Foster Independence & Ownership
Have students apply what they’ve practiced in class—on their own
Elevate Student Thinking
Give students strategies to develop stronger, more sophisticated ideas
Grow Stamina & Engagement Over Time
Rebuild focus and stamina in a world full of distractions
Why Independent Reading Falls Short (and How to Fix It)
Independent reading can be a powerful part of a classroom—and it’s also one of the easiest to get wrong. Too often, it becomes time to sit quietly, flip pages, or “just read” without clear purpose, structure, or growth. Outcomes can range from real growth and independence, to very little progress, to students avoiding reading altogether. The difference comes down to how independent reading is structured. This course shows you how to make independent reading actually work—so students apply what they’ve practiced in class, develop stronger ideas, and build the focus to read for longer stretches. The goal is simple: real growth—and students who see themselves as readers.
Course at a Glance
Short, focused professional learning designed to fit real school schedules. ✓ Built around application: help students independently apply what they’ve learned in class. ✓ One 50-minute session: built for planning periods and PLCs. ✓ Self-paced and asynchronous: move through the course on your own schedule. ✓ Practical and classroom-ready: leave with routines and tools for building stronger thinking, stamina, and independence. ✓ Lifetime access: return to the sessions, tools, and resources whenever you need them. ✓ For educators in grades 3–12: adapt the routines and tools to the readers, texts, and curriculum you already teach. ✓ Earn a certificate: complete the course and receive confirmation of your professional-development hours. ✓ Captions available: turn them on for any course video.
Meet Your Instructor
I’ve spent my career working with students and teachers to make reading instruction actually work—especially for students who find it difficult. I’ve taught across grade levels, from elementary through high school, and have seen how these challenges show up in different ways at each stage. In my own classroom, this approach led to some of the strongest reading growth in the city—and a culture where students genuinely saw themselves as readers. That work even drew national attention, with my class selected to appear on the final episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show for the reading culture we built together. Since then, I’ve continued teaching while also working with schools and educators across the country and internationally, helping teachers solve a common challenge: how to create reading experiences where students grow, stay engaged, and apply what they’ve learned on their own. This approach to independent reading comes directly from this work. Together, we can make it a space where all students grow—and see themselves as readers.
Course Curriculum
-
-
Before You Begin: Your Session Map Free preview
-
(Included in full purchase)
The Role of Independent Reading
-
(Included in full purchase)
The Role of IR Reflection (2-3 Minutes)
-
(Included in full purchase)
Making Independent Reading Work
-
(Included in full purchase)
Making Independent Reading Work - Practice (3-5 Minutes)
-
(Included in full purchase)
Growing Independent Reading Across the Year
-
(Included in full purchase)
Reflect & Plan: Growing Independent Reading Across the Year (7–8 Minutes)
-
Take It to Your Classroom Free preview
-
Student Success Stories
Discover how this course has transformed teachers' approaches to independent reading, leading to enhanced student engagement and reading growth.
Gerrit is one of the strongest reading practitioners and coaches I know. He was instrumental in setting up programming at our school and set a high bar for rigor. As a teacher, I also saw him build the best reading culture I have ever seen.
Chicago, IL
The world is going to be alright if Mr. Jones-Rooy is still a teacher.
New Orleans, LA
Gerrit has a rare ability to help students fall in love with reading, particularly those who struggle or lack confidence. His use of purposeful routines led to exceptional reading growth, and his impact extended far beyond his classroom through his work supporting and developing other reading teachers
New Orleans, LA
I trusted him immediately when I saw how he worked with our students.
Oakland, CA
Gerrit’s work helping to grow kids’ identities as readers and writers changed the trajectory of my teaching and the identities of my students. When Gerrit teaches them how to think like a reader, he makes texts—even ones above their reading level—more accessible and more fun. There’s no better gift for teachers and students
New Orleans, LA
Ready to Make Independent Reading Work?
Build an independent reading routine that gives students meaningful opportunities to practice, apply, and strengthen the reading skills you're already teaching.
$29.00