Parents and educators widely recognize that reading offers a multitude of advantages for students. In fact, for elementary grades 2–5, most of the school day is spent on reading and language arts, providing students with the foundation for a lifetime of reading skills. Yet, not all reading is created equal, nor does it require the same reading material. Independent reading requires reading material that’s different from an instructional context. In this blog post, we look at the differences and discuss why independent reading is important in developing students into lifelong readers.
What Is Independent Reading?
Independent reading involves students reading the books of their choice for a sustained period, whether during class or at home. While there may be occasional conferences or lessons with the teacher, the main focus is allowing the child to read independently. This approach enables students to fully immerse themselves in their chosen books and develop a genuine love for reading, without feeling limited by specific reading levels.
What Is the Difference Between Independent and Instructional Reading Levels?
It’s important to understand the differences between independent and instructional reading levels. Independent reading levels involve the level at which a student can read successfully without help. According to Read Naturally, students can read the material fluently with little difficulty at an accuracy rate of about 98%.
Instructional reading levels are different. This is the level at which a student can read with a teacher’s guidance or through direct instruction. Students must read materials at a 90% accuracy rate with support. Typically, instructional reading levels are slightly higher than independent reading levels.
Educators use the Fountas & Pinnell Benchmark Assessment System to measure independent and instructional reading levels. It measures reading behaviors, accuracy, and comprehension and assigns a reading level based on these metrics. Each level is given a letter, which allows the teacher to assign reading material or guide students to reading material that’s on their level, both for independent and instructional reading.
How Independent Reading Impacts Reading Achievement
When students engage in independent reading time, it boosts their confidence and also cultivates a positive attitude toward learning. Additionally, the freedom to select independent reading books and immerse themselves in reading for extended periods empowers students with a sense of ownership over their learning. By nurturing a culture of independent reading inside and outside the classroom, educators can pave the way for students to thrive academically. Below are four crucial ways in which this transformation unfolds.
Allows Students to Develop Reading Habits and Preferences
Encouraging students to participate in independent reading helps them understand what they like or dislike in books. When they are free to choose reading material that interests them, whether from the school library or the classroom library, it sets the stage for a positive and excited attitude toward reading. On the other hand, when students aren’t allowed the freedom to choose their reading material, they can become frustrated with materials that aren’t interesting or engaging to them.
Improves Overall Literacy and Reading Stamina
Students who engage in independent reading throughout the school year improve their reading speed, turning them into skilled readers. Even reluctant or struggling readers become better readers overall. Moreover, they develop impressive reading endurance, allowing them to handle reading challenges easily. As a result, these improvements contribute to an overall boost in literacy as their vocabulary grows and their reading skills thrive, especially as they read different books.
Gives Students Full Control Over the Reading Process
Regarding independent reading, students can choose their literary adventures and set their own reading pace. This gives them a sense of control and helps them excel in other subjects, ultimately empowering them to take ownership of their learning journeys. Whether they gravitate toward graphic novels, non-fiction, or fiction books, this freedom allows students to engage with texts that interest them, fostering a lifelong love of reading.
Encourages Students to Apply Independent Learning to Group Settings
As students engage in independent reading, they acquire valuable skills to apply to their learning journey. Independent reading promotes lively group discussions and collaborative efforts and provides a platform for students to nurture their unique thoughts and ideas. Additionally, many students experience a noticeable improvement in their critical thinking abilities due to their independent reading efforts.
Eight Advantages of Independent Reading for Students
When students engage in independent reading that aligns with their abilities, it goes beyond improving their reading skills. Studies have shown that independent reading fosters whole-child development. Let’s explore some benefits that positively impact students who embrace independent reading.
1. Increases Amount of Language Acquisition
Independent reading is one of the most effective ways for students to expand their vocabulary. By immersing themselves in the context of the text and the visuals within the books, they can effortlessly learn new words rather than relying on rote memorization. This organic approach to language acquisition speeds up the learning process and enhances its effectiveness.
2. Promotes Concentration and Improves Focus
Sustained Silent Reading (SSR) is a classroom technique that allows students to immerse themselves completely in a book. When given this uninterrupted time, students also enhance their concentration and focus skills. They gain even more benefits if they select a book and find it enjoyable.
3. Boosts Analytical and Critical Thinking Skills
Students are exposed to fresh ideas and worlds as they immerse themselves in books. This experience can boost analytical and critical thinking skills by helping them learn to interpret text. Reading, especially if it brings an emotional connection, can challenge a student’s bias and prejudice and expand their worldly perspectives.
4. Improves Writing and Literacy Skills
Proficient readers often excel in writing as well. Students who read absorb the nuances of written language and build stronger comprehension strategies. Over time, that translates into their writing skills. Ultimately, both reading and writing improve literacy skills.
5. Reduces Stress and Anxiety
According to the University of Minnesota, reading for pleasure reduces stress by 68%. Surprisingly, reading has a greater impact on boosting one’s mood than listening to music or using simple relaxation techniques. Encouraging kids to read independently for pleasure will help them benefit from these stress-reducing activities early in their development.
6. Builds Empathy
Exposure to various literary characters and the emotions the characters portray can help students build empathy. As they begin to relate to characters’ emotional journeys, students develop an appreciation for the thoughts and feelings of others. These internalized emotions can create empathy and cast a net of understanding in their daily interactions.
7. Encourages Open-Mindedness
Students become more open-minded as they expand their worldviews and learn about other cultures' beliefs and practices. They learn that the world is bigger than their community, and that helps them grow into well-rounded adults.
8. Creates a Community Reading Culture
Engaging in independent reading creates a wonderful sense of community where everyone cherishes the importance of reading. This feeling of togetherness is not limited to peers but extends to the adults in their lives. You can make reading a part of students’ everyday lives and create a thriving literary community full of energy and excitement by introducing an independent reading program or even a fun reading challenge, like the ones offered on Beanstack.
The Benefits of Sustained Silent Reading
SSR is one of the techniques educators can use to promote better concentration and focus through independent reading. This approach involves giving students structured silent reading time in their day. Many educators call this D.E.A.R., which stands for Drop Everything and Read. No matter what you call it, it benefits the students by increasing their excitement over reading.
Specific benefits of SSR beyond improved concentration and focus include:
- More enthusiasm for reading
- Promotion of student choice in reading
- Improved reading comprehension
- Increased reading culture in the classroom and beyond
To ignite enthusiasm for SSR in your classroom or school, participate in the Beanstack D.E.A.R. challenge. Set aside dedicated time in your school day for this enriching reading experience and watch the excitement grow.
How Beanstack Supports Independent Reading
Beanstack's reading challenges for schools not only provide incentives for independent reading but also play a vital role in fostering a reading community within your classroom and community in various ways. By offering rewarding reading challenges and user-friendly tracking tools such as digital reading logs, Beanstack encourages students to develop strong reading habits, achieve higher reading accomplishments, and truly engage with their reading material. Our reading software is specifically designed to promote active participation from students. Let’s explore how it achieves this.
Encourages Student Choice
Students are encouraged to make their own reading choices and to read beyond their suggested level without feeling penalized. Students can choose reading materials that align with their interests and abilities without imposing restrictions on which fiction or non-fiction books or levels they can explore. This approach encourages independent reading by placing student choice at the forefront of this effective reading technique.
By eliminating the restrictions of predetermined reading levels, Beanstack recognizes that every student’s reading journey is one of a kind. Some students may excel in specific areas while needing additional support in others, and Beanstack’s nonjudgmental approach allows them to navigate through books at their own pace. Students will begin to challenge themselves, diving into more intricate texts, building their confidence, and broadening their knowledge base.
Motivating Features for a Fun Reading Experience
Beanstack uses reading gamification to build excitement and ignite friendly competition among students. When they participate in challenges, they earn digital badges and have an easy-to-view online reading log to track reading streaks and view benchmarks like how long they have read and how many books they have completed. Schools can level up their reading challenges by offering prizes when students earn a reading achievement; however, many students find themselves motivated by achievement badges alone.
Inspires Students of Every Grade Level
With an innovative reading app designed to cater to readers of all grade levels, students can effortlessly track their reading time or pages read, whether at home or at school. They can even connect their accounts with their local library, streamlining the tracking process of their reading. Our versatile platform works with young children and serves as a source of motivation for older students at the high school and middle school levels.
Get Started Today
To cultivate a passion for reading in students, it’s vital to equip them with essential resources. Schedule a demo today to see how Beanstack can help your students emphasize the importance of independent reading, or get a quote to add Beanstack to your school district.