Monday, October 23, 2006

Sustained Silent Reading

Chapter 3 discusses the first of two direct strategies recommended by Marzano, sustained silent reading programs. Marzano cites eight factors that make up a successful reading program (Pilgreen, 2000):
Access: convenient access to a wide variety of reading materials
Appeal: students free and encouraged to read information that they find highly interesting
Conducive Environment: relaxed, comfortable, free from noise and interruption
Encouragement: teachers demonstrate interest, provide encouragement, model excitement about reading
Staff Training: provides information about SSR to all staff in the school
Nonaccountability: no testing
Follow-up activities: activities that allow and encourage students to interact about what they have read.
Distributed time to read: systematically and frequently providing students with SSR time.


Based on the information in this chapter, how do the sustained silent reading programs in place in your district compare? At what grade levels are they implemented? For how long do students read?


If you were to share this list with your teachers, what might surprise them?

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