3 ways we could improve SSR

After lunch all the Middle school students race to their lockers to grab their SSR books. Everyone rushes to their classroom to read. Once all the students have settled down at their desks they open their books. When the windows are open you can hear the birds outside. The teachers usually sit at their desks typing away while some students read and others just stare at the words. Sometimes you can hear paper crinkle as students try to draw or pass notes to each other.  

SSR is supposed to be a time to fall in love with books, but “Most people don’t even read” explained one 7th-grade student. Some students enjoy reading at home, but when they are obligated to sit still and read after lunch they can’t concentrate. Other students don’t read at home, making SSR the only time when they try to enjoy a book. Sometimes students find it hard to sit still and read right after their lunch break. Many students feel obligated to read when they don’t want to. “it's hard to enjoy some great books” explained one ZIS student

“Any kind of reading when kids are choosing their own book is beneficial”

-Middle school teacher

How long should SSR be?

Other students and teachers think “Any kind of reading especially when kids are choosing their own book is beneficial.” said one middle school teacher. Reading is a very important skill and having a designated time for both students and sometimes teachers to read is helping to encourage it. By making SSR longer students could sit down, relax ,and enjoy their books, but for some even 10 minutes of sitting still and not talking is unbearable. A lot of students agree that it is very difficult to read in 10 minutes. One of the many questions regarding SSR is, how do we get students to sit down and read?

Everyone should read

During SSR some teachers read, but not all. Many say that to promote SSR everyone should be reading. Many ZIS students think “SSR should be for faculty, so when we read we all read” said a ZIS staff member. Teachers should read when students are reading to help set an example for their students. When you are reading in a room with a teacher who is writing an email or grading a test it’s harder to build a distraction-free space. 

Should SSR be after lunch?

Another question regarding SSR is if it’s best to have it after lunch. Some think that it takes too much time for students to quiet down after lunch. students aren’t benefiting from the ten minutes of reading time they are given. Others think that having SSR after lunch helps students transition from the craziness on the playground to a calm classroom. On one hand it does help students to settle down, but by moving it students would benefit more from this opportunity. 

SSR is a great idea! With a little tweaking hopefully more students could start reading and finding it enjoyable. There are a lot of things we could change about SSR, but after all it is allowing students to build a great relationship with books and relax.