Why Every Minute of Reading Matters
When it comes to silent reading, volume matters. Even ten additional minutes for silent reading per day can shape whether students develop the automatic, flexible reading skills they need for lifelong learning.
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Getting Back to the Page & Staying There
Reading is all about knowledge; it’s not just for practice. Students need the chance to read books and articles clustered around worthwhile content—topics like amazing creatures in the ocean and stories of kids who have done courageous things.
Building Background Knowledge and Reading Proficiency: One Article at a Time
Reading comprehension depends heavily on background knowledge, yet many students lack exposure to diverse topics found in complex texts.
Article-A-Day addresses this gap through daily reading of topically-connected informational articles across subjects like science, social studies, and arts. Students
follow a simple routine: select an article, read independently, record key learnings, and briefly share insights with peers. This approach systematically builds three essential
literacy foundations—extensive background knowledge, reading stamina, and deeper comprehension.
Scaffolding Complex Text: Volume of Text Matters
This eye-opening analysis reveals how
shorter texts actually widen the achievement gap by limiting vocabulary exposure. Discover why volume of text—not difficulty level—is the real key to building proficient readers who can tackle complex texts.
What’s silent reading got to do with it?
Opportunities for self-selected silent reading are essential. If primary-level students only read aloud during instruction, it is doubtful that their reading rate and comprehension in silent reading will progress at the level required to be proficient.