Examines the differences in the effectiveness of whole language and traditional instruction in end-of-the-year reading, writing, and spelling achievement for children with varying levels of incoming phonemic awareness, reading, and writing ability. Finds that neither program was more likely to close gaps between children high or low in these…

This study, involving 8 Hispanic males (ages 7-10) with speech/language impairments, found that having the teacher discuss a story's key words and read aloud while students read the story silently was more effective than just having students read orally and more effective than discussing key words and having students read silently. (Author/JDD)

A followup of 380 limited-English-speaking Hispanic children in 20 Texas elementary schools found that most acquired English oral language skills at expected rates and were reading in English at expected levels by third grade. Reading achievement was related to instructional factors and early oral competence in either language. Contains 22…

Reanalysis of data from a study by G. G. Duffy and others (1987) identifies changes in the knowledge of cognition (KOC) of 177 poor readers in the third grade over an academic year and the association of changes with strategy use and comprehension. KOC's role in reading is discussed. (SLD)

Presents a study of the effect of differences in reading strategies on the construction of meaning from novel length text. Discusses relevant psychological theory. Hypothesizes effects of differing strategies in reading the book "Animal Farm." Concludes that teacher-directed reading provides a depth of meaning not found when students…

Identifies factors, both helpful and obstructive, influencing teachers' transition from basal to a whole-language curriculum. Observations from two first-grade classrooms and interviews with school principals and two classroom teachers (one whole-language veteran and the other in transition into whole language) are evaluated. (GLR)

Two types of instructional adaptation were explored: routine adaptation (the extent to which teachers establish initial routines to facilitate ongoing adaptation) and specialized adaptation (how teachers modify instructional plans in light of student difficulty). Participants were 110 general educators. (Author/SM)

Includes testimonials to, and previously published articles by, Ken Jones on categories in simulation; simulations in secondary schools, reading instruction, and English-as-a-Second-Language; simulations as assessment tools; aspects of design; differences in race, gender, and perceived ability and performance; influence of national culture;…

The Fairfax County (Virginia) Schools have developed a pilot program, Success by Eight, that groups students ages 5 to 8 for different types of learning, based on performance in each subject. By restructuring K-2 classes into multiple, flexible groups, the program provides opportunities for continuous learning and development during critical…

In response to a legislative mandate to teach phonics, a rural North Carolina school district devised a plan where at-risk children received small-group instruction in phonics, reading, writing, and spelling in addition to regular reading instruction. A local university trained teacher assistants to implement the plan. Reading, writing, and…

Provides five fully developed library media activities that are designed for use with specific curriculum units in art, reading, language arts, science, and social studies. Describes library media skills, curriculum objectives, grade levels, resources, instructional roles, procedures, evaluation, and follow-up for each activity. (LRW)

Explores some of the theory and practice in English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) reading and identifies two academic fields of inquiry with much to offer ESL students, that is, cognitive instructional theory and cognitive science. The article poses questions asked by teachers who have ESL students in their classrooms and provides answers by ESL…

Study explored differences in conversational power by comparing discourse in whole language and traditional basal second-grade classrooms. Researchers compared the contextual setting and discourse of rug-time during reading instruction in the classrooms. Results suggested two contrasts between teachers' rug-time discourse: imposed versus generated…

Discusses new approaches in assessment development and describes two examples of English-as-a-Second-Language assessment recently developed in Australia. The article places these approaches within the context of state responses to linguistic and cultural diversity and demonstrates the implications of the differences between them. (85 references)…

Describes an eighth-grade communications arts classroom at Richard R. Green Middle School in the Bronx, New York, where respect has become a powerful motivator for students. Relates how students have responded positively to being treated as intelligent young adults who can learn, and how that has contributed to the students' success. (TJQ)