November Blog Post: Routman's Chapter 6 Young

Chapter 6 in Routman’s Book Reading Essentials is entitled “Plan for and Monitor Independent Reading”.  Routman states that a well monitored independent reading program is the most important part of a teacher’s instructional program, but ironically it is the part that is most often dropped due to time constraints.  Routman writes about another irony that I can relate to.  The students that need the most independent reading time are the struggling readers.  And very often it’s the struggling readers who get the least amount of independent reading time because they are often in structured remedial reading programs.

Routman strongly advocates that students need to do more independent reading, but through a “carefully designed, structured reading program that includes demonstrating, teaching, guiding, monitoring, evaluating, and goal setting.”     Routman details what independent reading time should look like.  Some suggestions include matching the right level book with a child, helping them find enjoyable texts, have students use strategies taught in class, and demonstrating goal setting with students.  Teachers are encouraged to have one-to-one student-teacher conferences, model strategies for the students, and keep well-maintained reading records.  Routman writes about teaching students classroom procedures during independent reading time such as:  students must be able to understand the book they are reading, read quietly, and maintain a reading record. 

Routman writes about using partner reading as part of a teacher’s reading instruction.  She writes that partner reading helps students “become more self-sufficent and less reliant on the teacher for assistance.” 

Routman writes how to teach students to select “just-right books.”  That is so important to teach students because many students may choose a book based on what their friends are reading, or what the cover looks like instead of the readability of the book.  Routman also writes about teaching students that just because they can read all the words, it does not mean the book is necessarily a “just-right book.” 

Lastly, Routman emphasizes the importance of letting students be able to choose what they want during independent reading time.  She states that “growth contributes greatly to their growth as readers.”