Traces the rationale for removing Sustained Silent Reading from reading instruction as implied by the Reading First initiative. Suggests that no one is accepting responsibility. Notes the authors are apparently out of step with their teaching because they recommend and use many practices that have not been validated by studies conducted by the…

Contrary to the claims of members of the National Reading Panel, there is strong evidence supporting the practice of in-school free reading. Many studies show "no difference" between in-school free reading and traditional instruction, but there are very few negative studies, and many positive studies. (The author's scorecard has 24 positive and…

The article questions the increased use of highly structured instructional reading programs for hearing impaired students and suggests there is also a need for holistic approaches, such as the Adaptation of a Sustained Silent Reading approach to develop student skills and interests. (Author/DB)

Concludes that when its guidelines are met, sustained silent reading seems to unite selected positive aspects of both direct and open instruction models into an effective activity. (FL)

Recommends using the technique of uninterrupted sustained silent reading to improve student attitudes toward reading. (AEA)

Each clearly differentiated program of reading instruction is based on a selected psychological school of thought. Rather than emphasizing one traditional plan of teaching, the teacher needs to study and analyze the student's curricular achievement to see what fits into the learner's repertoire of skills and knowledge. The materials and methods of…

This paper outlines various approaches to teaching reading. The first approach considered focuses on a teacher strictly following a textbook. The paper notes that textbooks which employ programmed reading help students progress at a slow but steady rate. It then discusses the hierarchical method of state mandated objectives and testing. Features…

Alternatives to traditional testing techniques are proposed for use in the adult English as a second language classroom. It is argued that traditional testing does not place responsibility for achievement on the learner as is appropriate with adult students. The suggested alternative methods are: the language experience approach, sustained silent…

Westerns Springs College in Auckland, New Zealand is an inner city coeducational secondary school of 670 multicultural and diverse students. Achievement test results in reading comprehension and vocabulary grouped students at the top and bottom of the scale. Reading was identified as a significant barrier to learning and in 1997 staff agreed to…

This paper discusses the importance of reading aloud to students. It emphasizes the teacher's need to plan carefully when to read and what books to read. The paper suggests the following ideas should guide a teacher's choice of reading material: whether the story will capture students' attention; whether the story will increase students'…

The school library is very important in developing a quality reading program. The library books and other reading materials need to be varied and on various levels of reading complexity so that students can read meaningfully without facing failure in word recognition and comprehension of ideas. This paper discusses school libraries and their…

Maintains that one of the most important contributions a principal can make to remedial and at-risk students is to support independent reading. Discusses curricular congruence and the use of sustained silent reading, paired repeated reading, maintenance of reading levels, reading recovery, and paired reading for prevention as well as remediation.…

Sustained silent reading (SSR) is intended to promote reading growth through allowing students to have sustained encounters with self-selected reading material without interruption in the presence of positive peer and teacher role models. Recent research suggests that SSR is of significant value when combined with a regular program of reading.…

Social studies teachers must take a role in promoting long-term literacy as part of schoolwide efforts in all subject areas to motivate students' independent reading. This may be accomplished by: (1) including literature as part of the instructional program, to support recurring themes in history (such as "in quest of freedom") or to…

Discusses the effects of a sustained silent reading (SSR) program on school administrators, teachers, librarians, and the students. Offers suggestions on setting up an SSR program. (SRT)