A study was conducted to determine the current trends in reading materials and methods used to teach first grade students to read in the Northern Valley Region of Bergen County, New Jersey. Twenty-one first grade teachers responded to a survey which consisted of open-ended questions asking about goals and incentives, multiple choice questions on demographics, and questions on the kinds of teaching materials commonly found in primary classrooms. Results indicated a moving away from using the traditional basal and phonics program toward a whole language approach. Another trend is that those who have been teaching less than 10 years are more likely to use a whole language approach, as are teachers with more education. Results also showed that the majority of reading materials and methods are chosen by the teacher and that administrators who get involved in choosing reading materials usually choose basal and phonic programs. The paper concludes with recommendations made to administrators and teachers on the basis of this research. (Seven tables of data are included; the cover letter and survey mailed to teachers are appended; and 18 references are attached.) (MG)