Silent Sustained Reading: How to Make It Work

What if you could easily add more reading to your classroom to support language acquisition and cultural competence without overwhelming yourself with extra work? Research shows that reading is one of the most effective ways for students to grow in proficiency. So, how can we make time for it in our busy classes?

In episode 124 of Growing with Proficiency The Podcast, we dive deep into Silent Sustained Reading (SSR)—a simple, yet powerful strategy to boost your students’ reading skills. In episode 124, you’ll learn how SSR works, why it’s so effective, and how to make it work for you and your students. I also share tips for building a library on a budget, keeping students accountable, and creating a routine that gets results. Listen above or here. Find the highlights of this episode in this post.

And don’t miss our new segment, “The Tool or Activity of the Week,” sponsored by Growing With Proficiency – The Spanish Teacher Academy! Read more at the end of this post.

What is Silent Sustained Reading (SSR)?

Silent Sustained Reading involves students reading at their level for a set period of time for pleasure. Struggling students find a sense of competency and motivation through SSR. The ultimate goal of SSR is enjoyment, which leads to better engagement with the language and other academic benefits.

Building a Library on a Budget

SSR can have its challenges. One challenge is creating a library for silent sustained reading. First, I suggest asking the PTA for funds, using DonorsChoose, and looking for mini-grants from local language associations. I’ve included the link to DonorsChoose below.

It’s important to have a diverse library to engage students with different interests and levels. One method of creating a library is by illustrating and compiling student-created stories. In episode 124, I share my method of creating a library for SSR.

How to Make SSR Work for You

For heritage speakers, I set up my library with tables for different levels and authentic books. I also talk about the books with students to create excitement and expectation. 

I encourage you to try different approaches and adapt the activity to fit your specific classroom needs. If it doesn’t quite work the way you want it to at first, celebrate the small wins and the overall positive impact of the activity on students.

Keeping Students Accountable

It’s important to have a clear structure and expectations for SSR to minimize disruptions. In episode 124, I outline the logistics of starting the activity, including students picking up books and starting to read immediately. Listen above or here for details.

Make sure to have a reading log to keep students accountable and provide evidence of their progress. One idea to make the reading log more engaging and memorable is to create a choice board with various activities. I like to give students stickers for finishing books and celebrating their achievements. I have received a lot of positive feedback from students about the activity.

Translation Race

This week’s “Tool or Activity of the Week”—a fun and competitive game that encourages translation practice and gets students involved while adding a little luck to the mix, sponsored by Growing With Proficiency – The Spanish Teacher Academy, is Translation Race learned from Nelly Andrade—a fun and interactive way for students to listen to sentences, comprehend, and translate in groups.