The effect of equations in scientific proofs on readers' comprehension was studied. Forty college undergraduates solved unfamiliar physics problems with or without a traditional series of related equations. Verbal proofs produced better responses than did equation-based proofs. Equations in proofs cause readers to shift attention away from…

Explores the benefits of using Readers Theatre in the content areas. Discusses how to select and adapt text for Readers Theatre scripts and provides suggestions for rehearsal and performing of the scripts. (MG)

A series of classroom activities for adult beginning learners of French, designed to improve reading comprehension through newspapers and news magazines, are described. The technique focuses on development of grammar and vocabulary and makes use of photos, text, layout features, and headlines. (MSE)

The Literature Learning Project at the English Studies Department, Institute of Education in Singapore is described. It focuses on determining how well lower-level students cope with their literature texts and also tests the hierarchical properties of Hillocks' taxonomy of skills in reading and interpreting fiction. (18 references) (LB)

In a reading comprehension study, random parallel reading comprehension tests in Japanese and English were administered to a sample of native Japanese students enrolled in intensive English instruction at three levels of English proficiency. Evidence for a threshold competence ceiling in both languages was found. (14 references) (Author/LB)

A comic book (accompanied by an audio cassette) was freely accessible to secondary students of English as a foreign language within a structured class setting of pre- and postreading activities. (10 references) (CNP)

Studied interrelationships among metacognitive abilities at the word level (phonemic awareness and metacognitive abilities in word identification), word identification skills, and reading comprehension for 55 year-5 Australian students (aged about 9-10 years). Metacognitive abilities at word level are related to reading comprehension directly and…

This study investigated the relationship between reading comprehension and oral storytelling abilities in 31 Latino junior high school students with learning handicaps. Although comparison of the standard scoring protocol and reading comprehension revealed no relationship, a significant correlation was found between story structure analysis and…

Self-regulation of 32 college students learning from instructional texts was studied through computer display and online assessment of self-regulatory activities. Online measures of self-regulation were associated with both text comprehension and knowledge applications, but offline verbal reports on self-regulation activities did not correlate…

Describes the use of reading guides as an interactive technique to stimulate comprehension. Provides an example using a popular novel. (MG)

Examines the effects of providing undergraduate learners with graphic illustrations of coordinate concept relationships to supplement text-based instruction. Half of those reading a specific passage received a graphic concept tree. That group outperformed those who did not, reporting significantly higher amounts of attenuation, confidence, and…

Provides three responses from reading professionals concerning a question about students who cannot relate story ideas after reading. Suggests determining the students' reading interests to help them find books which they will find more enjoyable. (MG)

This article addresses the planning of metacognitive instruction in reading, including such elements of metacognitive theory as metacognitive knowledge, self-regulation, comprehension monitoring, and regulation. Metacognitive goals for instruction, selected research in improving reading comprehension, and specific instructional implications for…

Discusses what research says about silent and oral reading and the implications this has for reading instruction and instruction in the content areas. States that students are more attentive during silent reading and participate more in follow-up discussions of silent reading than in oral reading. (MG)

Reports on an English-for-special-purposes (ESP) reading project that emphasizes the role of content comprehension. The project results suggest that the content comprehension approach can improve reading comprehension as well as knowledge of reading grammar and general reading ability. (45 references) (GLR)