Running a Reader's Workshop and having students engage in independent reading time is quite different from having students simply read for D.E.A.R. (Drop Everything And Read) or S.S.R. (Sustained Silent Reading.) The elements that contribute to the differences consist of: time, book selection, the student's role and responsibility, and the teacher's role and responsibility.
Time
D.E.A.R. or S.S.R. are often looked at as something you try to squeeze into your daily schedule. It might be a time after lunch or recess where students pull out a book for a few minutes as a quiet time to wind down from recess. It might be a quick break for the teacher to gather materials for the next lesson. Or it might be something that is only promoted during a reading or literacy month as a special activity. Or it might just be an end of the day activity as students are packing up to go home. Usually this activity may only last for 10 - 15 minutes.
Independent Reading consists of a large block of time 30-45 minutes. This time is planned out carefully and is a daily routine. In a classroom where reading workshop is a main structure of the reading program independent reading is considered to be one of the most important times of the day.
Book Selection
During D.E.A.R. or S.S.R. students can choose whatever book they like. These books may consist of library books, books brought from home, or books from the classroom library. These books may or may not be on the students reading level.
During Independent Reading students are taught how to choose a "just right book" which consist of books on their reading level. They choose books from an extensive classroom library based on level and interest. However, a teacher may guide the student's selection of books.
The Students Role
The student's role during S.S.R or D.E.A.R. is mainly to sit quietly for the given amount of time and read. However the students are held much more accountable when a Reader's Workshop is in place. Students engage in applying and practicing reading strategies that have been modeled by the teacher. The student responds to the literature through writing and keeps a reading record of books read.
The Teacher's Role
The teacher's role during S.S.R. or D.E.A.R. may be to sit at their desk and model they are readers as well by reading a novel or magazine.
However during Independent Reading teachers are much more accountable for their actions as well. During this time, teachers meet in one on one conferences or small guided reading groups with students. The teacher is responsible for monitoring students comprehension and decoding skills through informal reading assessments. Also, the teacher helps the student set reading goals and continues to monitor progress of those goals.
Independent Reading and S.S.R or D.E.A.R may seem at first that they are the same thing. However, they are quite different in their use of time, book selection, and roles of the student and teacher.
Mandy Yates - Mandy is a Literacy Coach in Virginia Beach as well as an adjunct instructor at Old Dominion University. She holds a masters degree in ...
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