SUSTAINED SILENT READING ( SSR )

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.