The Second Language Learning in the Primary School Project was developed to explore ways of providing for the special language needs of children from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds. The project focused on language skills, first-hand experiences, extensive use of spoken language, and children working together. Examples of this…

Offers adaptations of content area reading techniques that can help teachers integrate mainstreamed children into small groups with other members of their classes. Techniques include (1) the Jigsaw strategy, (2) the list-group-label strategy, and (3) the small group structured overview. (FL)

Discusses how children get to the point where they can, in the school setting, begin to learn languages effectively. Argues that language awareness needs to be related to the aim of improving language learning and examines how language awareness might be incorporated into both elementary and secondary school curriculums. (SED)

Describes a study that factor analyzed questionnaire data and compared factor scores of good and poor college-level readers to determine the text-learning strategies of each group. Results, which indicate poor readers rely heavily on study strategies without an understanding of the text to be studied, have implications for remedial reading…

Purposes of the study were to determine whether training children to compare different parts of text improves detection of text errors and whether self-controlled training of comparison produces more durable use of the strategy. Children offered a self-instructional routine monitored comprehension better than did subjects given minimal training.…

Describes semantic mapping, an effective strategy for vocabulary instruction that involves the categorical structuring of information in graphic form and requires students to relate new words to their own experience and prior knowledge. (HOD)

Role-playing games and simulations offer revolutionary ways to learn and solve problems. Some games/simulations that can be used to explore and evaluate possible futures are described. The future of educational games is also discussed. (RM)

Proposes four guidelines to help educators evaluate vocabulary instruction: (1) instruction should help students relate new vocabulary to their background knowledge, (2) instruction should help students develop elaborated word knowledge, (3) instruction should provide for active student involvement, and (4) instruction should develop students'…

Specifies some of the different word learning tasks students face, describes different levels of word knowledge, notes three types of costs involved in instruction, and discusses the costs and benefits of some specific methods of vocabulary instruction. (HOD)

Assesses the hazards of models of cognitive development and the positivist views of language that support them. Considers how alternative views of language and learning can help develop a method of teaching that views reading and writing as interpretation and the making of meaning. (RBW)

Argues that the comprehension of metaphor depends on recognition of the similarities and differences in the semantic features of the words representing both sides of the metaphoric equation. Suggests that inexperienced poetry readers are usually unable to analyze these semantic features without assistance. Outlines a strategy for helping these…

Using a question-and-answer format, this article presents information to help schools become more familiar with the concept of learning styles. Students appear to be able to identify their preferences and absorb more in environments that complement their strengths. (DF)

Current research in learning style and reading indicates that students' reading achievement and attitudes improve significantly when students are taught to read through their individual styles. Research topics that support this conclusion are listed and implications for improving reading research are discussed. (DF)

Tested the 16-item Study of Children's Learning Styles rating scale with 1,513 kindergarten children from diverse backgrounds. Principal components factor analysis revealed three distinct styles of learning-related behavior: Avoidant, Inattentive, and Overly Independent. Each style was related to other behavioral dimensions not devoted exclusively…

The renewed interest in teaching thinking skills results from concern about the failings of the current system. Some thinking skills programs emphasize cognitive processes, while others are concerned with heuristics, development of formal operations, language and symbols, or thinking as subject matter. (TE)