How to Incorporate Independent Reading with Middle and High School Students

It’s my mission in life to make sure secondary students don’t lose their love of reading. Elementary teachers do a fantastic job of making reading a magical experience, and I believe this magic can continue in middle and high school as well. One way I’ve fostered a love of books in my classroom is with free-choice independent reading. 

When to do free-choice reading

Students get 10 minutes of silent reading time at the beginning of each class. I prioritize this time more than any other time during my 90-minute class. We never skip it…ever. I emphasize its importance from the first day of school, and I tell them that it belongs in the forefront of our time because reading is essential to becoming better writers and thinkers. I allow them to choose any free-choice book that they desire in any format including eBooks, audiobooks, graphic novels, or whatever they want to read!

During this time, I read with my students. Even though I have a million things I need to be doing, I don’t do them. I read. I model how much I value my independent reading time by not allowing any interruptions during this time. I will often use proximity (standing and reading near a disruptive student) to combat behavior issues. Or, if a student blurts out during this time, I silently ignore them and later remind them that we are to be quiet and respectful during our reading time. Just keep in mind that building a silent independent reading routine takes time and patience. Stick with it and it will be worth it!

Also, I understand that reading with students is easier for those who have longer class periods. If you have 45 minute classes, this may not be possible! Above is a sample timeline for varying class periods, but if you don’t have enough time, I would personally cut the bellringer resource and only do independent reading as your bellringer. Yes, these middle school and high school book bellringers help with test prep while promoting more reading, but if lack of time is an issue, then my recommendation is to read.

How long should free choice reading be?

Did you know that reading for only 6 minutes can lower your stress levels by 68%? As you can see from the timeline chart, I think 10 minutes is the perfect amount of time for a 90 minute class, but if you can’t devote that much time, could you squeeze in just 6 minutes? 

In only 6 minutes per day, you can: 

• Help reduce stress by 68% according to a 2009 study at the University of Sussex.
• Help build a daily reading habit according to research that shows that around half of our daily actions are driven by repetition.
• Help students read up to 1,200 more words per day according to average silent reading speed of teens.
• Help give yourself a built-in flex plan by adding more time for interrupted routines like: picture day, early dismissal, unexpected loss of internet, etc.. according to anecdotal evidence from a teacher who has been there. 😜
• Help build a rich classroom reading culture according to anecdotal evidence from passionate educators in the ELA community.  

 

Where do you get free choice reading books?

When you first start your independent reading routine, you may not have a big classroom library built up, and that’s ok! Actually, a small classroom library of decluttered 5-star books may even be better!

While the evidence is clear that access to books increases literacy rates, that access can come from lots of different places! You know the proverb: “If you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. If you teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime.”

This applies to books. Giving a student a book to borrow from your classroom library is great! Teaching a student how to borrow a book from both digital and physical libraries is even better. 

When you start your independent reading program, be sure to allow extra time upfront for getting students signed up for a local library card, teaching them how to browse your school library, and teaching them how to use digital libraries like Libby, Sora, or Hoopla!

Tip: Undoubtedly, you will have students who forget their books some days. I keep a stack of UpFront nonfiction magazines in my room so that when a student forgets, they read a magazine. If a student makes a habit of forgetting their book, then I conference with them and help them find a book that they like well enough to not forget.

How to ensure students are reading during independent reading 

Though it takes some time, once we establish our daily reading habit, all of my students have their books out reading at the start of class ….or appear to be reading. As much as I would love to think all of my teenage angels are blissfully engaged in reading each day, I’m a realist and know that this isn’t the case. However, I do want all of my students to actually read, so I give fun little assignments to make them accountable for their daily reading. I want these assignments to be fun so as to not take the joy out of reading, but I also want these assignments to encourage students to finish a book. 

Here are few ideas:

• Schedule periodical free choice reading events such as speed dating a book or edible book projects.
• Incorporate artistic book assignments like book bracelets or a holiday related book report such as character pumpkins, holiday sweaters, or spring eggs. 
• Encourage daily discussion of free choice books with book bellringers: Middle school edition, High school edition

I hope this post has encouraged you to start incorporating free choice reading with middle and high school students. It truly transformed my teaching and classroom culture. My parting advice is this: be patient. We know that building any new habit takes time and this will too! And just like with other good habits, it will be worth it in the long run! 

P.S. Do you want a super fun way to take attendance that also promotes reading? Be sure to grab your freebie here: