The article questions the increased use of highly structured instructional reading programs for hearing impaired students and suggests there is also a need for holistic approaches, such as the Adaptation of a Sustained Silent Reading approach to develop student skills and interests. (Author/DB)

Explains the use and benefits of silent, uninterrupted, sustained reading periods in elementary and middle grades. Indicates that the method not only improves reading and concentration skills, but allows the teacher to observe diagnostically the readers in his/her class. (DMM)

Presents a model of the constructs underlying silent reading comprehension. Defines the process as consisting of three whole-parts, each of which is a part of silent reading comprehension, yet is also a whole ability that itself consists of two or more parts. Presents a system of reading diagnosis in which construct-valid measures are administered…

Twenty-four deaf and 24 hearing children were asked to locate three target letters (c,g, and h) in prose. Target letters were either phonemically modal (pronounced, as g in badge) or nonmodal (silent, as g in rough). Hearing children, as expected, detected significantly more modal than nonmodal forms, while deaf children detected the same number…

Sustained silent reading programs have many names, but share similar guidelines. Students read for enjoyment for an uninterrupted time daily, choose their own books and whether to finish them, observe teachers modeling good reading habits, and are not required to take tests or write book reports on their reading. (9 references) (MLH)

Concludes that while Sustained Silent Reading (S.S.R.) may be an effective technique for teaching reading, the data which support it are inconclusive. (RB)

Teachers can encourage students to see reading as meaning-making in a number of ways. Context support methods begin by ensuring that the context is already familiar to students so that word recognition is made easier. Language experience approaches encourage children to learn to read by first reading what they have produced. Real books, as…

Presents some preliminary findings from a study on reading automaticity. The introduction of increased silent reading time in school is an essential component in helping students reach reading automaticity. (MD)

Concludes that when its guidelines are met, sustained silent reading seems to unite selected positive aspects of both direct and open instruction models into an effective activity. (FL)

The relevance of psycholinguistics to reading is based on the premise that reading is the act of constructing meaning, first, foremost, and always. (MKM)

Argues that, in addition to teaching reading skills, teachers need to schedule time for children to practice reading. Presents specific guidelines for implementing a Sustained Quiet Uninterrupted and Independent Reading Time (SQUIRT) program which include how to find time, set a purpose, and set procedures. (NH)

The study assessed the effects of reading mode (oral versus silent), production format (oral versus written), and structural importance of text on the reading comprehension of 44 learning-disabled males in grades three to eight. Analysis of variance on idea units recalled at four levels of thematic importance indicated a three-way interaction.…

Each clearly differentiated program of reading instruction is based on a selected psychological school of thought. Rather than emphasizing one traditional plan of teaching, the teacher needs to study and analyze the student's curricular achievement to see what fits into the learner's repertoire of skills and knowledge. The materials and methods of…

Suggests that the more effective sustained silent reading programs included eight common components: access to books, book appeal, comfortable environment, encouragement, staff training, non-accountability, follow-up activities, and distributed time to read. Discusses these eight components. Shares some of the many different kinds of questions…

Discusses the advantages and disadvantages of using oral or silent reading rates to evaluate reading ability. Argues that although there are potential problems with measuring reading rates, it can be a useful way of documenting students' progress. (MM)