The purpose of this study is to investigate grade differences in the effect of reading methods - "oral reading" "silent reading", "intensive reading", "extensive reading" "thorough reading", "selective reading" - influences on the self-directed learning ability. The data were collected by using 12 classes of 2nd, 4th, 6th-grade, 286 children of an elementary school. The influences according to reading methods on the self-directed learning ability were surveyed through the self-directed learning ability test and through questionnaire. Out of reading methods, "intensive reading" had significant influence on the self-directed learning ability Out of reading methods of 4th and 6th-grade children, "intensive reading" had the most influence on the self-directed learning ability. However. out of reading methods of 2nd-grade children "thorough reading" had most influence on the self-directed learning ability.