The Being a Reader program includes Individualized Daily Reading (IDR) time as a way to provide students with sufficient time to read independently and to employ the comprehension strategies they have learned in whole-class instruction. During IDR students can participate in three different activities (independent reading with conferring, small-group reading, and student-led book clubs) as their reading and social skills develop or as needs are identified.
Conferring is key in maximizing the benefits of independent reading and is a powerful practice to establishing in the classroom. Regular conferences enable the teacher to determine whether and how their students are applying what they are learning in whole-class comprehension lessons to their independent reading.
In Being a Reader, Second Edition we lay out the foundations for conferring and provide resources that support the teacher along the way. The IDR conferences are set up to be asset-based, which includes:
- Supporting the teacher with listening for what students are already doing as readers instead of what they’re not doing
- Empowering students to set their own reading goals and take a leading role in their conferences.