The Power of Reading

In school free reading studies and "out of school" self-reported free voluntary reading studies show that more reading results in better reading comprehension, writing style, vocabulary, spelling, and grammatical development. (Krashen,2004). All students at West Elementary are involved in SKARFF (Smart Kids Are Reading For Fun) time. SKARFF is 20 minutes of free voluntary reading. Students choose the material they want to read during this time. Some students read their favorite novel, some read a magazine or a newspaper, some read nonficition books but all are engaged in reading. The power of SKARFF also relies on the teacher being engaged with his/her own reading. This provides a model for students.

If you are looking for a way to help your child be successful in school and in life, set up a Free Voluntary Reading time at home. Gather the family, choose some reading material, set the timer, and have everyone read! Hang a sign on your door announcing to all visitors that you are all reading and cannot be interrupted until a certain time. Let the answering machine take the calls!

For the Love of Reading Books to Build Lifelong Readers by David Bouchard is an excellent resource. This book features: 500 annotated listings of favorite books, lists for all ages from birth through high school, lists from four experts with distinctive tastes and decades of experience, lists of seasonal books and resources, and a comprehensive author and title index. I have a copy in my personal library. You may come in and check it out at any time!