This comprehensive sourcebook, unique in content and design, is a resource for teaching reading and language arts in Grades K-8. Aiming to combine the best features of an academic text and a practical, hands-on teacher's guide, the book provides educators with proven research and instructional strategies necessary for balanced reading programs. It…

Argues that reading educators need to objectively appraise the whole-language instructional philosophy in relation to what is known about reading methodology. Discusses the whole-language philosophy, its history, the "whole sentence method," and whole-language weaknesses. Advocates developing a "balanced reading program," which would emphasize…

This paper presents a case study of a reading disabled 9-year-old student with a profound single naming-speed deficit without a phonological deficit. It explores how a naming-speed deficit affects reading performance and theoretical assumptions regarding the role of naming speed in reading. A reading program specifically designed to address…

Top-down and bottom-up theories have long dominated the field of reading. Recently, interactive models have been proposed by some researchers. One model, the interactive-compensatory model, hypothesizes that a deficiency in one processing area is compensated for by a relative strength in another area. The concept of multiple intelligences is one…

No trend in education has been more exalted than "whole language," which has a following of teachers, researchers, and specialists who are almost fanatical in their observance of this teaching method. The debate is between two types of direct instruction: the "atomistic" approach encourages teachers to break down reading into…

Among the defining features of the whole language philosophy are: an emphasis on reading comprehension and extracting meaning from text; reading and writing across the curriculum; and the use of phonics instruction, subordinate to other methods (cues) of extracting meaning from text. Controversy between professional educators involved in…

Focusing on research and its implications for classroom practice, this paper describes how students' comprehension of text can be enhanced by using a variety of easily available materials. The first section considers what successful reading involves in terms of the active nature of learning in general, the characteristics of skilled readers, and…

Psycholinguistic theoretical information provides the framework for the argument that talking books, taped books, shared book experiences and composing activities that include real text prepared for a specific audience provide an environment conducive to beginning reading. Six assumptions underlie the learning to read process: (1) children learn…

Examines the influence of first-language reading-models on second-language reading-theory and research. Recommends a sharing and transfer of knowledge between related disciplines, such as first- and second-language reading, to increase understanding of the reading process, regardless of the target language. (PA)

Describes and discusses six recent books for teachers that illuminate, from different perspectives, aspects of the reading-writing connection for struggling readers, and how to teach reading and writing effectively. (SR)

A study examined the effect of gender, age, and cognitive task on three types of reading recall. Subjects, 40 boys and girls in the second grade and 40 in the fifth grade from a suburban Northeast school system, all reading at or above grade level, performed cued or free recall on four high-interest short stories. Reading recall was assessed via…

Argues that the tests used to measure reading achievement do not reflect recent advances in the understanding of the reading process, and that effective instruction best can be fostered by resolving the discrepancy between what is known and what is measured. (FL)

Designed to be a resource to help educational practitioners, researchers, and other interested persons in the national and international community to understand terms used in contemporary and historical writings about literacy, this dictionary provides authenticated definitions of the technical terminology of the nature, study, and practice of…

This book suggests that learning to read should be a right for all children. From this viewpoint, the book constructs a bridge between current knowledge of reading processes and educational practice by incorporating a comprehensive range of theory, practice, and research, and a solid foundation in education and psychological science. Topics…

Traces the theoretical sources of self-questioning instructional research. Summarizes such research in three areas: spelling; reading comprehension; and summarization. Considers important caveats on self-questioning instructional research and practice. Mentions nascent curriculum development that is explicitly based on metacognitive theory and…