Melissa Pruitt’s Blog Post 1: Is There Enough Time? And Is Time Enough to Support Independent Reading?

In Section I of Debbie Miller’s No More Independent Reading Without Support she writes that when children read extensively, they learn about themselves, other people, and the world. She states that for children to develop the habits and identity of thoughtful, strategic, proficient readers, they need practice and, to make their practice productive, they need the tools that we can provide through instruction.

 Working as a special education classroom my time with my students is limited to 50 short minutes per day. Because students with disabilities require specialized instruction, we are tied to research based programs. Although I know this instruction is essential for them as students with disabilities, I also realize that the reading material within these programs is not always material that they are eagerly waiting to read. The fifth day within the scripted program is set aside for individual assessments to assess specific reading skills, reading fluency and story retelling from the week’s lessons. During this time the students generally would complete several small assignments that don’t appear very meaningful, while waiting for their individual assessment. I made the choice several years ago that on this day within the program my students would spend their time with books. I discovered that this is the time my students are waiting for all week long! On this day, I get to see all my struggling readers enjoy their time with a book. I have worked with many of my students year after year and watched them grow as readers over time. I am reminded on this day that even our most struggling readers can learn to find joy in books. Reading this passage leaves me hopeful that all of our students will be provided the time along with focused instruction to read independently every day. I believe that students at all levels will benefit!