Rationale: Learning to read silently is an important to step in becoming a fluent reader. Reading silently increases voluntary reading, fluency, and comprehension. Since silent reading is an important goal for all children to understand why silent reading is important and what strategies are used. In this lesson I will explain the steps students need to take in order to grasp reading silently.  They will choose decodable books of their choice from the library as long as it passes the two-finger test.

Materials:  A second grade level book such as The Rainbow Fish, paper, pencil, Checklist: Is the student reading outloud? Whispering? Moving lips? Reading silently without moving lips?

Procedure:
1. äHave you ever been to the library and the librarian asked you to be quiet? Does anyone know why it is important to be quiet in the library? Well, it is important to be quiet because students are trying to read silently and it is hard to read when others are talking. Today we are going to try reading while half of the class is talking. Could you comprehend what the story was saying? That is why it is important we learn to read silently.ä
2. ãToday, we are going to the library and everyone will get time to choose a book on their reading level.ä I will do about 5 book talks on some good books on their reading level. For example, ãRainbow is a beautiful fish with colorful and shiny fins one day he has to make a decision to give up his fins and have friends or keep his beautiful fins. To find out what happens, read the book.ä ãMake sure you have read a few pages from the book first before deciding if you like it.  Donât just rely on the pictures.ä After the children have chosen a book they must come to me and complete the ãtwo finger test.ä The ãtwo finger testä is when the child reads one page and if they miss more then two words then it is not on their level.  When everyone has chosen a book we will return to the classroom.
3. ãLearning to read silently can be very fun. First of all does everyone remember how we whisper? Good, but now we are going to be even quieter than a whisper. We are going to only move our lips when we say the words. Letâs practice by reading two pages of our book. After we have just moved our lips now it is time to read without talking or moving our lips. Since everyone has followed directions we can began practice reading silently. When you read, I want everyone to read their books without moving their lips or making any sounds.  Everyone watch while I read silently without moving my lips.  Now, everyone begin reading his or her books silently.ä  Allow students to read silently at their desks for about 15-20 minutes.

Assessment: While the students are reading silently, walk around and observe them using the checklist. The students are to give a brief summary of their book on a piece of paper.

References:
Dana Davis, Words in my Head at: http://www.auburn.edu/rdggenie/insights/ddavisgf.html
Bliss Ramesy, Read It In Your Head at: http://www.auburn.edu/rdggenie/elucid/ramseygf.html
Jenn Kanute, Quiet Please! at: http://www.auburn.edu/rdggenie/elucid/kanutegf.html
 
 

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