Describes the preparation, implementation, and results of a classroom cross-age tutoring project, which involved third and fourth graders reading books to younger students. Discusses evolution of project: students' lesson plans became more student-centered and complex over time, tutors assumed responsibility for younger children, and their…

Describes the Teens for Literacy project, in which teens come up with ideas to improve literacy in their schools. Notes that, in the nearly five years of the program, teens have developed a Big Brother/Big Sister reading program, selected and displayed posters in school corridors, developed videos promoting literacy, read with children, and…

Describes an innovative middle school program (called Family Reading) where a family-like atmosphere of attentiveness and helpfulness characterizes student interactions as they develop and practice strategies for reading aloud with younger children. Discusses children's literature and strategy learning and the family component of the project. (SR)

Describes a cross-age reading program called Storymates, which connected school and home literacy experiences of 9-, 10-, and 11-year olds through storybook reading to younger siblings, relatives, and neighborhood friends. Discusses exploring story structure in the classroom; reading storybooks in school and at home; how retellings improved; and…

Uses excerpts from children's conversations to illustrate talk that occurs in three regular contexts in which struggling readers can work: weekly visits to a day care center where they read to younger children, daily partner reading, and daily inquiry project time. Suggests ways to promote talk in each context that will empower these learners. (SR)

Describes an affordable and effective program to improve the reading and literacy skills of struggling high school readers. Describes and discusses components of the program including tailor-made assignments for each student, the use of community volunteer and peer tutors, and regular opportunities for the students to read to elementary school…

Hawaiian fifth graders learned to teach reading and peacemaking to kindergartners. After receiving instruction on peacemaking, leadership, and storytelling, the students taught the kindergartners about peace, chose books to read to them, practiced reading aloud, then read to their selected partners, using the strategies they had learned in class.…

Discusses the school librarian's role in helping to develop students' reading motivation. Topics include the importance of feedback; providing time to read, perhaps as a reward; adequate access to books; flexible schedules for library time; reading aloud; book-discussion groups; family involvement; and using older students as tutors. (LRW)

A low-cost reading program at De Anza Junior High School, Ontario, California, designed to motivate reluctant junior high school readers and to develop an early interest in books in preschool children is described. A background history of the Preschool Story Hour is given and sources of books are suggested. Junior high students who may be…