Not too long ago, on a visit to two sixth-grade classrooms, the author saw very clearly the challenge teachers have before them when they try to differentiate reading. In both classrooms, 11-year-olds who read like fourth graders shared tables with classmates who read like the average ninth grader--a five-year span. How teachers approach this…

Using the Fry Readability approach and a ten percent random sample of all reading materials from each grade level within a program, readability data were collected on six popular elementary science textbook series. Fry readability averages and ranges for the six programs surveyed are reported by grade level. (Author/MK)

Describes how social studies teachers can help students interact with textbooks to promote better comprehension and retention of information. Suggests methods for linking existing knowledge to concepts in the text, for organizing information to encourage retention, and for making the expository style of texts more accessible. (LS)

Presents guidelines for evaluating computer trade books for children. Includes results for 47 books evaluated using the "Yawn index." (HTH)

Discusses the issue of the use of nonfiction reading in the primary classroom. Describes the demands that nonfiction books make on children. Examines how the genre can be made more accessible to children. (HB)

Identifies variables needing research related to reading. Variables include teacher training and behavior, textbook characteristics including readability, teaching strategies and techniques, reviews of reading research, and diffusion of findings to the classroom teacher. (Author/CK)

Intended for language arts teachers of the upper elementary grades, this guide suggests vocabulary and discussion questions for teaching novels. The questions are on an inferential level of interpretation, rather than literal, and address such topics as style, technique, and plot development. Novels for which questions are provided are: (1)…

The sixth edition of this text incorporates research done in the five years since the fifth edition was published and contains new terminology, new concepts, new illustrations, and new materials. The four guiding principles (breadth of scope, maintenance of a balanced point of view, practicality, and clarity) remain. Chapter topics are reading…

The guide describes how to use a 9-point system to teach 11 high-interest, low-level novels about Indians and teenagers to students reading at levels 1-8. The nine steps are (1) determine student's instructional reading level, (2) determine level of novels to be read, (3) choose novel at student's instructional reading level, (4) introduce novel,…

Because of concern about the harmful effects of placing children in low reading groups, this study tested the following "sacred cows" in reading: (1) the use of informal reading inventories for grouping children in reading instruction, (2) the homogeneous grouping practices currently utilized in most classrooms in the United States, (3)…

This collection of abstracts is part of a continuing series providing information on recent doctoral dissertations. The 28 titles deal with a variety of topics, including the following: (1) prekindergarten screening and first grade reading achievement; (2) the influence of the instructional environment on children's acquisition of reading; (3)…