After briefly reviewing how reading is conceptualised in the "Progress in International Reading Literacy Study" and the English National Curriculum, this article examines two unofficial reading activities in a class of 10-11-year-olds' to see how far these activities match up with the official definitions of reading, or whether they…

In this paper, we explore the affordances of literature-based, arts-infused and digital media processes for students, as multimodal practices take centre stage in an English Language Arts unit on fractured fairy tales. The study takes up the challenge of addressing multimodal literacy instruction and research in ways that utilize a range of…

The author explores how the use of joke books can promote fluency in young readers. One young girl's fluency improved measurably, and her engagement and motivation to read the particular kind of text involved played a significant role. (Contains 2 tables.)

What kinds of books do children want to read? And how can a teacher find those books? The author provides some ideas for interesting new books in the categories of graphic novels, humorous adventures, poetry, and books about math.

Notes that the language of reading education contains many acronyms and initials, leading to confusion among professionals as well as noneducators. Proposes, humorously, a generic acronym, FUSS, based on sound psychology of reading. (FL)

Offers a humorous perspective on being a proponent of the whole language approach to reading instruction in the face of those who favor phonics and specific skill instruction. (SRT)

Contains a humorous dialog between a university professor and the director of a district educational center, describing some of the effects of specialization in reading. (RB)

Offers a humorous look at the problem of assessment. (FL)

Argues that round robin reading is valuable because it prepares students for "the real world" by exposing them to boredom, teaching them to look alert when they are not, teaching the skills of oneupmanship, and teaching inference skills (since it often obscures the story line of a work). (FL)

Presents a short description with examples of the use of cartoons as a motivational and instructional technique for vocabulary study. (AEA)

Provides examples of word play that reading teachers can use to reinforce a variety of skills. (FL)

Argues that humorous books have the potential to brighten the classroom environment, motivate students, and develop reactive, thinking readers. (FL)

Presents a guide to the best humorous writing for children. Discusses the role of humorous books in coaxing reluctant readers to greater involvement in books. Analyzes types of humor and comedy while describing over 20 titles. (JB)

Recounts tales--in the tradition of Chaucer--that have implications for the potential of the microcomputer in learning and teaching reading. (FL)