Critiques an experiment by M. Arlin, M. Scott, and J. Webster (see EJ 206 153) in which their pictures as an aid to learning hypothesis contrasts with the focal attention hypothesis supported by research by H. Singer, S. J. Samuels, and J. Spiroff (see EJ 105 648). (MKM)

The major objective of this study was to compare the effects of two modalities of instruction and testing--aural and visual. Other considerations were sex differences in achievement and the exploration of a relationship between sex identity and achievement. The eighth grade boys and girls of average intelligence who participated in this study…

Results indicated no interaction between modality preference and reading method. The visual method of teaching resulted in higher achievement regardless of modality preference; however, children with an auditory modality preference were generally superior in achievement compared to those with a visual preference. (Author)

This book presents a method of teaching letter sounds to children; it suggests ways for the elementary teacher or parent to involve children physically, as well as mentally, in the learning process. For example, to learn the letter "Y," children stand with outstretched arms to form themselves into the letter Y; to learn the "Z" sound, children…

Presents an overview of research on using mental imagery to assist reading and listening comprehension, and provides practical suggestions for teaching students to use visual imagery to enhance comprehension. (SKC)

The effects of visual and auditory process training on reading achievement were explored with 24 learning disabled elementary age students assigned to three treatment groups (auditory training and reading group, visual training and reading group, and reading only group). (Author/PHR)

Sets forth a theory of style in picture books which focuses on artists' choices in expressing meaning and shows how a literary and aesthetic discourse may evolve as children respond to these choices. Suggests how teachers can create a classroom context which will promote the fullest communication between a child and a picture book.(NH)

This article explains to teachers how they can identify their personal modality strength (auditory, visual, or kinesthetic) and how this orientation affects their classroom style. Techniques are also suggested for providing reading help to auditory, visual, and kinesthetic learners. (SJL)

Works of art can be a valuable tool for teaching reading skills, such as visual discrimination, language experience, word recognition, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and other language arts skills. Classroom activities based on art work are described. Sources of art reproductions are noted. (PP)

Research indicates that using the manual alphabet in classes of non-deaf students is effective both for spelling and vocabulary instruction. Teachers appreciate the way signing physically involves the students, acts as a self-cueing system, is inexpensive, and helps with writing problems like "b" and "d" reversals. Other advantages are: (1) it is…

This end-of-project report disucsses the procedures that the Dubuque Community School District followed in conducting research on learning the styles and conditions under which elementary school-aged children learn best. The testing program that was developed consisted of administering the Tests of Modality Aptitudes in Reading (TOMAR), the…

This book is designed to give parents and teachers of children with Down syndrome and other developmental delays an alternative reading program. The program is based on a functional, language-experience approach which attempts to compensate for common deficits in auditory memory and verbal skills. The seven chapters of Part 1 describe how children…

Ways in which semantic mapping can be used for general vocabulary development, as a prewriting and prereading activity, as a postreading activity, and as a study skill strategy are presented in this teaching guide. The first two sections provide an introduction to semantic mapping, and outline the three most common uses of semantic mapping as an…

The contents of this guide are appropriate for students in grades four, five, and six who are reading about a year below grade level and whose corrective reading needs can be met by the classroom teacher. Three main instructional concerns--assessing oral language proficiency, locating an instructional reading level, and pinpointing phonetic…