IMPROVING LITERACY

THROUGH DIRECT
INSTRUCTION AND
LITERATURE CHOICE

INSPIRATION

FREE VOLUNTARY READING

Stephen Krashen believes that free
voluntary reading is the best way to improve
student literacy, including reading
comprehension skills as well as improving
writing and spelling
SSR Programs
Silent Sustained Reading
Allows students to choose reading
materials
Provides a set amount of time to read
silently each day
Promotes reading practice

It's about helping students develop richer vocabularies,

understand complex oral and written language, and become
proficient writers and reasonably accurate spellers, in other
words, it's about moving children to higher levels of literacy.
-Stephen Krashen

The only way to really

improve reading skills and
ability is to actually READ!

WHAT OUTCOMES DO I WANT FOR

MY STUDENTS?
Questions/Concerns
How much reading are students actually doing?

Am I fostering a love for reading and helping develop

lifelong readers?
Am I setting students up to fail by expecting them to
independently read and analyze a text far above their
reading level?
How can I help students that read far below grade
level, but are still expected to read grade level texts
across the curriculum?

WHAT OUTCOMES DO I WANT FOR

MY STUDENTS?
Conclusions
There is a difference between teaching works of literature and teaching
reading.

Provide supports for students when teaching literature:

Provide vocabulary instruction

Teach and model reading strategies
Extensive pre-reading activities
Read aloud or listen to text
Provide graphic organizers, reading guides or other supports

Provide ample time in curriculum for free reading and student choice in
literature to improve reading skills:

Allow students to choose the literature that appeals to them

Encourage literature choice that is reading level appropriate
Encourage reflection and connection to what they are reading
Create opportunities for students to practice reading and literature skills within
accessible texts

STATEMENT OF NEED

As an English teacher in the high school, one phrase is

heard from many students each year: I hate reading. To
add to that, many students also struggle with reading
comprehension. In trying to solve this problem, we set out
to create a unit that would not only improve reading skills,
but would foster a love of reading. Research shows that
allowing students to choose reading material that is
accessible and interesting is the best way to improve
reading skills. With this grant, we will be able to provide
our students with a wide variety of interesting young
adult books for their novel unit. This, ultimately, will not
only improve their reading comprehension skills, but
encourage a love of reading that will last long past tenth
grade.

IMPLEMENTING THE READING

INSTRUCTION
San Diego Quick Assessment of reading skills, McDougal
Littel Cloze test, and a Likert Self-Assessment of Reading
Skills
Explicit teaching of reading skills during short story unit
Modeling of reading strategies
Students are allowed free-reading time once a week
Students pick from a list of color coded book titles
organized by reading level for novel unit
Mini-lessons targeting specific reading and literature
skills during novel unit
Student/Teacher conferences during reading level to
ensure students are staying on track and to encourage
discussion about the text

IMPROVING LITERACY THROUGH CHOICE

NOVEL UNIT
Provide High Interest Reading Material
Find books that reflect their personal experiences
Assign Students Lists by Reading Level
Let students choose from a collection of modern authors
Promote a love of reading
Practice Reading and Literature Skills
Creative Writing and Response Journals

The most satisfying part

of this experience is that
kids really do get
excited about
READING!!

RESULTS 2012-2013 CO-TAUGHT