Free, Voluntary Reading in the WL classroom
NILA 2018 Janet Eckerson
"Free voluntary reading may be the most powerful tool we have in language education"
-Stephen Krashen
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What is it?
FVR, SSR or Extensive Reading has three characteristics:
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¡Hola!
I've been using FVR in courses for heritage learners and AP for years - now I'm preparing to expand into lower levels
What brings you here today?
Our goals:
Plan preliminary steps towards implementing FVR in ours classrooms.
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What the research says:
It's better than …..
Or at least as good as direct literacy instruction, vocabulary instruction, drill and practice, and guided group reading.
L1, L2, HLL
It's equally effective for all readers (beyond the very beginner)- young, old, first, language, second language learners.
Read more, know and do more
FVR makes students better readers, but also better writers, with bigger vocabularies that know more grammar.
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http://www-bcf.usc.edu/~genzuk/Free_Voluntary_Reading-Krashen/FVReading3-Krashen.pdf
https://kidworldcitizen.org/the-role-of-reading-in-language-classrooms/
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This would never work for me because………
Think of 5 reasons why.
Design factors for successful FVR
Janice Pilgreen, The SSR Handbook
1. Access
2. Appeal
3. Environment
4. Encouragement
5. Staff training
6. Non-accountability
7. Follow-up activities
8. Distributed time to read
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1.
Access
Large number of readily available reading materials at appropriate levels
Ratio of 3:1 to 10:1
Classroom library
So many authors and ideas are available now
2.
Appeal
Books students WANT to read
And CAN read
Confession: I used to be a book snob. I've gotten over it, mostly.
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Credit:
Marcos Benevides
3.
Environment
Silent, comfortable, protected, feel good....
Set up uninterrupted, silent reading time, set a timer, hang a do-not disturb sign
If you have flexible seating: Now is the time to use it.
4.
Encouragement
Teacher reads, students and teachers talk about books
Model engaged reading - Bring guest speakers - Write to authors
Peer - to - peer encouragement
Recommendations:
READ posters
Sell it
Tell your elbow partner about the last book you read like it's the best thing that's ever happened to you...
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5.
Staff training
Read-up; think, plan and anticipate challenges
Read, Think, Plan
6.
Non-
accountability
No questions, no reports, no journals, no grade
"The very knowledge that they have to do something other than reading what they choose takes away the magic"
-Janice Pilgreen
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7.
Follow-up activities
What naturally happens after you read a good book….
Not evaluative, interactive or creative
Interact with others who've read the same book.
Express your opinion about the book, connect to the theme.
8.
Distributed time to read
Consistent and frequent
At least twice per week.
Enough time to "get into" the book - 15 minutes?
Create a habit - protect the time.
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Overcoming
obstacles,
by anticipating them.
The big ones…...
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first
last
second
Getting started…….
Study up
Familiarize yourself with basic SSR research - Krashen is a good place to start
- build your resolve
Get ideas
So much to love in the blogosphere and pinterest around FVR these days
- don't reinvent the wheel
Find books
Cheap readers, Better World Books, Libraries, book sales, magazines, children's books…
- build the collection slowly
Read books
Knowing the books in your library helps you recommend titles experly and to sell books to readers.
Organize
Put some thought into the arrangement and display of your materials and where to locate your distributed reading time.
Prep
Rehearse your roll-out, prepare to explain to students your routines, procedures and rationale.
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¡Gracias!
Janet Eckerson
Lincoln Public Schools
jeckers@lps.org
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