Scholastic Reading Hub | Teaching Reading | Reading for Pleasure
Reading for Pleasure
What is it?
There are a number of different definitions for reading for pleasure, reading for enjoyment or independent reading. The National Literacy Trust defined it as “reading that we do of our own free will, anticipating the satisfaction that we will get from the act of reading. It also refers to reading that having begun at someone else’s request we continue because we are interested in it” (Clark and Rumbold, National Literacy Trust, 2006).
Independent reading can be both reading for pleasure and also reading for information.
Book selection is critical to independent reading. To ensure the best chance of success, teachers need to be aware of the:- reading ability of the child,
- reading interest of the child and
- the text complexity of books being recommended.
It is also important that teachers have a source of good information about the latest children’s books.
Independent reading is not a replacement for instructional reading strategies, such as guided reading etc.
Avid, voluminous reading (Atwell, 2007) is the most reliable path to the development of proficient readers; indeed, there’s no other way to become a proficient reader.
What does the research show?
“The amount and frequency with which one reads,…has profound implications for the development of a wide variety of cognitive capabilities, including verbal ability and general knowledge.” Cunningham & Zibulsky, Book Smart: How to Develop and Support Successful, Motivated Readers
Reading builds a cognitive processing infrastructure that then “massively influences” every aspect of our thinking, particularly our crystallized intelligence—a person’s depth and breadth of general knowledge, vocabulary, and the ability to reason using words and numbers (Stanovich, 2003).
“Omnivorous reading in childhood and adolescence correlates positively with ultimate adult success” (Simonton, 1988).
Multiple studies have shown that avid readers demonstrate both superior literacy development and wide-ranging knowledge across a variety of subjects (Allington, 2012; Hiebert & Reutzel, 2010; Sullivan & Brown, 2013).
Children who are given time for independent reading at school are more likely than those who are not to be reading currently and frequently, more likely to say reading books for fun is important, and more likely to enjoy reading. (Scholastic UK Kids & Family Reading Report, 2015, P43)
How Scholastic can help
Understanding and resourcing reading in your school can be confusing. We’re here to help with reliable, trusted advice on the best resources for KS1 and KS2. Request a chat with our Educational Sales Consultants by emailing us or take a look here
Scholastic Reading Pro
Scholastic Reading Pro (SRP) combines assessment and reading motivation to raise reading standards at pupil, class and whole school level. Bringing together carefully levelled children’s books with a computer-adaptive test to measure a child’s reading level, SRP engages readers with personalised book recommendations and thousands of quizzes to monitor and assess independent reading.
Pie Corbett’s Independent Reading Packs
Discover bold and fresh fiction from today’s leading authors and illustrators with the latest reading for pleasure recommendations from Pie Corbett. Each pack contains gripping stories from the genres children love most, perfect for reluctant readers and book-lovers alike.
Scholastic Book Clubs
A Scholastic Book Club great way to promote reading for pleasure all year round, giving every child regular access to the very latest children’s books. In class or online, it’s easier than ever for children to find the right book for them.
Every half term Scholastic Book Clubs brings children, teachers and parents together to choose what to read from our pick of the best children’s books.