The article describes what electronic books are, notes how easy they are to use, and explains why teachers might consider using electronic books to motivate their students in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. (SM)

Investigates the effectiveness of instruction in story mapping as a means to promote first-grade students' comprehension of central story elements in children's literature. Concludes that instruction in story mapping is an effective instructional strategy for promoting first-grade students' ability to identify central narrative elements in…

Investigated whether specific strategies of commenting or questioning by the adult reader would influence the complexity and type of spontaneous comments to story details made by children listening to stories. Results suggest that parents and teachers should combine questioning and commenting during storybook readings to induce lengthier comments…

Reports a study which examined the effects of direct instruction on the think-aloud protocols of ninth grade readers. Students made think-aloud protocols on two stories before and after instruction. Although the instruction did not substantially affect students' interpretive operations in reading, some students were less submissive to the text.…

Expresses frustration concerning teachers relying on reading activities about stories, rather than on the stories themselves. Discusses: parents reacting to their children's choice of stories; using stories on video; stories for children reading below grade level; lack of confidence in the power of stories; whole language and writing; invented…

Investigates whether listening to stories in literary Arabic would have salutary effects on kindergarten children's emergent literacy skills. Finds that children in the experimental classes outperformed control classes on comprehension and active use of language. Concludes that children can acquire a second register through exposure in school…

A retired library school professor discusses his current involvement with children's literature and library story hours. He describes his experiences learning to do story telling; choosing stories; and using puppets, music, and fingerplays at a local public library. Sources of information are recommended. (Contains 12 references.) (EAM)

Presents storytelling as a way to teach students about African societies. The article explains how to teach storytelling and how to branch out into other related educational activities. A tale from Ghana suitable for bulletin-board use and a student activity page on African proverbs are included. (SM)

A fifth grade teacher describes how by reading classic literature aloud to her students each day, she helped them along the road to literature-based learning. She discusses the advantages of the whole-language approach. (SM)

Five mothers of preschool children with mild language delays were taught strategies to encourage children to verbally participate during story-reading sessions. Mothers increased use of praise and expansions concurrent with the introduction of training on each strategy and children showed increases in the number and length of conversations.…

The most important activity for encouraging reading success is reading aloud, particularly during the preschool years. Presents information on: the benefits of reading aloud, making reading aloud enjoyable, what to do if a child resists, when to stop reading aloud, what to do if a child wants to look ahead in the book, and what comes after picture…

The introduction of historical and philosophical readings to outdoor education settings serves many purposes: inspiration to share personal stories, a sense of continued tradition, links across time to current practices, a way to frame complex notions of being, and opportunities for new understandings of outdoor experiences and clarification of…

A classroom-wide intervention on direction following, sharing, and problem solving was embedded in a story and song format for 53 Head Start children. Results indicate significant improvements for participants on adaptive behaviors, social interaction, and attentional measures. Children at risk for behavior disorders either significantly improved…

This study investigated the effects of teaching mothers of low socioeconomic status (SES) to use decontextualized language during storybook reading with their preschool-age children. A multiple baseline design across behaviors and participants evaluated the effects of the intervention for five dyads. Mothers' and children's use of decontextualized…

Theme-based tests provide an assessment tool that instructs as well as provides a single general context for a broad set of biochemical concepts. A single story line connects the questions on the tests and models applications of scientific principles and biochemical knowledge in an extended scenario. Theme-based tests are based on a set of…