Examines the relative merits of the language experience approach, the basal reader approach, and the individualized reading approach for beginning reading instruction, concluding that individualized reading has the advantage of fitting the needs of the student. (RB)

The purpose of this study was to compare student reading and vocabulary achievement of classes using a standard basal-reading series with the achievement of a class using the same standard basal-reading series and a computer-managed, teacher-support system in reading. The reading and vocabulary achievement growth of a sample of 40 classes of…

The author explains that there does not exist one single method of teaching reading since there are different teaching styles and preferences of individual teachers; varied backgrounds, experiences, and abilities among children; and different school administration considerations. Five approaches for teaching reading are described. (1) The…

The research and development activities of Research and Instruction Units at four elementary schools in Madison, Wisconsin, during the 1966-67 school year are summarized. Individualization and motivation were the focal points of these projects; special attention was given to language arts. Neither of the language environment programs yielded…

This paper presented at the International Reading Association in Denver defines a basal reader series as an interrelated set of materials for teaching fundamental reading skills and attitudes, including not only traditional eclectic basal readers but also linguistic, phonic, and programed series. As new developments come to the fore in reading…

This working paper presents the background, justification, and development plan for a kindergarten program to identify and correct deficits in prereading skills. The program provides for individual differences in: (a) patterns of skill deficits, (b) rates of learning, and (c) degrees of assistance required. It is intended for optimal use in the…

The six tables in this report rank the combinations of reading materials used in the classrooms of 34 elementary schools of Washington, D.C., during the 1976-77 academic year. The data are based on teacher reports about first through sixth grade students for whom there were both pretest and posttest scores. The tables indicate that a wide variety…

In an attempt to determine the effects of the teaching-of-reading methods of individualized Reading and Basal Textbook on children's reading interests, frequency of reading, and actual book preferences, an inventory was administered to 396 boys and girls in grades four to six within two schools representing these reading approaches. It was found…

This book reviews research on the teaching of elementary reading and summarizes the research in such a way as to make it useful to the elementary school teacher. A number of methods and procedures of instruction are considered. The first chapter discusses when to begin reading and general topics related to teaching young children, and the second…

This publication contains pa ers contributed to the fifth Perspectives of Reading conference of the International Reading Association which focused on the teaching of beginning reading. The following approaches are described and evaluated: (1) individualized reading, (2) basal reading, (3) linguistic approach, (4) phonics approach, (5) new…

The guide to Individualized Reading Instructional System (IRIS) provides information helpful in establishing, operating, and maintaining a reading instructional program meeting adult basic education needs. IRIS systematizes the use of commercially published reading instructional materials for self-pacing, individualized, or independent learning.…

Communication Skills Through Authorship (CSTA) is an initial and early reading program designed to complement any basal reading plan and based on the premise that a child will learn best to read what is important to him personally. Begun in Idaho schools in 1969-70, the program encourages each student to tape record many impressions, stories, or…

This book is a collection of speeches and articles written by the author relating to her teaching experience. Some of the titles and topics include: "Look, Mr. and Mrs. Parent" (1945), which discusses and contrasts the old teacher-dominated school with the new pupil-oriented school; "Structure of Creativity" (1953), a…