Sometimes it feels like silent reading is a waste of time. You don't really know who is reading and if they are getting anything out of it. Use comprehension cards with your students while they are silent reading, go around the room and pull out a card and ask a question. 4 levels included: way below level, slightly below, on level, and above. Also non-fiction and fiction questions. Color coded to make it easy for you to find what you need. During your D.E.A.R time have book interviews these cards give a jumping off point of questions to ask about their books. Use during a read aloud to have random meaningful questions.