Investigates prediction instruction in three basal reading series. Finds that many basal reader materials do not contain explicit definitions of predictions, nor do they provide rationale statements related to prediction instruction. Discusses implications for prediction instruction in basal readers. (RS)

Describes a study that examined whether children respond differently when they speak and write about pictures as a result of participating in a visual literacy program. Fifth graders participating in such a program were asked to examine two books and choose one as a Caldecott winner, giving reasons for their choices. (nine references) (CLB)

Investigates the effect of the exposure of a great scientist's life story represented in a manner either suggestive or not suggestive of the stereotype, and of sex difference on the image of scientist possessed by fifth graders. Reports two main effects and interaction effect from two-way analysis of variance. (YP)

Examined relationship between components of vigilance and differences in verbal intelligence in children (N=63) in grades 5-7. Found a number of significant correlations between measures of vigilance and intelligence, as well as achievement. (Author/ABL)

Analyzes fifth graders' approaches for solving the problem of the distance to the horizon. Describes determining the area bounded by the horizon. (YP)

Examines the effect of sustained silent reading (SSR) on reading attitudes of boys and girls. Finds that boys have a substantially poorer attitude toward reading than girls and that SSR has no demonstrable effect on either sex. (RS)

Reports on a comparative study of two fifth-grade classes (Louisville, Kentucky) whose members learned economic principles through the establishment of a classroom grocery store. Provides a review of the literature relating to economic education and simulations, discusses the actual classroom instruction, and describes the instrument used to…

Describes how first grade and fifth grade students teamed together to coauthor books. Provides an example of a story planning chart. (MM)

The impact of the sex of a story's main character on boys' and girls' reading interest and comprehension was studied with 540 fifth graders. A strong sex-of-reader/sex-of-main-character correlation was observed on the interest measure, while it had no effect on reading comprehension. (TJH)

Recommends pretesting intermediate grade students' basal skills to eliminate unnecessary basal skill instruction. Provides guidelines for pretesting reading comprehension skills. (MM)

Examines the use of a storyline approach to integrated learning and provides a detailed example. The "Mysterious Encounters--Earth" program based on a detective storyline includes an intensive environmental experience at a local park and provides the springboard and framework to help teachers integrate environmental learning into…

A fifth-grade teacher discusses why she teaches with historical fiction, presenting tips on choosing good historical fiction, reviewing her favorite new historical fiction books, and highlighting how to use historical fiction to teach by discussing Pocahontas to help students differentiate between make-believe and history. (SM)

Describes a literature-based reading program with an instructional component that enables teachers to provide the necessary support in reading, writing, and response as urban, low achieving students engage in conversation about books. Describes in detail the discussion of one "book club" group of students during a unit in a fifth-grade…

Twenty-four socially rejected children were coached on the importance of displaying behaviors known to be used by peers in making inferences of liking and then were encouraged to communicate these behaviors toward selected friendship targets within their own classroom groups. Significant treatment-related improvements were found in these…

Reports a study that tracked the fatness of elementary students over two years using current fitness test standards, assessing the athletic competence of obese and nonobese children. Children who were obese at the beginning of the study were likely to remain so. The study's findings regarding athletic competence were equivocal. (SM)