Sustained silent reading
Encyclopedia
Sustained silent reading (SSR) is a form of school-based recreational reading, or free voluntary reading, where students read silently in a designated time period every day in school. An underlying assumption of SSR is that students learn to read by reading constantly. Successful models of SSR typically allow students to select their own books and require neither testing for comprehension nor book reports. Schools have implemented SSR under a variety of names, such as "Drop Everything and Read (DEAR)" or "Free Uninterrupted Reading (FUR)".
, SSR has been shown to lead to gains in several literacy domains, including comprehension, spelling and increased vocabulary.
Advocates also point out that students in SSR programs have more positive attitudes toward reading than students who do not participate in SSR programs.
(NRP) in the United States meta-analyzed all quasi-experimental and experimental studies of SSR and challenged the claim that SSR has positive effects. The panel stated that the literature contained insufficient numbers of quasi-experimental or experimental studies on SSR to validate its use as a sound educational practice. The panel also noted that the absence of quantitative evidence was not evidence against the practice in itself. They recommended further study of SSR. The NRP's finding was somewhat contentious. Some advocates of SSR claimed the panel had ignored non-experimental findings favoring SSR. Moreover, some critics of the NRP suggested that the panel had worded its commentary on SSR to throw the practice into disfavor even though they admitted little evidence against the practice.
Advocates' perspective
According to advocates, such as Stephen KrashenStephen Krashen
Stephen Krashen is professor emeritus at the University of Southern California, who moved from the linguistics department to the faculty of the School of Education in 1994. He is a linguist, educational researcher, and activist.-Work:...
, SSR has been shown to lead to gains in several literacy domains, including comprehension, spelling and increased vocabulary.
Advocates also point out that students in SSR programs have more positive attitudes toward reading than students who do not participate in SSR programs.
National Reading Panel analysis of sustained silent reading studies
The National Reading PanelNational Reading Panel
The National Reading Panel was a United States government body. Formed in 1997 at the request of Congress, it was a national panel with the stated aim of assessing the effectiveness of different approaches used to teach children to read....
(NRP) in the United States meta-analyzed all quasi-experimental and experimental studies of SSR and challenged the claim that SSR has positive effects. The panel stated that the literature contained insufficient numbers of quasi-experimental or experimental studies on SSR to validate its use as a sound educational practice. The panel also noted that the absence of quantitative evidence was not evidence against the practice in itself. They recommended further study of SSR. The NRP's finding was somewhat contentious. Some advocates of SSR claimed the panel had ignored non-experimental findings favoring SSR. Moreover, some critics of the NRP suggested that the panel had worded its commentary on SSR to throw the practice into disfavor even though they admitted little evidence against the practice.
Sustained silent reading practices
A range of practices have been associated with SSR, and some advocates suggest that teacher models of reading behavior (i.e., teachers read while the students read), a long term commitment to SSR, availability of multiple level, high interest texts, and a sense of reading community are particularly relevant.Free voluntary reading (FVR)
Free voluntary reading (FVR) or recreation reading, related to the comprehension hypothesis, is an educational theory that says many student gains in reading can be encouraged by giving them time to read what they want without too many evaluative measures. Sustained silent reading is a method of implementing recreational and FVR theory.In popular culture
- DEAR and SSR play a cameo role in the Ramona QuimbyRamona QuimbyRamona Geraldine Quimby is a character from a series of novels by Beverly Cleary. She starts out in the Henry Huggins series as the pestering little sister of Henry's friend Beatrice, called "Beezus" by Ramona and her family. She was given a larger role in the novel Beezus and Ramona...
series of children's books by Beverly ClearyBeverly ClearyBeverly Cleary is an American author. Educated at colleges in California and Washington, she worked as a librarian before writing children's books. Cleary has written more than 30 books for young adults and children. Some of her best-known characters are Henry Huggins, Ribsy, Beatrice Quimby, her...
, in which young Ramona uses her assignment as an excuse not to talk to an annoying younger child.