Free Voluntary ReadingEveryone should love to read

Created by: L. Holwerda & B. Roberts, 2013

We believe that as teacher-librarians our main goal…is to instill a love of reading

by modeling a love of reading

by reading many books and reviews

by recommending books

Free Voluntary Reading is:

reading because you want to

reading what you want

reading when you want

what most adults do daily

is often called SSR or USSR or

DEAR in school settings

Stephen Krashen is:

professor emeritus at the University of

Southern California

a linguist, educator and activist

has published more than 350 papers

and books

believes that FVR is the most powerful

tool we have in language education

Krashen summarizes:(students involved in FVR compared to those who aren’t)

do as well or better at reading

comprehension

do better on tests of writing, writing

fluency, spelling, vocabulary, grammar

read more (both during and after the

program ends)

show an improved attitude towards

reading

And a few bonuses:

teachers report fewer discipline problems

this works just as well with second

language learners

increased general knowledge

for older adults, less memory loss

Reading Inventory Reading Interest-a-lyzer © (based on the Interest-A-Lyzer by J.S. Renzulli, adapted from D.

Miller) Name: ____________________ Teacher _______________ Age _______ Please circle your answers. Are you currently reading a book for pleasure? Yes No Do you ever read a book for pleasure? Yes No What do you like to read for pleasure? (circle all that apply) chapter books history bookspicture booksnewspapers sports books mystery books poetry

books fantasy books science books biographies funny books scary books non-fiction books magazines cartoons comics manga other ________

I am more likely to read a book for pleasure if: A teacher suggests it A friend suggests it A librarian suggests it It’s won an award It’s by an author I know The cover is interesting I see a book trailer for it I find out about it on the internet 5) My 3 favorite books are: 1)

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

2) ___________________________________________________________________________________________________

3) ___________________________________________________________________________________________________

6) In the last week, I have read for at least half an hour (30 minutes): Every day 3-5 days 1-2 days 0 days

A few results

The 40 Book Challenge wiki

TL Example

Grade 4

Grade 4

Grade 5

Grade 5

Grade 5

Grade 5

Building Community through Comments

Challenges

teacher support

access to computers

student engagement

time

misunderstandings, e.g. “Done!”