Today I read some really very interesting articles about recreational reading. Krashen (2011) lays out the results of a variety of studies that, taken together, indicate that regular sustained, silent reading (SSR) results in better vocabulary, spelling, comprehension, writing, test performance, general knowledge and increased reading outside of the classroom. Fisher & Frey (2018) point out the advantages that are to be had from increasing the volume of reading students engage in outside of school They suggest that access to books – which should ideally be on a 7 books/student ratio in the classroom and 20/student in the school library – is not sufficient on its own to increase reading volume and must be backed up with teaching choosing strategies and book recommendations from people close to the students – teachers, peers, parents etc. They discuss two strategies I had not been able to articulate previously:

• Golden lines – students share the best line from what they are reading at the moment
• Blessed books – teachers share a short recommendation multiple times per week, including title, plot summary, character descriptions and general thoughts on the book, then place the book front facing on a special shelf. Students are invited to contribute to the blessed books also. I think these strategies could translate to the school library program well. Students could write brief recommendations for books, placing them in pride of place.

Fisher and Frey (2018) also describe the use of mini book clubs for students reading the same text by choice. I think this could be used in library lessons by having pairs of students work together to select books for the other to read, ones that they themselves have read  (or we have multiple copies so they can read it together) in the hope of prompting discussion about what they are reading.

Fisher, D., & Frey, N. (2018). Raise reading volume through access, choice, discussion, and book talks. The Reading Teacher. 72 (1) 89–97

Krashen, Stephen D. (2011). Free voluntary reading. ABC-CLIO, LLC.