This study examined effects of immersing four primary grade students with mild mental retardation in a literacy-rich environment. A variety of instructional strategies was used to assist students in understanding stories read aloud by adults, developing decoding skills, and developing prereading/writing skills. Results indicated the students made…

Early literacy involves daily reading aloud as well as writing or dictating activities. Preschoolers learn that reading is enjoyable, pictures provide story clues, and print goes from left to right and represents words and meaning. Listening, watching, and asking questions increase vocabulary and comprehension. Sidebars include tips, a book list,…

This bibliography is a listing of resources which provide information about the involvement of parents and guardians in the process of the education of their children. The items listed are housed in the Library, Instructional Resources Unit, Manitoba Education and Training section of the provincial government. The bibliography is divided into two…

A study examined the early literacy experiences of rural disabled children, ages 3-8. Data originated from a subset of the National Household Education Survey of 1995 that included 1,316 families with disabled children and 8,009 families with nondisabled children. Participants were asked about their race/ethnicity, education level, native…

Dealing with the critical years from birth through kindergarten, this micromonograph answers parents' questions about when and how to prepare a child for reading. The pamphlet discusses in depth these suggestions: (1) talking and reading to the child, (2) letting the child read and write, (3) being a model of reading and writing behavior, and (4)…

A study examined young children's emergent reading abilities through analysis of their assisted storybook interactions. Twelve storybooks were read to 41 preschool children during a two-week period preceding interviews. During the interviews, each child was asked to "read" a favorite storybook aloud to a stuffed animal and to the…

A study examined the relationship between reading instruction method, sex of learner, word learning proficiency and reading achievement in the first grade. Subjects were 78 males and 88 females chosen from two white, middle class suburban schools, one having a sight vocabulary instruction program, the other a phonic basal program. Students were…

The All Day Kindergarten (ADK) Program of the Columbus (Ohio) Public Schools was established to provide a full day of instruction for underachieving kindergarten pupils. The program concentrated on preparing pupils for successful learning experiences in first grade by providing them with an extra half day of instruction. The program served 571…

This collection of abstracts is part of a continuing series providing information on recent doctoral dissertations. The 26 titles deal with a variety of topics, including the following: (1) a structured and an unstructured approach to kindergarten instruction and their effects on reading readiness for the first grade; (2) effects of exposure to…

Based on information gained in two longitudinal research studies of the beginning reading process, this book offers insights into the detection and prevention of reading failure. The 13 chapters of the book deal with the following topics: barriers to the early identification of reading problems, preschool experiences, school entry, early reading…

Prereading assessment was first used to predict school readiness and was an assessment of the child's visual and oral vocabulary skills. By the 1970s, readiness assessment had changed from assessment of a child's developmental probability for success or failure in reading to an assessment of the child's skill development in relation to the reading…

This teacher's guide is composed of reading readiness activities for kindergarteners designed to: (1) lead from teacher-directed instruction toward independent learning and reinforcement activities; (2) help the teacher build on each child's previous background while teaching new learning strategies; and (3) emphasize six readiness areas…

Twenty culturally deprived children planning to enter first grade in the fall attended an 8-week half-day summer program in which a systematic classroom management program utilizing token reinforcement and isolation techniques was combined with a strong academic program. One hour and 40 minutes was allotted daily to pre-reading and language…

Reading innovations incorporated into the Newton, Massachusetts, school system are discussed. The program emphasizes individual differences, the influence of the home environment in developing attitudes towards reading, and the importance of prereading experiences for kindergarten children. The basal reading program, the individualized reading…

This primer picture book may be used in various games and activities to extend the child's vocabulary and to provide pre-reading practice in letter and sound identification, categorization, and audio-visual discrimination. (Author/SK)