[LIT] Anyone do Independent Reading during the school day?- 5th grade

[Francie Kugelman]

Do you have a set time for independent reading each day?  I was reading a
file someone posted about this...

.."Our goal is that they should read independently for at least 25 minutes.
Some students will need to work up to this through a combination of partner
and independent reading, spending time responding in their journals, etc.
Begin by talking with the students about goal setting, pointing out that
they need not only identify the goal but also make a plan for how to achieve
it. In terms of reading what do they want to accomplish this school year?
How do they plan to accomplish their goals."

I know that these students are supposed to read 20 minutes at home each
night, but often they do not.  I have Book Clubs in my class and test for
comprehension at the end of the club so I usually get most of the students
to read.  But recreational, on their own reading seems impossible to
motivate for most students.  I have a library, and I have a great selection
of books, but they rarely use it.  That is why I have gone to Class sets -
we all read a book at home, and Book Clubs - small groups read the same book
at home, then meet to discuss it weekly.

Independent Reading would be an opportunity to have the students read on
their own, their own book in class.  Does anyone do this?  How often? How
many minutes.  Do you use a daily journal so the students are accountable
for writing their thoughts about what they read?

I really would like them to read a classroom book that is separate than the
at home book.

Thanks for your ideas and help.

I am going to try a lot of new ideas this year, and this seems like a good
one to add to the barrel.

Francie
5th
Los Angeles