Review of 48 studies concerning interventions designed to impact the reading comprehension of students with learning disabilities suggests that strong effect sizes are more likely when researchers compare experimental treatment to nontreatment, deliver treatment themselves rather than have classroom teachers deliver it, and assess treatment…

Elementary and middle school teachers surveyed in rural South Dakota indicated that a combination of phonics, skills, and holistic instruction occurred most often in their reading programs. This suggests that most school districts take an eclectic approach to reading instruction and use the best components from various approaches. (LP)

It is proposed that both home and classroom reading activities influence writing skill acquisition. Relevant research in first- and second-language learning is reviewed and use of reading and independent reading to enhance writing skill acquisition is discussed. Extensive use of these activities in the French immersion classroom is recommended.…

Two experiments examined the role of phonemic processing in disabled readers. The first involved disabled and nondisabled second and fourth grade readers' ability to identify and discriminate phonemes. The second examined the effect of phonemic stimuli training on disabled readers who performed poorly in the first experiment. Training…

Analyzes the effects of eight reading and writing lessons designed to increase adolescent thinking ability. Finds that the lessons increased thinking abilities and scholastic achievement of middle school students. Notes that the lessons positively affect students' self-esteem and communication skills. (RS)

Explores the validity of the reading comprehension skills distinctiveness hypothesis. Finds that results argue for a unitary or holistic view of reading comprehension and suggest increasing the time students spend in sustained reading of self-selected materials as a means for improving students' reading comprehension. (MG)

This article presents an empirical basis for the relationship between reading and writing, a theoretical socio-historical model of teaching and learning that highlights the purposeful nature of both reading and writing as creating meaning, and instructional strategies for creating literacy events that promote learning-disabled students'…

Examines the instructional beliefs and practices in reading of second and third grade teachers in selected schools in the United States and Australia. Compares the results to those of an earlier study. Finds that changes have occurred in both countries regarding the types of questions posed during reading instruction and the amount of praise used.…

Seven poor readers (ages 11-12) were trained in reading comprehension strategies using reciprocal teaching procedures in resource rooms and were instructed to employ the strategies in their homeroom classes. The combination of reciprocal teaching and transenvironmental programing was effective in facilitating subjects' unprompted use of relevant…

Discussion of Lois Lenski's children's books focuses on the realism that predominates in her work through the use of real-life observation as opposed to imagination alone. Ways to use her work as part of a whole language approach to teach reading as well as science, geography, and social studies are suggested. (23 references) (LRW)

Most of these fully-developed library media activities are to be used in connection with specific curriculum units: art (paper marbling, grades 4-9); reading/language arts (national holiday customs, grades 1-6; Robin Hood, grades 4-5); science (zoo animals, grades K-2; the aurora borealis, grades 7-9; identifying and feeding birds (grades 2-3);…

This study examined the construct validity of curriculum-based measures of oral reading fluency from basal reading programs. Twelve special education students (grades 2-5) were monitored for oral fluency using 2 reading curricula (their instructional curriculum and the mainstream reading curriculum) throughout the academic year. Performance…

A beginning language arts teacher of students with hearing impairments describes his development from a teacher with well-prepared lectures determined to be in control at all times to a teacher who sees his role as helping to empower students to control their own learning. Several books helpful in this transition are noted. (DB)

Research of cognitive scientists is resulting in new learning theories through which students can move from novice to expert. How cognitive scientists work and how their results are applied are discussed. Reciprocal teaching, as implemented in the Springfield (Illinois) schools, provides an example of a successful research-based technique. (SLD)

Describes the steps in a Language Experience Approach (LEA) to teaching English-as-a-Second-Language lesson, suggests different starters and followup activities for LEA lessons, and indicates ways of handling some problems. (seven references) (Author)