Outlines the characteristics of graded readers and their contribution to foreign language teaching and suggests uses of these readers. Analyzes the grading systems and levels of published titles in terms of their readability. Presents a bibliography of beginning to intermediate level readers and gives advice for starting a library of graded…

The present contribution analyses how Spanish textbooks deal with activities requiring primary-school pupils to work in groups. The sample comprised 24 social science, natural science and technology textbooks written for primary school children (6?12 years old). Having coded the information, the authors followed a two-fold methodology geared…

A survey was made of 112 readers earmarked for students ranging from the beginning level in the secondary school to the intermediate level in college. The readers intended to be read by beginning and intermediate students are described, following a brief discussion of what reading involves. (Author/RM)

Discusses the use of content area textbooks and indicates that content textbooks are difficult for students to understand because the books generally are not well written. Offers solutions for how to use content textbooks and illustrates how lessons can be created through the integration of tradebooks and through discussions in which critical…

Students in a teaching methods course evaluated a recently published basal reader to see if it conformed to guidelines for the efficacy of such materials already established by the class. A story selection was read to identify (1) essential background information, (2) text features that might cause comprehension problems (subject matter for…

A comprehensive system of literacy instruction is outlined in this monograph. The system involves two stages--learning to read and reading to learn (reading to get information from printed materials)--which are integrated through two overlapping teaching spirals organized around a chosen subject matter theme. The nine chapters of the monograph…

Most secondary science courses in North America are designed to use textbooks as the primary or exclusive source of information about the content or processes of science, and most science teachers focus their instruction on a single text. Although there are many serious issues raised by the overwhelming reliance on text-based teaching/learning in…

READING PROGRAMS IN THE ELEMENTARY GRADES IN MANITOBA, CANADA, WERE STUDIED OVER A 4-YEAR PERIOD TO DETERMINE WHAT TYPES OF PROGRAMS WERE IN EFFECT AND TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE THE TEACHING OF READING. INCLUDED IN THE REPORT ARE (1) A SURVEY OF READING IN MANITOBA FROM 1946-1966, (2) A DESCRIPTION OF THE CONTENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE…

The hard-cover basal textbook continues to dominate teaching and learning in elementary social studies, particularly as a reaction to reduced budgets, the back to basics movement, state-wide testing, and criticism of less traditional teaching practices. Two problem areas encountered by children when using social studies textbooks include lack of…

A COMPARISON WAS MADE OF FOUR DIFFERENT METHODS OF TEACHING BEGINNING READING. THE PROGRAMS STUDIED WERE (1) AN ECLECTIC, "WHOLE WORD" READING PROGRAM PRESENTED IN SCOTT, FORESMAN PUBLICATIONS, (2) A "PHONIC" READING PROGRAM PUBLISHED BY J.B. LIPPINCOTT, (3) A COMBINATION ECLECTIC, "WHOLE WORD - PHONIC" READING…

Children who speak the black dialect usually are low classroom achievers. Teachers must understand differences between Black English (BE) and the reading text. This paper shows how black children experience difficulties with reading programs. Three basal reading series are analyzed. Initial Teaching Alphabet - phonics; Scientific Research…

This Bureau of Indian Affairs publication focuses on the problems of beginning reading in English. Ralph Robinett's "The Teaching of English Reading to American Indian Children" discusses basic premises and approaches to reading for speakers of English as a second language or as a standard dialect. The "Information Exchange" describes projects and…

This bulletin summarizes and interprets some of the main findings of "Survey of the Literature on Methods and Materials in Reading," by Martha J. Maxwell and George Temp, Chapter IV of "The Information Base for Reading: A Critical Review of the Information Base for Current Assumptions Regarding the Status of Instruction and Achievement in Reading…

IN THE MISSOURI ADULT VOCATIONAL-LITERACY MATERIALS DEVELOPMENT PROJECT MATERIALS WERE DEVISED FOR TEACHING ADULTS TO READ, WRITE, AND SPELL AT THE FUNCTIONAL (SIXTH GRADE) LEVEL. IN THE RESEARCH PHASE, THE NEEDS, CHARACTERISTICS, LITERACY LEVEL, OCCUPATIONS, AND INTERESTS OF THE ILLITERATE ADULT WERE STUDIED, AND TEACHING MATERIALS AND METHODS…

This guide, one in a series of works dealing with adult literacy education, is designed to help adult reading program staff to select adult literacy materials. Examined in the first section of the guide are the commercially prepared basal and supplemental reading materials that are available for use in the Jefferson County Adult Reading Program…