Examines the degree to which experiencing confusion during the acquisition of new academic material differentially affects classroom performance of helpless and mastery-oriented fifth-graders. Provides an initial test of a theoretical approach to understanding differences between male and female performances in different subject areas. (AS)

Explores the role of interpersonal cognitive complexity in the character impressions, story comprehension, response preferences, and literary attitudes of eleventh grade students. Results suggest that interpersonal cognitive complexity predisposes readers toward complex perceptions of literary characters. (HOD)

Supports findings from earlier research showing that older students are more aware of organizational structure, more precise in assessing information, and better able to deal with logical relationships than are younger students. (FL)

Discusses the emerging assumptions of literature and its teaching that knowledge is made and must be remade by each person. Considers the relationships between the reader and the text, the reader and the reader, and the relationship between texts. (EL)

A replication of D. Durkin's classic study of comprehension instruction reveals that the study has had profound effects on the way reading is now taught. (FL)

Provides a number of ways teachers can use newspapers to teach comprehension and critical thinking and to help students develop sensitivity in awareness of the self, the community, the nation, and the world. (FL)

Analyzes several questions and student answers, and the graders' evaluations of student responses on each of two advanced placement examinations--the one which tests Vergil and the one which tests Catallus and Horace. The percentages of participants scoring at each grade level of the exam are also presented. (SED)

Shows how conceptions of literacy in reading have changed and what sorts of instruction best suit each conception. Identifies four conceptions of literacy: (1) decoding, (2) structural comprehension, (3) elaborative comprehension, and (4) critical thinking, and argues that each is best allied with a certain form of instruction. (FL)

Dr. Jeanne S. Chall discusses her research on the stages of reading development from prekindergarten through college and its implications for classroom teaching. (MBR)

Provides information about producing stereo slides and their use in the classroom. Describes an evaluation of the teaching effectiveness of stereo slides using two groups of 30 randomly selected students from introductory geomorphology. Results from a pretest/postttest measure show that stereo slides significantly improved understanding. (JM)

Multiple-choice reading comprehension items from a conventional, norm-referenced reading comprehension test were successfully analyzed using a simple latent class model. Results support the use of latent class, state mastery models with more heterogenous item pools than has been previously advocated. (Author/PN)

Forty language class activities are suggested for reinforcing vocabulary and structures used in all types of French second language programs; reinforcing the four areas of knowledge (comprehension, speech, reading, and writing); developing communicative skills; integrating culture into French language programs; and integrating other subject area…

Argues that colleges can use Verbal SAT scores to place freshmen in reading courses when comprehension measures are not available. (HOD)

Children with language deficiencies in grades two through four received instruction in listening comprehension. One-half of the children in each grade verbalized explicit strategies prior to applying them to questions. Strategy self-verbalization led to high self-efficacy across grades and promoted performance among third and fourth graders.…

Describes activities to promote the integration of the right and left hemispheres of the brain that improve the attitudes of remedial readers. (AEA)