Reading competence is one of the main gateways to learning and serves as the foundation for nearly all academic subjects, but reading is not a natural skill. For beginning and struggling readers, the process of learning to read is often fraught with frustration. Thus, abilities to manage affect or emotions and maintain attention or focus (i.e.…

A study by R. Anderson, R. Reynolds, D. Schallert, and E. Goetz was replicated to determine the possible effects of contextual constraints on the findings of the original study. Results suggested that context-of-situation and background are both powerful predictors of interpretive frameworks of reading comprehension. (MKM)

Suggests that a molar view of classroom reading instruction be employed to discover factors in the students and the system which lead to reading success and failure. The molar view also is seen to generate research hypotheses for instructional improvement. Bibliography. (RW)

Uses the author's experiences as a less-able member of a university choir as metaphor for how less-able readers experience the demands of learning a complex symbol system. Translates the positive experiences as a choir member into classroom contexts. Advocates choral reading, heterogeneous grouping, regular opportunities for practice, limitation…

Notes that at-risk readers often have narrow notions about reading processes and their roles as readers. Discusses research related to at-risk readers' comprehension strategies. Suggests that several aspects of typical reading instruction contribute to at-risk readers' views. Offers suggestions for evaluating aspects of classroom environment and…

The problem of this conference panel was to explore attentional and motivational systems and the factors in classroom management that influence them. The contents of this panel report consist of three approaches to the problem: the study of the psychological state of children as they take part in schooling, with special consideration given to the…

This paper describes three alternative perspectives--information processing, social constructivism, and Piagetian/naturalist--of reading/writing connections and suggests instructional implications influenced by the three perspectives. The paper explores each theory in terms of basic assumptions, related research, and strengths and limitations and…

The details of a 6-year investigation entitled the Education Testing Service (ETS) Collaborative Research Project on Reading, which brought researchers and educators together in classroom studies of young children learning to read, are presented in this book. The first four chapters of the book describe the theoretical rationale, design, and…

Addresses attitudes toward reading resulting in beginning reading instruction in the kindergarten and preschool curriculum. Argues that previously accepted notions of the necessity of reading readiness are no longer viable and encourages home and classroom support for the acquisition of reading abilities through written and oral language. (DST)

Based on information gained in two longitudinal research studies of the beginning reading process, this book offers insights into the detection and prevention of reading failure. The 13 chapters of the book deal with the following topics: barriers to the early identification of reading problems, preschool experiences, school entry, early reading…

This collection of abstracts is part of a continuing series providing information on recent doctoral dissertations. The 30 titles deal with a variety of topics, including the following: (1) effects of graphic organizers, textual organization, and reading comprehension level on recall of expository prose; (2) the effect of metaphor on the reading…

Focusing on future directions for English and reading research, the papers presented in this book examine the complex interplay of skills, processes, and classroom conditions that influence the development of children's competence in reading, writing, and the language arts. The titles and authors of the essays are as follows: (1) "Reading and…