Ms J. CowleyEnglish 8-12NAME:

Silent Reading

Silent reading is an essential part of the English Language Arts curriculum at Burnaby North. All students in English 8-12 are expected to actively participate in silent reading.

The purposes of silent reading are:

  • To encourage students to read for pleasure
  • To encourage students to make reading a regular part of their routines
  • To encourage students to develop a lifelong love and habit of reading
  • To encourage students to explore a wide variety of genres in both fiction and non-fiction
  • To encourage students to deepen their understanding of literature by applying the knowledge they learn in class about elements of fiction and non-fiction to their reading selections

Expectations:

  • Students are expected to bring appropriate reading material to every English class during the year.
  • Appropriate reading material is any English, school-appropriate, long-form or short-form, fiction or non-fiction material (except textbooks or online resources). A novel, a book of non-fiction (such as an autobiography, biography), a book of poetry, newspaper, magazine, ebook, graphic novel are all good choices.
  • Textbooks & online resources (e.g. Tumblr, Facebook) are not appropriate silent reading materials; please study and socialise on your own time.
  • Students may read on an electronic device provided it is a locally stored file (save data use for outside of class); they must be prepared to show the teacher what they are reading if questioned.
  • Students may ‘read’ an audiobook on their device with special permission.
  • Students may read their self-selected Independent Reading Book during silent reading or read something else of their choice.
  • Students will be ready to start reading immediately when the bell rings to start class.
  • Silent Reading time is silent. Music is not permitted. You must learn to self-regulate your need for noise and appreciate the small moment of silence in your day.
  • Students will stop reading when silent reading time ends and focus on the class activities.

Evaluation

  • Silent Reading is not assessed explicitly. It is expected that the reading and self-regulation skills practiced during silent reading will result in improvements in other course work.
  • Students who repeatedly disrupt the silence, or fail to bring their own reading material to class will be required to make up the silent reading time outside of class time.

Adapted from a document by M. Hardjowasito Fall 2014