The faculty and staff of South Anna Elementary values independent, self-selected reading. We know that the most effective way to develop strong reading fluency and comprehension is to R-E-A-D! As a result, teachers assume that students are reading at least 20 minutes every night and plan homework assignments accordingly.
Why is that 20 minutes of reading so important? Independent reading introduces students to new concepts, builds background knowledge, provides opportunities to practice and reinforce comprehension strategies, expands vocabulary, and builds confidence. Check out the graphic on the left. Students who read 20 minutes each day read an extra 3,600 minutes, or 1,800,000 words per year. Research shows that they score in the 90th percentile on state tests. In comparison, students who only read 1 minute each day (or less than 10 minutes per week) only read an extra 180 minutes over the course of the school year, scoring in the 10th percentile on standardized tests of reading achievement. |
How Can I Help My Reader? |
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Independent LevelWhen engaging in independent reading, children need to read books that are not too tough. They should be able to read 98-100% of the words accurately. We teach children how to find a "good fit" book during Daily 5 and Library Classes. Students look for books that fit their purpose for reading, that they are interested in, that they can understand, and in which they know all (or almost all) the words.
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Read-AloudsResearch shows that families play an important role in children’s reading success. By reading aloud with your children you are helping them become better readers, better listeners, and better students. You are also helping them build vocabulary and language skills, and helping them gain knowledge about the world around them. Here are 10 Audio Tips for Reading Aloud.
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Create a "Book Flood"Fill your home with books! Children who grow up in households where books are plentiful go further in school than those without books, a new study finds. This book benefit was seen across countries, and held regardless of the parent's educational background, the country's Gross Domestic Product, father's occupation or the political system of the country, the researchers say.
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