Before working with middle school gifted students, the teacher should be aware of the characteristics and learning style preferences of these students. For example, the years from 9 to 13 are a time of physical, social, emotional, and cognitive change--also called an "age of ambivalence." Many of these students tackle decision making sooner and…

A study investigated whether the reading preferences of emotionally disturbed boys were the same as the interests of boys in the general population. Subjects, 25 boys from a private residential treatment center for emotionally disturbed boys, were interviewed individually, completed a reading interest survey, and selected titles of books they…

Researchers investigating study strategies have observed that the textbooks themselves often contribute to students' comprehension and learning difficulties. Teachers, by being aware of qualities of inconsiderate texts, can identify poorly written texts, can prepare students for difficulties in upcoming sections of the text, and can instruct…

Prepared as a guide for teachers, parents, and librarians, this handbook presents guidelines for developing a collection of movable action books (also called pop-ups, movables, surprise books, lift-the-flap books, or novelty books) appropriate for use with children in the home or school setting. Following a brief description of action books, their…

Employing a body of texts for the reading and study of literature in the English classroom leads to much argumentation, with much disagreement about what is fair game for the writing student. To help determine which texts to select it is necessary to define cultural literacy in a different way from that of E. D. Hirsch. Hirsch would prescribe…

The 1200 books, published from 1985 through 1987, were selected to provide pleasurable reading for high school students. Annotated entries, listed by author, provide the title, publisher, year of publication, length, type: fiction or nonfiction, and are arranged alphabetically under 47 main categories. These include: (1) adventure and survival;…

Two hundred ninety-nine stories from the 1974 and 1981 Houghton-Mifflin primary- and intermediate-level basal readers were analyzed to determine if there had been any changes in the ways males and females were portrayed. The data indicated that sex role stereotypes still exist in children's literature. Though there was an improvement in the number…

To determine what procedures and criteria are being used in states with state-wide textbook adoption and to determine what similarities and differences might exist from state to state, state textbook administrators in such states were asked to respond to a 39-item questionnaire and to supply materials that explained their states' procedures and…

The responses of 422 fourth, fifth, and sixth grade students were analyzed in a survey that sought (1) to determine what poems selected for the survey were most enjoyed by the students; (2) to analyze the most popular poems considering such characteristics as the form, content, certain poetic elements, and age of the poem; and (3) to determine any…

The first grade study suggested that books that interest inner city children interest suburban children. (JH)

This annotated bibliography lists the reading research that was published in England during 1976. An introduction highlights specific research on reading tests and standards, dyslexia and specific reading retardation, remedial reading, reading development, and reading material selection. The booklet's sections list research reported in articles or…

Middle-school students, called "transescent learners," are at an age during which they undergo physical and intellectual changes that affect them emotionally and socially, causing confused thinking and insecure feelings. This paper offers seven guidelines to help the middle-school teacher select and present reading materials that enhance learning…

Hundreds of suitable books are available to include in a reading program to supplement the prescribed social studies curriculum. Gordon Parks's book "The Learning Tree" reflects three criteria teachers should consider when selecting books for use in a supplementary reading program. First, the story has what one reader called "cool…

The study and teaching of literature is the emphasis of this special journal issue. The nine articles included in the issue discuss the following: (1) time and social class in William Faulkner's "A Rose for Emily," (2) Robert Frost's "Yankee Ironist," (3) an approach to teaching "Moby Dick," (4) using games to review…

Several practical methods are presented in this handbook designed to aid the science teacher in the incorporation of reading strategies into the science curriculum. Included are suggestions for assessing the reading levels of science students and textbooks students will be using in the classrooms. Examples and illustrations are provided to clarify…