Examines the differential effects of reading guides on text comprehension and the transfer of strategies learned through the use of the guides to new material. Finds that students using reading guides had higher comprehension test scores and greater transfer than those who did not. (SR)

Investigates the effects of explicitly cuing graphic aids in accompanying text. Finds (1) explicit cuing increases attention to graphic aids and recall of information displayed in graphic aids, and (2) poor readers' comprehension of illustrated text is improved by explicit cuing of graphic aids. (RS)

Investigates whether it is worthwhile to spend time teaching children in the intermediate grades to derive the meaning of words through morphological analysis. Proposes a stage model of morphological analysis which supports morphological teaching at grade four and above. (RS)

Investigates the effects of reader perspective and cognitive style on encoding, storage, and retrieval processes. Finds that structural characteristics of the text itself may affect storage and retrieval processes but not encoding processes, and that reader perspective shows no effect on a delayed recognition test. (RS)

Argues that current social studies textbooks lack coherent formats, decipherable vocabulary, clearly written paragraphs, and presume background information which students lack. Presents a lesson which combines information from research in reading and cooperative learning techniques in an attempt to encourage discussion of information and eventual…

Investigates the relationships among teachers' stated theoretical orientation to reading and several psychological measures. States that teacher educators need to be creative and intentional to reach all varieties of learners. Cautions that no single methodology should ever be mandated by administrators. (MG)

Introduces teachers to the development and use of story maps as a tool for promoting reading comprehension. Presents a definition and review of story map research. Explains how to construct story maps, and offers suggestions for starting story map instruction. Provides variations on the use of story maps. (MG)

Reviews literature related to content area teachers' attitudes toward teaching reading. Suggests that content area teachers need to know more about reading skills in their content areas, that they are willing to enroll in content area reading courses, and that such coursework results in an application of techniques learned. (MG)

Examines previous research on extensive reading, and describes an experiment comparing the improvement of reading comprehension by Japanese college freshmen taught by either a skills-based or extensive reading procedure. Results suggest that extensive reading may be at least as effective as skills building, with the important advantage that it is…

Examines the effects of headings and adjunct questions embedded in expository text on the delayed multiple-choice test performance of college students. Finds that headings may promote the organization of passage information so as to increase its general availability, while the overall effect of adjunct questions was not significant. (MM)

Compares the effectiveness of direct instruction and basal reading instruction in basic word attack and comprehension skills. Finds students' acquisition of basic sight word vocabulary to be greater when taught by direct instruction than by basal instruction. (RS)

Investigates three policy issues in two school districts: classification of students for various educational services; the impact of these practices on reading instruction; and implications of the classification-reading relationship for providing quality education for all students. Finds that broad discretion in program implementation adversely…

Examines how paraphrasing, formulating questions, comparing and contrasting, and completing matching exercises on worksheets affect recall of information. Concludes that the quality of inferences differed according to the writing task, with question writing and compare-contrast tasks generating more new information, while question writing results…

Describes several studies examining how children become skilled at processing graphic cues. Reports that prereaders do not acquire graphic skills by learning to read signs and labels in their environment. Concludes that mastery of letters is required for processing graphic cues. (MM)

Evaluates the effectiveness of a home tutoring reading program for elementary school children which was designed to improve reading skills and academic self-concept. Finds that all subjects demonstrated improvement in reading skills, and reports positive changes in children's self-concept. (RAE)