Authentic Reading
Oak Point Elementary, Eden Prairie Schools
What is Authentic Reading?
Authentic Independent Reading is:
- reading a variety of text for real purposes.
- a reflection of the reading that occurs in everyday life.
- time students spend reading self-selected texts.
- supported by instruction
- a daily extended amount of time for students to learn to read by reading
- an opportunity for students to be metacognitive, reflecting on what they’ve read and how they’ve deepened understanding
Purpose
The purpose of authentic independent reading is to create lengthy reading experiences that engage readers with text of their choice and interest so they become readers by reading.
Growing Readers
Teachers differentiate instruction and monitor and assess students’ reading through small group and conferring sessions
Choice
“Every child needs to read something he or she chooses. ‘The research base on student-selected reading is robust and conclusive. Students read more, understand more, and are more likely to continue reading when they have the opportunity to choose what they read.’ ” (Allington and Gabriel 2010)
The Link Between Minutes Read and Test Scores
(Anderson, Wilson, and Fielding, 1988) and then substantiated by numerous other researchers shared insight to the impact of independent reading and test scores.