What is the main benefit of silent reading in the classroom?

Silent reading in the classroom primarily enhances fluency and fosters a love for reading. When students read silently, they have the opportunity to engage with texts at their own pace, which allows them to practice their reading skills without the pressure of public performance. This practice can lead to improved reading fluency as students build confidence and become more comfortable with word recognition and comprehension. Furthermore, allowing students the time to read silently helps them discover a variety of genres and subjects, which can ignite a passion for reading. As they get lost in books they enjoy, their intrinsic motivation to read typically increases, creating lifelong readers who appreciate literature beyond classroom requirements.