Every minute counts during independent reading. Independent reading offers a chance for effective reading practice. It allows students to put into practice what they have learned, interact with related texts, improve their fluency and endurance, encounter new vocabulary and ideas, and, step by step, assume greater responsibility for their reading. Just because an opportunity exists doesn't mean that it will lead to successful outcomes. Just allocating some time for independe

DEAR time, or “Drop Everything and Read,” has been a familiar part of many literacy blocks for years. The idea behind it is sound: students need time during the school day to read independently. The question is not whether students should read independently. They absolutely should. The question is whether simply providing time to read is enough to improve reading achievement. Research offers mixed answers. Some studies point to benefits related to reading volume, motivation,