A. History
Sustained
Silent Reading ( SSR ) was first proposed by Lyman Hunt at the University of
Vermont in the 1960s and by the 1970s it had been implemented in the public
school system. It is known by many different names such as :
·
We Enjoy
Book ( WEB )
·
Free
Voluntary Reading ( FVR )
·
Drop
Everything and Read ( DEAR )
·
Positive
Outcomes While Enjoying Reading ( POWER )
·
Daily
Individual Reading Time ( DIRT )
But,
perhaps the most commonly used name is Sustained Silent Reading.
B. Meaning of Sustained Silent Reading
Sustained
Silent Reading ( SSR ) is a form of school – based recreational reading or free
voluntary reading, where students read silently in a designated period everyday
in school. An underlying assumption of SSR is that students learn to read by
reading constantly.
C. Components of Successful SSR Programs
1) Access
We
make it easy for students to access books.
2) Appeal
If
we want students to read, we need to let them read what they want.
3) Conducive Environment
Allow
students to move chairs, sit or lay on the floor, and sit near friends ( as
long as they read and talk ).
4) Encouragement
Teachers
must read, too ! Lead by example and model that SSR is important. Help match
students to books by asking about their interests.
5) Staff Training
You
must have teacher buy – in if the program is to be successful.
6) Non – Accountability
Students
will not be quizzed and will not be required to keep a log ( although they can if they so choose
). Do not require them to finish a book they don’t like.
7) Follow – up Activities
Although
effective SSR has no accountability, it does provide follow – up activities.
Leave time for follow – up activities. Allow disscussion. Allow creativity.
8) Distributed Time to Read
One
of the most important factors in creating independent readers who want to read
is building a habit. Habits require time and consistency. Habits aren’t built
overnight. At least two days per week with 20 minutes spent reading and 10
minutes spent on follow – up activities.
D. The Advantages and Disadvantages of
Sustained Silent Reading
1. The advantages Of SSR
Ø Reading Comprehension
The biggest
benefit of SSR is an increase in reading comprehension. The more someone reads,
the better she will be at it. The old adage of practice makes perfect rings
true when it comes to increasing any skill, including reading. If students
dedicate a block of time every day to work on their reading skills, their
reading comprehension, vocabulary and understanding of difficult texts will increase.
Ø Recretional Reading
SSR can also
lead to an increase of reading outside of the classroom. As students build a
habit of reading regularly, they may continue to read even when they are not
required to. Perhaps they are absorbed in the book that they are reading and
choose to continue it at home or they come across other books that are similar
to ones they have read and liked and start reading those as well.
Ø Increased Interest
Successful SSR
programs allow students to choose their own novels to read. This allows
students to further explore subjects that they are already interested in.
Furthermore, when a student is interested in what he is reading, he is more
likely to read more of it and enjoy reading it, which will only further
increase his interest in reading other books.
Ø Academic Benefits
Students who
have a higher level of reading ability tend to have increased skills in other
academic areas as well. Good readers also tend to be good writers, with more
developed vocabulary and spelling abilities. School textbooks also become
easier to read and students tend to do better in other subjects as well as in
standardized testing.
2. The
Disadvantages of SSR
In SSR, the teachers are not watching students read,
how can they ensure that the students actually reading? What if the students is
just sitting there, sleeping, doing other homework, or writing notes/texting?
There was also a concern about how much of a benefit it actually was for
students who were struggling with reading to be required to read by themselves
for 20 minutes without any assistance. It would be difficult to improve reading
ability and fluency if students were not using the sustained silent reading
time wisely and without observation or accountability there was nothing in place
to encourage students to use this time wisely.
