This article adds picturebooks to the rich landscape of middle grades readings. It begins with a vignette that inspired this article, followed by an introduction to the changing definitions picturebooks. Next, it provides a brief overview of the different relationships between text and illustrations. Then, it discusses the value of picturebooks…

Technology can play an important role in the development of reading fluency. Taking notes, recording brainstorm sessions, peer-reviewing, and publishing are all skills that support students in becoming academically literate for advanced schooling. This descriptive case study explored the use of the iBook application and features that come…

Special education disproportionality for culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) students persists as a controversial and intractable problem in our educational systems. Response to intervention (RtI) and culturally relevant pedagogy (CRP), both independently and collectively are considered to offer promise for mitigating conditions of…

Perhaps educators shy away from serious consideration of "fun" because the term is typically associated with the kinds of activities found on the playground rather than in the classroom. According to the first, third, and fifth-graders involved in this study however, different definitions of fun can be applied in different contexts and these…

Reviews ERIC materials dealing with relative and absolute definitions of literacy. (FL)

This textbook is a fifth reader covering biographical, historical, geographical, scientific, and literary allusions or references; spelling and pronunciation; grammar; definitions, synonyms, and paraphrases; and style and thought in reading selections. Selections from classic literature are included. Writings by authors such as Benjamin Franklin,…

This textbook is a fourth reader covering biographical, historical, geographical, scientific, and literary allusions or references; spelling and pronunciation; grammar; definitions, synonyms, and paraphrases; and style and thought in reading selections. Selections from classic literature are included. Writings by authors such as Benjamin Franklin,…

Examines the various meanings of "direct instruction" and "Direct Instruction." Provides a context for the intended and unintended use of these terms. Identifies three major components of direct instruction in reading and the sameness analysis that serves as a theoretical basis for designing reading instruction based on direct…

The issue of identifying reading difficulties and disabilities in English language learners (ELLs) is a complex one. It is an area that draws on the diverse disciplines of first- and second-language acquisition, literacy, English language learning, and reading, including differences and disabilities research. This literature review aims to…

Reviews the literature to address questions that school psychologists and teachers have regarding emergent literacy in kindergarten. Defines emergent literacy; examines the importance of reading to children; and discusses print awareness/concepts of print, knowledge of letter names, phonemic awareness, formal reading instruction, early readers,…

Discusses three key groups of participants in the process of literacy education and research--teachers, students, and researchers--and issues of equity (notably the gap between achievement of students of diverse backgrounds and their mainstream peers). Focuses on changing definitions of literacy, literature, and instruction. Explores connections…

This encyclopedia is a comprehensive explanation of the study and teaching of English and language arts at all levels of education. It includes media, technology, curriculum, learning, and assessment in composition, literature, reading, drama, and language study. Designed to be used as a major resource by administrators, teachers, and students,…

This literature review examines the relationship between phonemic awareness and the ability to read. It addresses four main issues: (1) if phonemic awareness is a prerequisite for or a consequence of learning to read; (2) what is needed to teach phonemic awareness; (3) tasks or activities and assessment tools to develop phonemic awareness; and (4)…

This paper reviews current developments in the field of emergent literacy (the study of reading and writing behaviors that develop into conventional literacy). The review includes studies that look at preschoolers' emerging literacy in homes, day-care environments, and kindergartens and that focus on children's development of literacy knowledge…

This is a collection of school improvement materials from the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory (NREL) school improvement research series. A topical synthesis, two "close-ups," and four "snapshots" focus on core aspects of early childhood education (ECE) and elementary education. The topical synthesis examines: (1) what…