A study examined the effectiveness of the Writing-to-Read Computer Program in elementary school language arts education. The program is designed to teach children to read through interacting with a computer by learning sound/symbol relationships and by composing stories. First through fourth graders from predominantly black, urban schools and from…

Designed to tap the rich collection of instructional techniques in the ERIC database, this compilation of lesson plans focuses on reading strategies for the primary grades. The 40 lesson plans in this book offer practical suggestions for the teacher on how to: (1) get started with beginning reading; (2) facilitate comprehension through vocabulary…

Intended for elementary teachers, reading specialists, curriculum directors, and teacher trainers, this book provides readers with conceptual and theoretical insights and compelling accounts of classroom practice. The book argues that teaching and learning work best when they occur within a community of learners. The book provides interpretations…

The Boulder Public Library offered a one-to-one free literacy program aimed at middle-class nonreaders. During the fiscal year October 1988 to September 1989, the program matched 60 new students with volunteer tutors; of these, 52 enrolled, boosting enrollment to 90 students. The program also conducted assessment tests on 72 students and…

This paper reviews the literature relative to the theory and practice of literature-based reading instruction, and seeks to bring clarity concerning the concept of literature-based reading instruction. The paper points out that from a theoretical point of view advocates of literature-based reading instruction draw upon the whole language…

Originally developed for the Department of Defense Schools (DoDDS) system, this learning package on applying various comprehension strategies is designed for teachers who wish to upgrade or expand their teaching skills on their own. The package includes a comprehensive search of the ERIC database; a lecture giving an overview on the topic; the…

Hypothesizing that severely language delayed children lack sufficient understanding of causal structure to comprehend stories, a reading program concentrated on developing the causal reasoning of 10 children between the ages of 10 and 12 with a verbal intelligence quotient two to three years below average. Instructional activities in the…

A study investigated whether reading ability is a significant factor in the level of student writing apprehension and whether writing apprehension is reduced as reading skills improve. Subjects were 49 college freshmen enrolled in a reading improvement course that was directed toward learning in three domains: (1) cognitive--knowledge, synthesis,…

The Adult English as a Second Language Diagnostic Reading Test was developed under Adult Education Demonstration Funding. It is designed for English as a Second Language students in adult education or community college programs. The purpose is to diagnose reading strengths and weaknesses for a student or groups of students as well as to provide…

The curricular and extracurricular responsibilities of teaching in a small school district require uniquely prepared teachers. Rural teachers often need additional background in instructional methods for teaching reading, content areas other than their specialty, discipline techniques, use of community resources, and individualized diagnosis and…

This activity guide is designed to help elementary school students understand the concept of the main idea in reading and writing. Four sections present class discussion activities, pencil and paper activities, learning center ideas, and games. Most of the activities involve reading or writing; however, the pencil and paper activities and learning…

Drawn from an annual symposium held at the University of Guam to recognize and encourage scholarly activities of graduate students in the reading education department and to promote continued interdepartmental dialogue on the teaching of reading, the papers in this compilation deal with the prerequisites for effective reading instruction. Topics…

To provide a consistent framework for evaluating competing reading methods and materials, an assessment instrument was devised to help over 100 inservice educators evaluate the middle grade components of five nationally used basal reader programs: the Holt Basic Reading System; the Open Court Correlated Language Arts Program, the Ginn Reading 360…

When elementary school teachers serve on a committee to select a new basal reader program, they must represent their school's unique needs. To develop their awareness, the selection committee should address such questions as: What kind of program improvements are teachers hoping to get? What kind of articulation will be needed between this program…

This basal reading series cross-reference guide can help educators (1) place students transfering from another basal program; (2) select appropriate enrichment basal programs to satisfy school district policies; (3) identify and select reinforcement skill exercises from other basal programs; (4) identify basal reading materials with similar skills…