Argues that by improving students' access to information books, teachers can do a better job of helping struggling readers become skillful, motivated readers. Documents the overwhelming use of stories in what students are expected to read and write, discusses the importance of balancing reading instruction with information text, and provides…

Discusses the motivational and other aspects of struggling readers. Notes classroom practices that are barriers to struggling readers in many middle schools. Presents motivation theory as a basis of the authors' proposed engagement model of classroom practice. Proposes six aspects of teaching and classroom context that represent their model of…

Describes the problems of a hypothetical disabled reader in terms of his possible lack of phonological awareness. Explains phonological awareness and its subunits with examples. Discusses research that supports the notion that phonological awareness is necessary for reading success, as well as the issue of whether children can be taught…

Focuses on the complementary model of Lawton's (1999) three collaborative instructional models. Notes that the complementary model establishes the classroom teacher as the educator primarily responsible for instruction. Discusses collaboration during reading instruction, helping students prepare to read, helping students engage in the reading…

Describes the experiences of an undergraduate student in a reading methods course during her practicum of tutoring a young child with reading difficulties. Discusses how she finally found a motivational tool that repeatedly engaged the child--tape recording the child as he read a predictable book and playing the tape back for the child to listen…

Notes that talking books have the potential to give remedial students extensive supported practice in real reading. Suggests talking books must not be regarded as a means of fully meeting the teacher's instructional responsibility to these students. Concludes that talking books represent a new resource for an old dilemma, but they are not a total…

Describes how most reading and writing assignments do not require the demonstration of sophisticated cognitive, social, or self-regulation skills. Describes an intervention study addressing this issue, in which students read and wrote complex prose, offered feedback to classmates, and monitored their learning progress. Focuses on how these new…

Provides an overview of the reading comprehension process from an interactionist perspective. Reviews key components of effective comprehension instruction, including metacognitive instruction. Gives examples of instructional interventions that have been implemented successfully with students experiencing reading difficulties. (RS)

Suggests that children often get confusing or conflicting instruction that possibly exacerbates initial problems. Reviews approaches to teaching children with reading problems. Concludes that effective phonics instruction for children with reading problems is both novel and systematic. Recommends a two-pronged solution: provide one clear and…

Presents an approach to word study instruction, wordsorting, based on recent spelling research. Reviews research that support the conceptual and developmental nature of learning to spell. Presents a conceptual framework consistent with research findings. Explains variations in word sorting activities, describes basic components and extensions, and…

Describes a late intervention for older students with significant reading difficulties. Describes the kinds of reading and writing assessments necessary to determine a starting place for teachers. Finds that in almost every case, the students made substantial gains in a short period of time, and the teachers expressed satisfaction with both their…

Discusses the Cross-Aged Literacy Program as a mediational agent to assist adolescents who struggle with reading, writing and schooling. Notes that the procedures and activities enable ninth-grade students to take the responsibility for the learning of younger children and thus themselves. (SG)

Argues educators need to identify software that will effectively support children with reading difficulties. Discusses: why computers should be used to aid struggling readers; what makes good software and why; and what software to select for classroom use. Contains an evaluation device that can be used by educators selecting software for classroom…

Addresses the issue of teacher purpose in using technology for reading and literacy instruction. Notes that computers were used mostly for motivation and self-esteem and not for raising achievement. Argues that educators need to critically think through the multiple realities they face as they consider the use of technology with disabled readers.…

Summarizes findings about repeated reading since the 1970s and details the most recent findings. Argues that, because of strong evidence of the effectiveness of repeated reading, the many facets of this procedure should be integrated into the fabric of daily literacy instruction. Offers specific suggestions for applications including applications…