Explores the possibilities for adapting the basal reader to the particular needs of the student or classroom as opposed to strict page by page study. (HTH)

The publication of the "Report Card on Basal Readers" has generated a wide range of reactions and this first document issued in the ARENA series focuses on two of these reactions. The two reactions articulated in this debate represent opposite responses to the "Report." The first section, by Constance Weaver, examines first the philosophy implicit…

This interview with reading expert Jeanne Chall focuses on criticism by Bruno Bettelheim of basal readers and phonics for beginning readers. (GC)

The Fry Readability Graph was used to determine the validity of the publisher's recommended grade usage for four reading series at the fourth, fifth, and sixth grade levels. Three samples were analyzed from each text, and these results were compared with the publisher's stated grade levels. The majority of the basals investigated had an average…

Reviews a line of research in which the readability of basal reader stories is assessed through a comparison of traditional and story grammar-based indices. Presents implications for the measurement of readability and the preparation of basal reader stories. (FL)

Argues that Piaget's cognitive stage theory complements psycholinguistic theories of fluent reading by clarifying how readers acquire and then use prior knowledge. Suggests that, in this light, teachers may want to rearrange the order and manner in which they present units from basal readers. (FL)

Provides a guide for designing lessons for teaching content area reading in the elementary grades. (FL)

Reviews experiments designed to determine whether pictures have an effect upon the derivation of meaning from the text printed in children's reading materials and notes ways that pictures support and possibly interfere with meaning. (MKM)

Analyzes some problems that can make beginning basal stories difficult for young readers to understand and offers suggestions for ways teachers can help alleviate the problems. (FL)

Suggests that many "writing disabilities" derive from too little time allocated to writing instruction or from instruction inadequately designed for learning needs of students. Reviews characteristics of students with learning disabilities. Recommendations are given for effectively teaching writing to a broad range of students. Discusses…

This report examines the nature of the modern basal reader, its economics, and use. First, the report provides a history showing how the confluence of business principles, positivistic science, and behavioral psychology led to the transformation of reading textbooks into basal readers. Next, the report examines objectives and subjective factors…

Notes that boys continue to be portrayed in reading materials in activities stereotypically associated with males, such as sports, adventure, and leadership; suggests that reading materials are needed that show boys in nurturing and expressive roles as well. (MKM)

Defines horizontal reading as providing children with more reading experiences and practice at the level they have just completed rather than moving them immediately to the next level. Describes two commercially prepared programs that make horizontal reading easier to implement and more closely correlated with the lead basal instruction. (FL)

Cites studies in which the reading level of workbooks designed to accompany basal readers has been found to be several years higher than the reading level of the basal text. (MKM)

Presenting an overview of the theoretical perspective underlying work on text analysis in progress at the Center for the Study of Reading (Champaign-Urbana, Illinois), this report emphasizes the work that group has undertaken on stories for children in grades one through five. The report discusses three factors, drawn from a theoretical model,…