D.E.A.R., or Drop Everything And Read, is a time set aside each day where students quietly read for 15 minutes.  I have also heard it called S.S.R., or Silent Sustained Reading. 
    It is very important to allow time for students to read, because home environments cannot always be taken for granted as good reading environments.  There also might not be an opportune time to read at home, with many students often participating in extra-curricular activities.
DEAR and SSR is also a good way for teachers to model their reading habits.  The teacher should have a novel or some form of book in class so students see that they too set aside time each day to read as well.
    Although it might seem like a great time to assess what students are reading, it is suggested to just let them read.  Always assessing them takes the fun out of reading.  DEAR and SSR should be fun, so, to the discretion of the teacher, novelty books like comic books, trivia books (Ripley's, etc.), almanacs, and so on, can all be considered as reading material.