In the Common Core era, students are challenged to read complex texts to build content knowl-edge, literacy skills, and academic vocabulary. Each EL Education ELA module for Grades 3–5 includes one or more “central” texts—complex texts that students work with in class and for homework, with support from the teacher and peers. It is important that all students have ac-cess to, and support with, reading text at the appropriate level of complexity for their grade level.

However, students also need a “volume of reading,” which means just what it sounds like it means: any ways to get students reading a lot of text (including text beyond those central to a module and in addition to those that students read during school hours or with support). This volume of reading helps students build important world knowledge and acquire additional  vocabulary, both of which are critical for reading comprehension and essential to the ability to read complex text “independently and proficiently”.

To read more about the importance of a volume of reading, please download the document.