Sustained Silent Reading

“Reading is the key that opens doors to many good things in life. Reading shaped my dreams, and more reading helped me make my dreams come true.” -Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Sustained Silent Reading (SSR) is a dedicated, daily 45-minute block for independent pleasure reading during which our reading muscles strengthen along with the OSS culture of literacy. The more we practice and enjoy reading, the better we read. 

Why do we practice SSR?
Research overwhelmingly supports consistent time for students to read at school and shows that it leads to improvement in comprehension, better attitudes towards reading, better vocabulary, better writing skills, better spelling, greater knowledge of literature, science and other background knowledge (Krashen 1993). 

Other Pay-offs from SSR:
SSR provides our community with a “soft landing” transition after lunch and before afternoon classes and activities. Our students need some quiet time built in their extended day. It also supports our core values of Community and Excellence. We share the experience and joy of reading together, talk about our reading, make book recommendations, and see peers and at least one adult positively engaged in the reading process. We help each other develop stronger reading stamina and become more literate people.

OSS network members find audio book here. (Login in with school email address.)