According to Fountas and Pinnell, Independent Reading is a time for students to select texts and actively and closely read this text individually, as well as responding to the text. The books are chosen by students based off of mini-lessons given by the teacher, recommendations from students and teachers, and student interests. The teacher’s role in Independent Reading is to plan and give mini-lessons on how to choose books and different genres, circulate and confer with students, and record data and make notes about students. This way students know how to pick “just right” texts that will keep them interested and wanting to read. Bev Gallagher uses the three-page rule. This means that students have to be able to read and comprehend what is happening in a book for three pages before abandoning. The student’s role is to select books that interest them and closely read independently. They also are responsible for responding to the text, whether it be in their readers notebooks or on post-it notes.
"" Donalyn Miller
"" Donalyn Miller