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The Magic of Sustained Silent Reading

Do you have an uninterrupted SSR time in your day? This year was the first year that I had a carved out time of 30 minutes in the schedule specially designated for SSR. At first I thought, “30 minutes for first graders? That’s impossible!” However, I quickly came to realize that not only was that time necessary, but it was also extremely beneficial for my students. The best part about it though was how much my students grew and LOVED it! This year I had more growth in reading than ever before. It is my belief that this designated SSR time had one of the biggest impacts on their growth.

One of the most important things to having a successful SSR time is having a strategy to build stamina from the very beginning. I usually use the first week of school to get to know one another and begin to set up of the shell of what our schedule will look like for the year. But during the second week of school, I begin right away with SSR. I always create an anchor chart as a visual for students to see their progress.. And of course they love it! Below you’ll see an example of the anchor chart I created last year.

building reading stamina with primary students

Alright so if you have your anchor chart, you’re ready to begin! During a class meeting, I explain in detail exactly what this time is and why we have it. We sit and discuss what it looks like and sounds like during SSR time. I have them do most of the talking and help guide them when needed. We discuss how it is not a time to get up from seats, go to the bathroom, get new books, or discuss with friends. As far as reading materials for this time, students get 5 new books from the library each Monday morning. They keep these same books for the entire week and can read this during SSR. This is in addition to their books from their guided reading group. Setting expectations for what this time looks like and being prepared with materials in an organized way is so important in setting the foundation for this time.

Sustained Silent Reading Blog Post

Once expectations are set, being consistent and upholding those expectations are key. I have a strategy to show students how serious I am about building our reading stamina. I set a timer for them to see, review expectations again before beginning, and ALWAYS stop the timer and reset if ANYONE is off task. This shows students that this time is serious and important and it is up to the entire class to be successful during SSR. For example, let’s say we’re trying to meet our goal of reading for 5 minutes for the day without stopping. During this time, Jimmy keeps looking up at the timer or aimlessly around the room. Well at this point, I stop the timer and we discuss again what it looks like during that time and reset. Some days you’ll have to reset the timer 5 times. Some days maybe you won’t even get to 5 minutes but I promise it is so worth it in the end when you finally make it to your goal whether it be 15 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes, or longer! When you look around and see every single child engaged in their books and excited about reading, it’s worth it all the stops and resets.

Another key factor in developing a successful SSR time is motivation and constant reminding of expectations. One way I like to motivate students during this time, especially at the beginning, is by taking pictures of students who are doing a phenomenal job. I find that when using pictures of themselves as a model, students put forth more effort to keep up that example. I put their pictures on the anchor chart we’ve created together and we review the chart EACH time before we begin SSR. The consistency of the review I believe is also a crucial part of students really developing this discipline.

read to self teaching ideas

This year, I embarked on a flexible seating journey, which changed a lot in our classroom and SSR was one of them. With the various seating options we obviously had a lot of expectations around treating their seats which transferred over to SSR time. However, I always let them choose how they want read. If you think about how we work, relax, or read as adults, we’re not always sitting in a chair or at a desk. We might be on the floor, a couch or even laying down- whatever is comfortable for us. Well shouldn’t we allow the same thing for our students? I think the choice of what comfortable reading is for my student was part of the reason SSR was so successful in our classroom this year. I used to be the teacher that said they couldn’t lay down or they had to sit in a seat and when I reflected I kept asking myself “but why?” You can take a look at some of the ways my students were most comfortable reading their books!

using flexible seating with primary students

using flexible seating to boost engagement

using flexible seating with primary students

Now even with all these expectations, choices and repetition, does that mean that our time always goes perfect? Absolutely not. They are first graders! But majority of the time, it’s magical! Here is a clip of my students towards the end of the year during SSR. I was just sitting there looking around and couldn’t help but record the magic of them all reading and engaged in text. We had SSR everyday up until the second to last day of school. They BEGGED for it. It was because of the importance that I helped establish in the classroom and you can foster this engagement too! Of course this doesn’t happen overnight, especially in the younger grades. This take weeks of hard work and maybe even longer depending on your group of kiddos. It took us about 2 months to successfully read for 20 minutes everyday. But by the end of the year, students were reading for 30 minutes everyday. Always engaged just like in that clip. If you do these things right from the beginning, I promise you’ll see the magic of SSR too.

building reading stamina anchor chart

I hope you enjoyed learning about how the magic of SSR!  Don’t forget to subscribe to my email list! Not only will you get the most up to date tips, tricks, and classroom projects… and of course more fun FREEBIES including the Reading Stamina FREEBIE! But you will also have exclusive access to tons of digital how to videos! If you would like to learn about this and other things happening in my classroom follow me  @sweetnsauerfirsties on Instagram.

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A fun place to be apart of the educational journey. Full of all things teaching! The good, the bad, and even the ugly. Join my experiences and subscribe to my email list to get the most up to date tips and tricks.

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Hello Anger is by @jessicasinarski and discusses how to deal with that overwhelming feeling of anger. 😡 

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Which type are you?! I’m like a good mix of bo Which type are you?! 

I’m like a good mix of both! 🤣 Let us know which one you are below! ⬇️

Learn 5 easy end of the year organization tips too!
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It’s time for #tptfreebie Friday! This week I It’s time for #tptfreebie Friday! 

This week I have an EXCLUSIVE End of the Year Organizational Checklist FREEBIE! 🎉

This checklist can help you pack up your classroom whether you are getting stuff stored, moving classrooms, or even... moving schools! 😬

There’s also a blank version for you to add your own to-do items! Grab yours now! 📦 
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How adorable is this end of the year treat from @s How adorable is this end of the year treat from @sunshineandrainbowsinteaching?! 

Check out her page to learn how to make these delicious snacks! 😋 
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If this ain’t the truth! 😂 What’s your go If this ain’t the truth! 😂

What’s your go to candy? Mine is Reese’s for sure!

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One of my favorite books to end the year together. One of my favorite books to end the year together. *Warning* I cry reading it EVERY year! 😭

When is your last day?

Check out my end of the year blog post for more fun ways to end the school year together! 🥳
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Now what if you’re a teacher AND a parent? 😵‍💫
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Still looking for an end of the year gift for your Still looking for an end of the year gift for your students?

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Have you ever let your students help you clean up Have you ever let your students help you clean up the room at the end of the year?

When we begin to take down the things on the walls, one of the things to go is our word/sound wall. 

Well who says this can’t turn into a game? When you take down all the important words from the year together, put them in a circle and have a word/sound hunt for them. 

The kids LOVE it and are so engaged. Bonus… an area of your room is cleared too!! 😉

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Have you seen this brand new book?! Hello Anger is by @jessicasinarski and discusses how to deal with that overwhelming feeling of anger. 😡 This amazing book helps children understand how to better control their anger and learn strategies to manage it. You can W*I*N your own copy now! Entering is easy!1️⃣ Make sure you’re following me 2️⃣ Make sure you’re following @nationalcenterforyouthissues 3️⃣ Tag some friends who would love to win too!✨ BONUS: Share this to your stories and make sure to tag me! ✨I will choose 2 LUCKY WINNERS Sunday evening! ❤️••••#elementaryteacher #teaching #classroom #teachingideas #classroomideas #education #handsonlearning #teachertribe #teacher #teachers#teacherlife #teacherproblems #firstgrade #firstgradeteacher #teachersfollowteachers #teachersofinstagram #teachersofig #iteach #iteachfirst #iteachtoo #igconnect4edu #growthmindset #teacherspayteachers #weareteachers #socialemotionaldevelopment #socialemotionallearning #socialskills #childrensbooks #readaloud #nationalcenterforyouthissues ... See MoreSee Less

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Which type are you?! I’m like a good mix of both! 🤣 Let us know which one you are below! ⬇️Learn 5 easy end of the year organization tips too!{🔗 on profile}••••#elementaryteacher #teaching #classroom #teachingideas #classroomideas #education #handsonlearning #teachertribe #teacher #teachers#teacherlife #teacherproblems #firstgrade #firstgradeteacher #teachersfollowteachers #teachersofinstagram #teachersofig #iteach #iteachfirst #iteachtoo #igconnect4edu #classroomdecor #teacherspayteachers #weareteachers #teachergram #primaryteacher #teacherquotes #teacherorganization #classroomorganization #teacherfun ... See MoreSee Less

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  • Are you looking for some classroom organization ideas that you can use for the end of the school year? Check out these 5 easy time saving tips for teachers on how to organize your classroom. Read everything from my ideas for teacher decluttering, how to have students help you organize your classroom, and use my end of the year checklist to help you remember what to bring home for the summer. These organizing tips will help with packing up your classroom so you can leave for summer and relax.
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  • Back to school is right around the corner! As a busy teacher, you are probably feeling overwhelmed with your long back to school to-do list! Today, I am sharing how you can crush the first week of school. I am sharing back to school activities for building a strong classroom community including getting to know you activities. I also also a back to school survival guide and back to school read alouds. Find first week lesson plans and more!
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  • Are you working on putting together your classroom library? This blog post will give you some classroom tips and tricks for classroom library organization. You will want to start by book leveling to have an organized system for students to access books. After books are leveled, I love to organize books by genre in my elementary classroom. I even link to the editable classroom library labels I use. These classroom organization tips will help you see reading growth with your elementary students.

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