Two distinguishing characteristics of early readers are superior sound blending and visual memory skills. (RB)

Responds to a previous study which suggested that college professors who teach preservice reading courses cannot agree on what should be taught. (See EJ 129 240) (RB)

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of independent reading on reading ability. The study, conducted in an East Tennessee middle school, consisted of 21 randomly selected students who read a book of their choice at least 20 minutes every day at school and 22 students that did not. The study lasted for 12 weeks. The students were…

this publication is the second in the Research-Based Practices in Early Reading Series published by the Regional Educational Laboratory at Pacific Resources for Education and Learning. Of the many compelling reasons for providing students with instruction to build vocabulary, none is more important than the contribution of vocabulary knowledge…

First published in 1934 and updated in 1965 and 1986, Nila Banton Smith's "American Reading Instruction" has provided insight and historical perspective to reading instruction in the United States beginning with the colonial era. This "Special Edition" addresses such areas as theories and practical applications; established and…

Treatment characteristics and methods were analyzed for 103 empirical studies of reading therapy, or bibliotherapy, from the United States and Canada conducted over the past two decades and retrieved from the PsychInfo database. A content analysis was performed on each study, and quantified data was reported and compared within and between two…

This article presents summaries of research on 13 core understandings about learning to read, from "Building a Knowledge Base in Reading" (Jane Braunger and Jan Patricia Lewis). In the article, each core understanding is followed by activity ideas and strategies useful for tutors--these activities were created with one-on-one tutoring in…

A study explored the holistic nature of reading failure from the perspective of those who have endured the emotional and intellectual burden of not being able to read. Reading failure is frequently viewed from a fragmented, reductionist perspective. Getting to know and understand the individual's perception of literacy failure is ignored in the…

This collection of articles commemorates the 30th anniversary of an influential study by Guy Bond and Robert Dykstrain reading research, known as the First-Grade Studies. These articles provide a view of the historical implications of the First-Grade Studies and how the Studies continue to provide valuable insights for those who seek answers about…

A study examined the contribution of morphological knowledge to the reading and spelling achievement of fourth grade children. Results in the study were expected to indicate that morphology contributes to reading and spelling achievement beyond phonological and orthographic awareness. Participants were 58 native English-speaking fourth graders…

This paper provides a literary review and research-based techniques for teaching reading. The paper also examines the different philosophies of reading to ascertain beneficial commonalities. Based on the literature review, a manual was produced to support administrators, teachers, and parents in securing quality reading instruction. Appendix A…

This report discusses a program to increase student self-esteem in order to improve student reading achievement. The targeted population consisted of students in grades first, second, and third. The study took place in the northwestern suburbs of a large metropolitan area in Illinois. The problems of low self-esteem and low reading achievement…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences of third grade students' reading achievement who have experienced the Reading Renaissance approach to reading instruction (a comprehensive program that balances a reading curriculum with an intensive regimen of reading practice, proven motivational techniques, and state-of-the-art…

This report describes strategies for increasing levels of interest in reading for enjoyment. The targeted population consisted of first, second, and third grade students in three elementary school districts. The schools were located in middle class and affluent suburban communities of a large city in the Midwest. The problem of lack of interest in…