Independent Reading - Reading Endurance

The last two days the class and I have been talking a lot about independent reading.  I am going to be asking the class to do quiet a bit of independent reading this year.  That is not always the easiest thing to do though.  I like to use a runner as an example.  Someone can not just say they want to run a marathon and and then run a marathon.  You would never make it.  You have to practice running and build your body up to be able to run the amount needed.  Reading is very similar.

I have found that there are a few major obstacles that get in the way of students who are trying to independently read.  The first is they have to books that are JUST RIGHT for them.  Some students will pick books that are too easy and they finish reading the book in a minute or two and they get bored.  Other students pick books that are too challenging for them and they get stuck on too many words, so these students get frustrated and stop reading.  The goal is to have books in the students hands that they can read most of the words but there are a few words where they need to slow down and use their problem solving skills.  This will help them grow as a reader without getting too frustrated.
How can your 2nd grow know if a book is JUST RIGHT?  That is a great question.  I am asking them to use the 5 finger rule.  When they are picking out a book I ask them to pick a random page in the middle of the book.  They are going to quickly try to read the page or pages that they turned to.  Each time they get stuck on a word I ask them to put up a finger and keep reading.  When they finish the page if all 5 of their fingers are up the book might be too challenging.  If they can read every single word really quickly the book might be too easy.  If they have 4, 3, or 2 fingers up the book is JUST RIGHT.

The second major obstacle is picking a good place where they can consecrate.  This is more difficult in the classroom then it is at home, because there is always a lot going on in the classroom.  They need to find a place where other people and other things are not going to distract them.

When your 2nd grader is reading at home please help them with these two obstacles.  Help them look at books before they read the whole book and make sure it is a just right book.  Also help them find a few places in the house where they can read without being distracted.