Students should engage in extensive reading: the silent reading of large amounts of text. Students primarily do extensive reading out of the classroom for homework and occasionally do so for a short amount of time in class. Teachers decide how much students read: a specific quantity or a specific amount of time. Teachers also decide what is read: assigned class books, specific selections, guided student selection, and student free read. Finally, teachers decide how extensive reading is reported: reading quizzes, logs, book reviews, summaries, analyses, reflections, reports, and other interactive and comprehension-focused activities. In extensive reading, students strive to read as much as possible.
Here are some possible ways to encourage extensive reading both inside and outside of class:
Book Charts
Silent Sustained Reading
