Using refrigerator magnets, foam blocks, ink pads, and modeling clay, students manipulate the letters of the alphabet at multiple angles, reconstructing three-dimensional forms from two-dimensional data. This exercise increases students' spatial reasoning ability, an important component in many scientific disciplines. (Contains 5 figures.)

This study evaluated the ability of the kindergarten and first grade Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS), measures of early literacy development, to discriminate among low average, average, and above average students considered at risk emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) on the Total Reading cluster of the Woodcock…

Without a concise and accurate system for notating diction, singers often resort to phonetic spellings that may not convey the correct pronunciation. Modeling and echoing correct pronunciation during rehearsal is time-consuming, and often the reminders singers write into their scores on such occasions prove to be unclear during the next rehearsal.…

The ability of 20-24 month-old toddlers to recognize graphemes and phonemes was investigated by reading a "Phonic Faces" (PF) alphabet picture book. Phonic Faces iconically picture a letter in the mouth of a character producing the sound (the curve of the P looks like the top lip popping the /p/ sound). The book was composed of nine…

English-speaking children spell letters correctly more often when the letters' names are heard in the word (e.g., B in "beach" vs. "bone"). Hebrew letter names have been claimed to be less useful in this regard. In Study 1, kindergartners were asked to report and spell initial and final letters in Hebrew words that included full (CVC), partial…

This study determined the effectiveness of Kindergarten Peer-Assisted Learning Strategies (K-PALS) for students with disabilities. The researchers randomly assigned 89 kindergartners with individualized education programs (IEPs) from 47 classrooms to control (n = 9); K-PALS Level 1 (teachers received 1-day workshop; n = 19); or K-PALS Level 2…

A case against using traditional orthography (T.O.) as a learning medium and in favor of using the Initial Teaching Alphabet (i.t.a.) is presented. The following points were noted: (1) Most children are taught to read as we and our ancestors before us were by an alphabet which is at least 1,000 years old and took its form from the convenience and…

Reviews research studies of the i.t.a. and suggests areas for further investigation. (MM)

Problem behaviors early in the preschool year have been negatively linked to a variety of school readiness outcomes, including language, literacy and mathematics, both at the end of preschool and later on as children transition to elementary school. In order to inform preschool intervention efforts, the current study extends this research by…

Presenting activities, facts, and illustrations, this book takes learning the alphabet to a new level. After an introduction and a brief cartoon look at the history of the alphabet, the book presents 26 four-page mini-chapters (1 for each letter) that include a brief visual history of the letter; trivia tidbits; project ideas; a list of people,…

This paper defines the regularities which obtain in the orthographic representation of Russian morphemes and comments on their pedagogical value. (CHK)

This dictionary is divided into two main sections, each containing approximately 9,000 entries. In the first section, English to Cherokee, the information is organized in 3 columns. In column 1 are found English words in standard English orthography and in alphabetical order, in column 2 the romanized representation of the Cherokee translation and…

While it is appreciated that research on many of the details of early language learning is still required, one of the main themes of this paper is that solutions to the major problems of beginning reading are already known. In general, there has been a sufficiency of research, and what is now needed is action to implement the results already…

Three lexical decision experiments show that Serbo-Croatian letter-strings are ascribed two phonological readings simultaneously. This phonologic bivalence may impede lexical decision making if the letter-string has a lexical entry in one of the alphabets (Roman and Cyrillic). (RL)

Discusses an art project in which sixth grade students design alphabets by transforming the shapes of the letters into new designs that are still recognizable. Explains that students brainstorm ideas for their own lettering style. (CMK)