Stamina, Stamina, Stamina

Stamina means that we focus on reading without becoming distracted and without distracting others. Being able to focus, stick with and read for long periods of time takes practice. As students begin reading chapter books, they need stamina to read longer text, maneuver through text and engage in material.

How do we build Reading stamina at Roberts?

During Reading and Language Arts blocks of instruction, teachers build in time for reading to self, reading to someone and listening to reading. During reading to self time, the younger students learn to read a book different ways. They can read the words, read the pictures and retell. Kindergarten and 1st Grade classrooms start with small blocks of time and track how long the class can stay engaged in reading to self. By May, most Kindergarten and 1st grade students are engaged in reading to themselves for close to 20 minute time periods without distractions. About the same amount of time is spent reading to someone and in listening to reading. The students enjoy the challenge of tracking how long they can stay focused on their reading.

Students usually become ready to read chapter books in 2nd or 3rd Grade. Reading to self and reading the words for longer periods of time become critical in building reading skills. It is important for students to pick one book and stick with it the whole time. We work with students on picking books that are just right for them before they begin reading. Sticking with a novel/chapter book until it is completed becomes increasingly important. When students continually switch chapter books, they never truly engage in the book. If a student is choosing books that are too long for them, we encourage starting with short chapter books and build from there.

4th and 5th Grade students build stamina by reading novels at their reading level. Our leveled library is a teacher resource that has a well stocked supply of novels that range in levels and genres. We continue to increase our selection and we are always on the look out for higher level books (X,Y, and Z) that are also age appropriate. It continues to be important for students to read a novel at least 30 minutes a night. Why not a magazine or non-fiction book? This is okay occasionally, but students become more deeply engaged in novels. Novels provide more opportunities to stay focused for long periods of time and therefore build stamina. You may want to find a genre, series or author that your student can connect with and build from there. Finding a place in the house where there are no distractions and having children read at a time of day when they will not fall asleep reading can be a difficult task. I have often found a nice quiet place in the house, established a quiet zone and read alongside my children. It ends up being a time when they ask what I am reading and they tell me about what they are reading which is a relaxed and built in comprehension check in. Every household and family finds a different way that works for them.