A common, long-held belief of teachers and parents is that "the more you read, the better you read." Because many students either did not choose to read at home or did not have books at home, schools began to provide independent reading time in the classroom. As the years progressed, more and more requirements were added into English language arts instruction and curriculum. Teachers could no longer provide time for everything and anything, so crucial decisions were required about what to include in daily instruction. Some decisions are made at the district level, whereas others are made at the teacher level. Depending on the ages and stages of the students, decisions about "how" to spend time require careful thought. This brief presents the following: (1) Reading Stamina; (2) Vocabulary and Background Knowledge; (3) Reading Habits; and (4) The Teaching Side of Independent Reading.