When I student taught last semester, seniors were given 40 minutes a week to read a book of their own choosing.
They loved it.
I loved seeing them love to read.
It was the only time they were truly, peacefully quiet. The anxious hush that hovers over classes during tests is nowhere near as nice. Neither is the despondent, daydreaming quietude that enters a classroom full of teenagers who have been forced to spend too long on an arduous task. This was different. This was...perfect.
Gary Anderson wrote about his experience with something similar here.
This leaves me curious. Do you make time for "SSR" in your classes? Why or why not? How are students' reactions? What about other teachers? Is it worthwhile?
