Discusses the Accelerated Reader software program and describes a project conducted with fourth grade students that investigated strategies for teaching reading and writing comprehension. Topics include generative learning theory; higher order thinking skills; generating original reading comprehension questions; and thinking maps and question…

Explains a case study in Retrospective Miscue Analysis (RMA), a process which enables readers to discuss the underlying logic of their miscues. Concludes that RMA is a powerful tool in crafting and guiding reading instruction. Notes that when the student subject was encouraged to use reading strategies that worked for him, he became empowered as a…

Discusses how early childhood educators can use reading lessons as part of a global curriculum and help children develop an understanding of other peoples and their customs. Includes criteria for choosing international books as early reader selections, and annotated lists of picture books for beginning readers, chapter books for young readers, and…

An Oregon school district implemented an approach to reading that goes beyond instruction to prevention. Starting in kindergarten, the model features regular assessment, direct instruction, small-group instruction, and training for all teachers and assistants. At-risk kindergartners get extra reading instruction. Today, only 2 percent of kids…

Describes arts-based, anchored instruction at Fair Arts IMPACT Elementary School (Columbus, Ohio), a five-week program centered around "Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte" (Georges Seurat). Addresses unit objectives such as understanding social climate with respect to race/gender discrimination and examining why people…

The need for phoneme awareness and methods of fostering phoneme awareness are discussed, along with available assessment measures, research findings, and phonological awareness training programs. Educators are urged to use phoneme awareness techniques for assessment and remediation when appropriate. (CR)

Discusses the importance of the home setting for the development of literacy. The article focuses on a pilot study employing homelike interactive models in classroom settings. Results reveal that pupils of low socioeconomic status in an experimental group, who were exposed systematically to series books in English, had higher reading comprehension…

Provides an annotated bibliography of nine current articles from the ERIC database on using computers as instructional tools. Includes articles related to computer uses in reading and writing classes; for spelling improvement; to accommodate learning disabled students; and for speech, sign, or foreign-language courses. (AJL)

Principles of "shared reading," in which a book is read by the teacher, then by teacher and students together, and then by the students independently, are discussed and applied to language acquisition and reading instruction of deaf and hearing impaired children. Students use the book to help them write and compare English and American…

A teacher of elementary deaf students describes the value of using "big books," which allow groups of students to share text and pictures, as an effective learning resource both for deaf students and for older students with learning disabilities. Seventeen big books in such areas as multicultural education, science and industry,…

Most students who are deaf or hard of hearing do not read proficiently. When adults read regularly to these students, the students' language and literacy abilities improve. Ten essential practices for adults to use when reading aloud are presented with examples. Also included are activities in which students read to adults. Contains 24 references.…

Primary teachers completed the Theoretical Orientation to Reading Profile and Primary Teacher Questionnaire to determine their endorsement of developmentally appropriate practice. Results indicated a substantial congruence between the constructs underlying the notion of developmentally appropriate practice and those that are fundamental to a whole…

Examines a conceptual framework for refining the notion of academic responding according to a learning hierarchy. Describes treatment components that correspond to different stages of the learning hierarchy. Reviews research on the relationship between different treatment components and student responding and makes recommendations for the practice…

Using three complementary motivation theories, analyzes the difficulties of a student who had been termed a "resistant reader." Lists 12 questions, emanating from three theories, to guide the analysis of factors contributing to the child's avoidance of reading. Each question is accompanied by strategies to encourage reading. Labels the…

Evaluated Hong Kong Chinese kindergarten children's literacy development through dialogic reading, typical reading, and control groups. Found that early literacy-related activities in the home have strong effects on literacy growth and language development in Chinese. Concluded that success of the dialogic reading technique contributes to the goal…