When you are reading independently, you should always be using these reading strategies:
Predicting
Questioning
Making Connections
Making Inferences
Visualizing
Summarizing
Synthesizing
We are also working on some HOTS as we read (Higher Order Thinking Skills), as we are evaluating, analyzing, applying, & creating.
I encourage you to READ, READ, READ as much as possible on your own. This helps to increase fluency, vocabulary, comprehension.....etc.
The more you read, the more you know....and the more you know, the smarter you grow! :)