Discusses research concerning the four reciprocal teaching (RT) strategies: predicting, questioning, clarifying, and summarizing as they relate to fifth-grade teachers who had exposure to constructivist thinking conducted as part of the normal school day. Finds that when teachers consistently and clearly modeled all four RT strategies, students…

Provides a rationale for the use of graphic organizers (GOs), traces their history and development, reviews 16 studies that have used GOs as text adjuncts, and discusses limitations that have made GO research nonsystematic. Suggests future research should examine and answer how GOs can be constructed for classroom use. (PA)

Determines whether reading comprehension scores of intermediate-grade language-deficient students improved with use of literature-based integrated language (whole language) instruction. Finds a significant gain after 25 weeks of instruction. Suggests that the effectiveness of whole language instruction may be significantly enhanced with the use of…

Describes a teacher research project. Suggests the author's reading methods course was effective in adding some strategies to the preservice teachers' understandings of reading. Notes students seemed more willing to add reading strategies in areas where they lacked prior knowledge and experiences, but demonstrated reluctance to change in areas…

This study examined the efficacy of using an integrated learning system (ILS) to augment kindergarten emergent reading skills. This quasi-experimental design used repeated measures. Change scores were calculated to run analyses. Effect sizes were calculated using Cohen, with large effect sizes noted for phonological awareness and knowledge of…

Investigates the amount of time teachers devote to directed reading activities and reading skills instruction; the amount of time devoted to components of each approach; and which instructional strategies are used in each approach and with what frequency. Finds that the majority of time allocated for reading lessons is devoted to reading skills…

Analyzes some of the effects of advance organizers on text recall by seventh grade students. Finds that the advance organizer that allowed for oral presentation by the teacher with ensuing discussion resulted in the greatest and most resilient recall. Notes that discussion also affected scores. Shares teaching implications. (RS)

Reviews investigations related to word learning of learning disabled students. Finds that direct word study leads to reading improvement for learning disabled pupils, but that indirect instruction also provides assistance. Finds also that word knowledge instruction not only promotes word learning, but can heighten learning disabled students'…

Examines the degree to which whole language practices have become a part of reading instruction offered by first grade teachers in six school districts. Finds that teachers spent less than 10 percent of the reading instructional time engaged in practices which could be considered in agreement with whole language theory. (MG)