The history of the alphabet is briefly reviewed to provide background on the controversy about beginning handwriting instruction and the relative difficulty of major instructional methods (Roman capitals, ball-stick manuscript, and chancery cursive). The author suggests that a simplified version of chancery cursive can be used for beginners. (CL)

Shows that an errorless discrimination training (EDT) group made significantly fewer errors during instruction in learning the letters of the alphabet than did a reinforcement-extinction group. (RB)

A four-step instructional procedure to assist the learning disabled child to distinguish the distinctive features of letters is described. The procedure involves distinguishing the lower case "b" via a fading out technique from its upper case counterpart "B." The letter directionality can be cued so that the "b-d" distinction is readily apparent.…

Analyzes the Bullock commission's view on the methodology of beginning reading instruction with special reference to i.t.a. (RB)

Concludes that letter-sound learning, word recognition, and reading ability do not appear to be affected by letter-name instruction. (RB)

"Alpha-Pets" are the focal point of an integrated, multidisciplinary curriculum. Each pet is featured for a week in a vocabulary-rich story and introduces related activities beginning with the featured letter, such as the four food groups during Freddie Fish's week or universe during Ulysses Unicorn's week. (MT)

US government mandates to implement intensive phonics instruction in elementary classrooms invoke an alleged scientific superiority of this approach over more meaning-centered models. But curiously absent from this scientific enterprise is a study of the phonics system itself. Advocates of intensive phonics have not demonstrated that the commonly…

Describes how alphabet books may be used to develop children's visual and verbal literacy. (DD)

This paper examines the importance of handwriting instruction, through discussion of four issues: (1) whether handwriting should be taught directly outside other writing contexts; (2) slanted versus traditional manuscript alphabets; (3) use of a beginner's pencil and wide lined paper; and (4) the use of self-regulation procedures within the…

Describes a five-week project in which elementary students chose a favorite letter as the main character of a 25- to 30-page book for practice in language skills. The book each child made was composed of more than 20 learning activities that stimulated students to review and practice skills, parts of speech, synonyms, antonyms and alliteration as…

Spelling research indicates that an effective language arts program should incorporate direct teaching of spelling words with teaching the words in a meaningful context. (JH)

Maintains that alphabet books are an overlooked valuable resource for children's literature to enhance social studies instruction. Possible uses include introducing students to new concepts and ideas as well as initiating group discussions and creative activities. Presents an annotated bibliography of 38 alphabet books. (CFR)

Recognizing that learning to spell is a complex, active process of discovery, this book presents some suggestions for the teaching of spelling that may be incorporated into different types of language programs and adapted to suit the needs of children with a range of spelling abilities. Following the introduction, a section on beginning spelling…