountable Independent Reading

PART TWO: creating an effective reading routine for independent reading

Read-alouds with students and to students are IMPORTANT.

A whole-class literature analysis from a reading and writing perspective with a quality text is NECESSARY.

Opportunities for independent reading are FUNDAMENTAL. 

We look at this from two perspectives:

1. We help students intentionally choose their own texts to read (previous blog post) 

   
   

2. We appropriately set up independent reading conditions with accountability and responsibility 

Setting Up Your Classroom For Accountable Independent Reading

To create an effective independent reading environment, it’s essential to establish a strong routine with clear expectations. Begin by setting a regular schedule for independent reading, ensuring that students understand what is expected during this time. Consistency helps students build the habit of reading independently and fosters a sense of responsibility.

To ensure that independent reading time is productive, it’s important to monitor and manage the process carefully. Ensure they remain engaged by circulating the room, observing students’ reading behaviours, and providing scaffolding when necessary. It’s also crucial to teach reading strategies directly and model them for students, so they have the tools they need to read independently with comprehension and purpose.

Accountability is another vital component of independent reading. Rather than relying on a reading log, students use reading responses. Reading responses are an effective way to keep students accountable as they read because they need to demonstrate their thinking about a section of the text they have read during the set time frame.

Key elements of independent accountable reading include:

• A separate reading response book to other exercise books

• Title and author of the text being read

• The date

• The learning intention and success criteria

• A focus question 

A focus question ensures students have a focus the entire time that they read, so that even if distracted, they’re redirected and drawn back to the goal of the focus question. They know that this will be in relation to the reading response. 

By establishing clear routines, offering choice, actively monitoring progress, and incorporating accountability measures, you can create a structured yet flexible independent reading environment that supports students’ growth as readers.

Understanding and Building Reading Stamina

In addition to setting up the right conditions, focusing on building reading stamina is crucial. Reading stamina refers to the ability to focus and read independently for extended periods without becoming distracted (like drink bottles flipping or the doors slamming!). It’s about sustaining mental effort over time. This is essential because it enables students to grapple with longer and more complex texts. It also helps foster a love of reading by making it a more enjoyable and immersive experience. 

• Start Small: Begin with short, manageable reading sessions and gradually increase the time.

• Set Goals: Work with students to set realistic reading goals (based on student literacy data, such as a fluency, accuracy, vocabulary for comprehension focus) that challenge them without becoming difficult.

• Model Stamina: Demonstrate what focused reading looks like and sounds like, and discuss strategies for staying engaged with the text.

• Celebrate Progress: Acknowledge and celebrate when students reach new milestones in their reading stamina.

• Use Timers: Timers can be a useful tool for helping students keep track of how long they’ve been reading and challenge themselves to read for just a bit longer each time.

The Power of Reading Conferences

Lastly, implementing one-on-one reading conferences into your routine is necessary to monitor progress, check for understanding and to become more familiar with your students as readers. These conferences allow you to check in with students individually, discuss their reading, address reading roadblocks, set personalised goals and provide feedback based on what you’re observing. During these sessions, you can ask specific questions to gauge their understanding (such as the focus question), offer guidance on the reading strategies they can use to overcome difficulties, and provide praise and positive feedback for successes and wins. 

Examples of what to look for during reading conferences with a focus on Comprehension, Vocabulary, Accuracy and Fluency.