DALLAS — Whether it's 5 minutes or 20 minutes, time is carved out every day for students at Jesús Moroles Expressive Arts Vanguard to read.
The children get free reading time. They pick a book of choice from their classroom or library and they are given quiet time to enjoy it.
"Free reading time is, I think, essential to fostering a love for reading, or at least an appreciation for reading, which is my ultimate goal for all 600 of my kids," said Jesús Moroles Principal Marissa Tavallaee.
Fourth grade teacher Chandra Hanks embraces this time.
"It's important for [students] to choose books that they want to read, and they desire to read. And it encourages them to continue to read," Hanks said.
Hanks said he loves to see the books that her students pick week after week. She has a log for them to write down what they have read. Her goal is for each of her 22 students to read 25 to 30 books by the end of the school year.
Tavallaee started this initiative three years ago when she became the principal of Jesús Moroles. Since then, STAAR reading scores have increased. In addition, every grade at her school exceeds the district STAAR reading average in some way.
4th grade – 88% Approach (districtwide 73%)
5th grade – 80% Approach (districtwide 70%)
6th grade – 60% Meets (districtwide 44%)
7th grade – 75% Meets (districtwide 44%)
8th grade – 71% Meets (districtwide 48%)
"One of the greatest gifts that I can give to all of my students and teachers is the opportunity to read and the opportunity to explore different kinds of books," Tavallaee said.
She said she wants to inspire a love and appreciation for books and reading. With that, she believes the test scores will fall into place.
Free reading time is one of many ways Tavallaee encourages reading at her school. She also purchases one book for every student at the school so they can take home a book and call it their own. Tavallaee and her teachers are finding different ways to make reading a priority for their students.