I Just Can’t Stop Reading! A Descriptive Study of a Sustained Silent Reading Program in a 9 th Grade Reading Classroom

1. I Just Can’t Stop Reading!A Descriptive Study of a Sustained Silent Reading Program in a 9th Grade Reading Classroom Audrey Wilson-Youngblood EDRE 5180 23 April 2008

2. Introduction to the Study • Challenges for Literacy Leaders • High Stakes • Push for better results, faster • Students spend less time engaged in recreational reading • 21st Century Needs • Maintaining autonomy and promoting best practice in increasingly conformist schools

3. Alliteracy and Adolescents • Alliteracy (Cadwell and Gaine, 2000)- the ability to read but lacking the interest to read; results in negative perceptions of reading. • 1998- Study demonstrated Americans spend less than 1% of their time reading • Adolescents have increasing time demands including new and advanced entertainment and technology, lack of resources, lack of reading role models • Reading achievement is linked to reading habits

4. What is SSR? An uninterrupted time (10-15 mins) devoted to reading self-selected texts. SSR is widely accepted to possess the following components: “self-selected reading material, uninterrupted period of reading, the teacher reading along with the students and the sharing of books after reading was finished” (Melton, 1993, pgs.5-6).

5. Usage in the classroom is “based on the belief that self-selection motivates the student to read [what] interests [them], and the resulting extended period of practice improves their reading achievement” (Nagy et al., 2000,p. 5). • The need for students to experience a chunk of time set aside solely for the enjoyment of reading grows from the necessity “that members of our society, including those who are disadvantaged, actually read rather than just be able to read” (Arthur, 1995, p.2).

6. Why do students need SSR? • Arthur (1995) demonstrated that in kindergarten, elementary, and middle school studies students with voluntary interest in reading have better “work habits, social and emotional development, language structure, and overall school performance but these children also scored significantly higher on standardized reading tests” (p. 3).

7. What Does Teacher Experience Tell us about SSR? There is a wide use of SSR in classrooms. Nagy et al. (2000) reported that 67% of teachers currently use some form and 87% report having used it at some time. Most teachers who use it are not part of a district or school wide initiative. Teachers are generally very satisfied with SSR.

8. Raising Student Engagement • Kasten (2005) reported an increase in student motivation and interest in independent reading from 3% to 97% after incorporating Book Bistro. • Students who are motivated to read become more engaged readers.

9. Teacher Choice and Implementation • Teachers who feel successful at SSR are incorporating all of Pilgreen’s factors of success and are allowed choice in creating their own SSR program. • When teachers choose their practices, they are more committed and have better implementation of new programs.

10. What Does a Successful SSR Program Look Like? Access Choice Appeal Modeling Non-accountability Follow-up activities (Fisher 2004, Pilgreen 1994)

11. Daily DEAR Routine • 15 minutes (extended to 20 after 18 weeks) of uninterrupted reading) • 3 minutes of sustained silent writing or journaling guided through teacher think aloud/ modeling • Daily Reading Log to record reading progress and books

12. Purpose of the Study • To describe a practice many literacy teachers use, despite the findings of the National Reading Panel—Sustained Silent Reading • To examine students’ experiences with SSR in relation to their reading habits, identities, and achievement • To inform best practice in order to match the needs of all learners, making it effective and positive • To examine the tensions and questions that arise in the course of the study

13. Initial Questions and Beliefs • What is the effect of independent reading on student attitude and habits toward reading? • If it does have an impact, will it lead to an improvement in reading skills? • Engagement in an SSR program will lead to the improvement of student attitude and efficacy as readers. • Engagement in an SSR program will lead to increased achievement in reading skills.

14. Sample Classroom • Participants • 40 9th grade remedial reading students in a suburban, rapidly growing district in the DFW Metroplex • All received 40-55 minutes of SSR/ DEAR per week with mini-lessons, journaling, and informal follow-up activities • Limitations • Small number of students • Multiple strategies and practices implemented in classroom • Qualitative Data (journals, letters, surveys, observations) direct results towards SSR/ DEAR

15. Reading Habits and Attitude Survey I enjoy reading the following types of materials: Email, text message, internet chat, websites, magazines, and song lyrics were reported the most Reading is something you either can or cannot do well 7 out of 35 students disagreed with the statement reflecting that 80% of students believe that you are either good or bad at reading.

16. Survey Cont. The statement that matches my belief: (6/ 16%) Reading is not important. By the sixth grade you know everything you need to know about reading. (11/ 30%) Reading is crucial to your success in the adult world. (9/ 24%) Reading is more important now than ever before (10/ 27%) Reading is less important than it used to be.

17. If I could improve one thing about myself… 14 students reported speed The following interferes with my ability to read as well as I would like… (17/ 52%) Distractions (7/ 21%) Lack of Time (3/ 9%)Lack of Knowledge (14/ 42%)Lack of interest (4/ 12%) None

18. Tensions • 1) Students were unsuccessful at self-selecting books that held their interest • 2) Students did not read quietly and consistently during DEAR • 3) Due to the number of students, I struggled to read and respond to students journals more than once or twice thus far and did not have a feeling where most students were in their independent reading.

19. 18 Week Survey Results I am prepared everyday for DEAR with a book that I enjoy reading. 4/ 5 (Agree) Reading during DEAR each day has helped me be a better reader. 3.2/ 5 (Neutral) I read on my own for enjoyment at home or in other classes. 2.5/5 (Neutral) I respond to my reading everyday in my journal. 3.7/5 (Agree) I feel good about finding and choosing books I will enjoy reading. 3.4/5 (Neutral) I have read____books on my own since the beginning of the year. (sample average—compare to required 2) 3.2

20. Instructional and Routine Changes Geared to Engaging Students • Purchase of a reading program including over 40 high-interest YA books on CD and 5 CD players. • Increasing time from 15-20 minutes • Teacher-Student conferences with students who had a hard time “settling” into a book • Increased modeling of reader response and exit passes • Moved DEAR time to end of class for students to have a skill in mind to practice

21. 27 Week Survey Results I am prepared everyday for DEAR with a book that I enjoy reading. 3.65 (+1.5) Reading during DEAR each day has helped me be a better reader. 3.61 (-.35) I read on my own for enjoyment at home or in other classes. 2.3 (-.2) I respond to my reading everyday in my journal. 3.2 (-.5) I feel good about finding and choosing books I will enjoy reading. 3.42 (+.2) I have read____books on my own since the beginning of the year. (average total number per student) 5.2 (+2.1)

22. Examining the Context of the Surveys to Understand Contradictions • Contradictions • Students were asking for additional DEAR time. • More students were engaging in discussions with peers, recommending, and discussing books • Even reluctant readers were “plugging-in” with the assistance of audiobooks. • Management issues were down. • Possible Explanation • Survey administered two days after TAKS test • Spent 3 weeks on TAKS prep and practice • High level of pressure and stress surrounding testing on campus

23. Sample Reflective Letters To start I have to say that this reading class has helped me improve on my reading skills and also I have gotten more intreested in books, which I think is pretty cool. When I'm reading I like to have a big imagination and in my head I would read different voices in my head of the different characters I'm reading. I also like to compare that story of things that I've said or done, makes everything much more interesting for me...I remember when I wouldn't pick up a book for nothing and now that I look back on that I'm thinking, why didn't I start earlier? And well I still have time to read the books that I want to read, the books that I'm usually interested are about life, action, mystery, depression I find them very intersting so far I have read one of each this year, and well I also think we should have more time on dear because we only have like ten minutes and I don't think thats enough. I think we should have 1 day per week that we have dear for some time and well thats what I think might be ....I think everybody has gotten interested in books with this class I remember at the beginning of the year where everyone was loud at dear and wandered around how everyone is quiet and focused on their reading well I have to start witha new book now that Ive finished the one at home so lets see ....

24. In the beginning of the year I honestly can say that I didn't like reading anything at all. Even when I was younger, I hated it even more. My mom would always tell me to read a book when I had nothing to do around the house. She kept on saying for me to be like her but I would always get mad and say NO! Even my father, sister, and aunt have told me but not as much as my mom did. If it wasn't for DEAR class, I would have never been reading, improving on my reading, or find a book that I actually enjoy. Even I don't like DEAR, it still has helped me a lot and sometimes I enjoy it. I guess reading isn't as bad as I thought it was in the begining of the year. But I still don't love it, I just like it I guess, but I'm not like before though & that makes me a little happy in a way. So thanks a lot for DEAR class, it's really helped a lot. But I still don't like to read for fun though, but I'm just saying tha I read faster now, & I have improved, & I've actually finished a book, and not just one book, I'm working on my third one & I've liked all of them.

25. One line that I remembered from one of my books Im reading is from the tenth circle. When trixies thinks "why me why now why at all." That’s what I think sometimes when Im going through bad situations. Like for example if someone was having family problems you doesn't neceserally like hearing the problems. But we all go through these things. I do think that you should keep DEAR for people like me that doesn't like to read because I doesn't and I remember that when I first came into this class I didn't know that I was able to read things I was interested in so its helped me a lot. I think I have become a strong reader. Dear Mrs. Wilson, well mein ready would be getting bedder and Im still getting bedder and Iv read like 3 books in the last year when I usually don’t read that much a year me Im getting used to reading a lot and then I can get bedder and bedder and next year I will probly read even more then how much I read this year. and well then I will keep on reading more and more then they will love reading more then I usually do so then I will go and keep on reading more books then I usually do when then they will keep me and do some ways I can go and keep on reading. At the beginning of the year I thought that since I have become a failure to reading (TAKS) every year, but as years went on my reading skills attend to grow a little not much. This year though was different cause we do more choices everyday or every other day, but their is always something different and it really helps me...I've learned alot more of reading, it now relaxes me in a way with thinking in the book and realizing that I pay more attention to understand what you say to us during class.

26. Five Patterns 1. Students who are successful in DEAR recognize that enjoyment of reading leads to greater achievement in reading. 2. Students who are successful have found more than one book that they enjoyed and are able to identify what types of text they enjoy and are confident in finding and selecting new texts. 3. Students who are successful interact with the text on multiple levels. 4.  Successful students recognize specific areas and skills that demonstrate growth and improvement in as a result of DEAR. 5.  Students who are successful in DEAR value the time to read texts of their choice and often begin to read during their own time and self-select texts outside of class.

27. Students who are successful in DEAR recognize that enjoyment of reading leads to greater achievement in reading 9/19 I don't know what to write about. 9/25 Dear Matthis I wonder why you did not exape when you had the chance. 1/8 Matthis and nina where still talking in the bathroom when tiddy knocked on the door nina got in the vent and left tiddy died a couple of minutes later. Before tiddy died he went out to the spot where matthis saved him and burned it all down. 2/26 Luke still has to look out the vents in the atice, whitch is his room. He has to stay hidden because in the world he lives in, a family is not alowed to have more than two kids and he is the third kid. Know there tearing down the woods and building houses there so lukes parents had to sel all of there hogs. The goverment raised the taxes and his parents can not pay the bill

28. Students who are successful have found more than one book that they enjoyed and are able to identify what types of text they enjoy and are confident in finding and selecting new texts. 9/6 I chose Holes because I saw the movie the movie was fantastic I wanted to read the book but I don't like to read. Next time I will read holes. 11/29 Holes is all most over only 35 more pages and ?I am free I will have a book for book bistro, and I won't need to read any more. 1/29 I am starting over the book is so good im gonna start over it is 1 of my favorit books considering I have only read like 5 books flags of our fathers is an interesting book it is so informing on what is going on during the time all this happened 1/30 well even though I started over now that I read it four a second time I have read stuff I don't rememer from the first time I read it I think reading it over is helping me under stand it more 2/26 Wow no CD's that sucks I like that over tha wall book because I like baseball and that kid is kinna like me every 1 thinks ur not that good because ur short but hight doesn't really matter I mean Im tha shortest kid on that team but im tha starting second base man--so yah I like over the wall.

29. Students who are successful find personal connections with books they choose often matching readers’ own experiences and emotions. 9/7 I picked my book because I love poetry. I also write my own poetry, and I'm trying to make them all into songs. My boy has a studio so he's gonna try to hook me up . After high school I might be a rapper…not quite sure yet though. 9/21 There was a poem called "Wide River" that I liked cause no matter how long or dangerous it was, hewould still cross it just to see his baby or die. I thought that was nice cause that's real love if you ask me. 2/? Well the book that I am reading is called We Beat the Street and I am enjoying it so far. I chose this book because its about these 3 guys who talk about their live in the past, & it kinda relates to my past, so yeah I think I'm goin to stick with this book. 2/? Yeah I knew it wasa real story, it said that in the beginning. But yeah what reminds me of my life is that they had their own set & I had mine to called A.B.I.'s, & this book is about kids growing up in the ghetto & that they need to avoid drus, & gangs fightin with each other & stuff. So yeah I imagine myself being in this book when I read it, so yeah it feels like my own biography in a way. I really love this book & can't wait to finish it!!!

30. Successful students interact with the text on multiple levels. 9/13 I don't know what to write. This book is starting to get some drama in it. The main girl Virginia is going threw high school without her bestfriend and is going threw difficulties beign a teenager with the popular kids making fun of her because she's fat, and all that other stuff 11/27 A girl named Callie starts cutting herself to deal with her problems. She gets sent to Sea Pines, a "residential treamtment facility" to help her. The thing about Callie is that when she cuts herslef its never too deep and never enough to die. She feels like she isn't ment to be where she is. 1/29 Maleeka in the beging of the book she says "The first time I seem her, I got a bad feeling inside." She's talking about a teacher that she has. It's kind of easy just to look at someone and you can tell if you have a good feeling or bad feeling about that person. 1/31 Maleeka had a flashback from last year and she hates it. She remembers when she had a boyfriend and everyone went on a trip and on the way her boyfriend broke up with her because everyone was making fun of him and her. Maleeka's mom finally gets a bonus at work so she can by Maleeka clothes from a store for once and when she wears them to school Char's the only one that has something negative to say about it.

31. Students who are successful in DEAR value the time to read texts of their choice and often begin to read during their own time and self-select texts outside of class. 9/11 my book it about this dude wen he was in senior year he says is like soo boring in hes class. He don't like it. I think that everyiting I want too write about. I'm tired! I want too go home!…um that everything I remember from yesterday. 1/? I am reading this book that talks about this girl that falls in love with this vampire& but the vampire has too kill her well I have not done reading. 2/12 I like the new bok I'm reading but I also like twiligh but I thing Ill take a breack for twiligh and I think I want too read the Lucas book. Soo im going too stick with the Lucas book for now 2/27 I read about Lucas his this guy that I guess his from the army and that every time she see his walk makes her smile. Her Dad is a book writer his brther is a jurck and she is cait the girl that fall for Lucas. Lucas and caitsaw echoter coming from picking up Dominic from colege ther dad was driving in a slow mosion soo she saw Lucas stare at her! and the same thing happened too her dad but Her bother Dominic killed it by saying ...(tme up) ew wat that! and i still need too finiesh.

32. Implications • Succeeded in providing students with a positive reading experience. • Many began to identify themselves as readers and see improvement in their reading • Informed instructional decision making and management of daily routines

33. Remaining Questions • What of those students who were never or seldom engaged during DEAR? How can I hook them earlier in the year so that they can experience growth and enjoyment? • How can I scaffold my instruction more strategically to support and tie-in with DEAR? • What practices, routines, questions, and tasks can I incorporate in my instruction to create a community of readers?

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