Offers brief descriptions of 22 books (both fiction and nonfiction) that middle schoolers may enjoy, that deal with sports, including some that focus on girls in sports. (SR)

Presents annotations of 12 novels for young adults. Encourages teachers to give their students books to read because it often makes a difference. (SG)

Blends the authors' voices with those of RTEACHER listerv members to explore the good and bad news about leveled text. Suggests the concept has involved teachers in questioning how they select texts for reading instruction; but the greatest challenge is a shift in emphasis from acquiring extensive collections of leveled books to learning more…

An examination and comparison of reading materials intended for elementary and intermediate Italian second-language instruction looks at these aspects: the role of the "ancillary" reader in language instruction; selecting readers that facilitate achievement of the Standards of Foreign Language Learning; the dichotomy between literary and cultural…

Presents brief summaries of 26 children's books (published between 1996 and 2001) about physiology, health and sexuality, and sports and recreation. Also presents new books of professional interest that might provoke some visceral reaction from their reading. (SG)

Presents a 25-item annotated bibliography for beginning readers, 30 items for young readers, 19 items for intermediate readers, and 24 items for advanced readers--all selected by children. Gives tips for parents, primary caregivers, and educators. Describes the Children's Choice project and book selection. (SG)

Discovers two alternative teen magazines: "Teen Voices" and "Reluctant Hero." Shares her discussions she had with the editors of the magazines. Offers a reflective comment on conceptions of identity in these and other teen magazines. (SG)

Explores teachers' use of trade books as part of the science curriculum. Finds that teachers considered content, visual features, readability, and developmental appropriateness, as well as potential uses for the books that they selected. Contemplates the role of text in elementary science instruction, including its place in supporting teachers…

Presents annotations of 30 children's books published in 1999, steeped in language, yet diverse in genre, subject, and style selected as notable for their potential to enhance language awareness among children in grades K-8. (SG)

Children's books are an important classroom resource for the study of animals because it is not practical for students to study many animals in their natural habitat. This article is the result of a collaborative research project undertaken by a science methods specialist and a children's literature specialist. We analyzed books about animals that…

This article presents an interview with Cassandra Barnett, a school library media specialist at Fayetteville (Arkansas) High School. She is also a member of the AASL Learning Standards Rewrite Task Force, which has been working on developing AASL's new National Learning Standards. Fayetteville schools experienced multiple challenges during…

This action research project was developed in order to increase student literacy, particularly in the area of reading, for students who were considered at-risk. The targeted student population was 2nd grade students who were served within a primary cross-categorical special education program. The classroom was housed in an elementary (K-2) school,…

The pervasive nature of the Internet, both in society and in America's schools, leads teacher educators to wonder how this dynamic tool is being utilized in the classroom and, especially, if it is benefiting students' understanding. This study analyzed 127 Web sites self-reported by in-service teachers as excellent for teaching. From these data, a…

Reading aloud makes important contributions to young children's literacy development, but some methods of reading aloud are much more beneficial than others. Researchers have investigated ways to make read-aloud sessions more meaningful for children, and several methods have emerged as particularly effective. This article examines the role of…

Based in a constructivist paradigm, socio-cultural views of literacy place a high degree of importance on how students connect to what they read. This means that instruction must follow constructivist principles and allow ample opportunity for discussion and learner-centered activities. In addition, this framework requires careful attention be…