This response to Gersten and Dimino (EC 606 357) proposes that difficulties with both whole language and direct instruction of students with learning disabilities can be avoided with a model of instruction based on research in cognition and metacognition. Three techniques are discussed, including situated cognition, cognitive strategy instruction,…

A teacher at the Model Secondary School for the Deaf (District of Columbia) recounts how she learned to use the Whole Language approach to writing instruction, to encourage student writing and conduct teacher/student conferences, and to stimulate students' reading interests. (DB)

Debate regarding the teaching of reading as skills versus reading as securing ideas has been in evidence for some time. The "measurably stated objectives" philosophy emphasizes that the act of reading should be divided into specific skills in which the inherent component parts are identified and a highly detailed list of precise objectives are…

Adult literacy is an integral part of today's educational movement and will continue to be a focus as changing needs of society are addressed. This bibliography presents annotations of 40 journal articles and ERIC documents dealing with instructional strategies in adult literacy. Annotations in the bibliography date from the period 1989-1992 and…

This paper presents a historical study of three issues in education: (1) the teaching of morals; (2) teacher retraining; and (3) practices in language arts. It demonstrates that recent actions by the South Dakota legislature to ensure that children are given moral and character instruction are similar to efforts undertaken in the 1890s in North…

With the current emphasis on whole language, the use of children's literature as the basis for reading instruction is widespread. Theme units have been suggested as one way to provide stimulating opportunities for children to explore and learn. Whole language based literature theme units emphasize process more than product. Units are designed to…

Discusses a whole-language approach to teaching guided reading to deaf students. Each morning, a written letter, using vocabulary and syntax in accordance with students' reading ability, previews the day's events. With teacher guidance, students explore their reading skills in groups to encourage application of reading strategies in a natural…

In a truly balanced literacy program, how teachers teach is as important as what they teach. This article focuses on issues related to teaching basic skills with literature, effective grouping and planning, covering content, and dealing with student assessment. Five rules of thumb for maintaining balance are listed. (SM)

Applies principles of whole-language instruction to the teaching of sign language skills. Emphasis is on the holistic use of sign language in natural communicative situations. Some materials for this approach to sign language instruction are suggested. (DB)

Studies the attitudes toward reading as a sex-role appropriate behavior in classrooms using basal reading instruction or the whole language approach. Suggests that the nature of instruction has a significant effect on boys' view of the sex-role appropriateness of reading and writing. (MG)

This article presents strategies, including communicative reading strategies, to facilitate holistic language learning in young children with language and learning disorders. Strategies include pairing oral and written language and using preparatory sets, semantic maps, flowcharts, and theme building. An example of narrative discourse demonstrates…

This article challenges two assumptions underlying whole-language philosophy: spoken language is directly comparable to written language, and skilled readers rely on contextual information more than on the printed word. Speech-language professionals are urged to engage in some instructional practices associated with whole language but also…

Discusses whole-language learning in Indiana classrooms, its philosophical origin and appropriate educational environment. The article offers a set of beliefs about whole-language teaching and presents guidelines to help schools restructure their thinking about the curriculum and learning climate. (SM)

This review of research on the use of whole language with students with hearing impairments identifies recurring themes, such as whole language is effective for students from a variety of backgrounds and age levels, and literacy development of deaf students exposed to a literate environment parallels that of hearing students. (JDD)

This review of research on reading instruction uses an interactive model to identify learner characteristics, learning conditions, and language processes that are best treated through a meaning-oriented or a code-emphasis instructional program. Resulting instructional guidelines are offered. (Author/DB)