A pilot study investigated whether a short training program increased the number of questions involving higher level thinking used by preservice teachers in teaching fiction. Subjects, 22 students enrolled in an elementary reading methods course in a state university in the Northwest, completed pre- and posttests and the training program during…

A companion to "The Reading Environment," this book is concerned with getting groups of children to talk openly and confidently about their readings of particular books. Using a generous selection of transcripts of classroom discussions, the book shows how children can be encouraged to share their enthusiasms and difficulties and the…

This document discusses the state of science education in primary school before and after the introduction of the National Curriculum in 1989 established science as a core subject. The first half describes research and specific efforts to improve science education in the primary grades. It includes the following sections: (1) "Background to…

A manual and software package explain the development and use of the Special Education Survey, an instrument intended to aid states in developing inservice training and professional preparation programs. The instrument is based on the comprehensive system of personnel development as described by Public Law 94-142, the Education for All Handicapped…

The medical model of reading diagnosis, which presumes something is wrong with the reader that can be diagnosed and remediated, needs to be reexamined. The ability to use writing as a communication tool, for example, must be considered as part of diagnosis if the purpose is to determine how literate someone is. Diagnostic tasks must also reflect…

Studies of the pauses between teachers' questions and students' responses have indicated that lengthening wait-time produces significant improvement in intellectual performance. Two types of pauses have been identified: the pause after teachers pose questions and students respond, and the pause that takes place when students hesitate momentarily…

An approach to developing reading and listening comprehension skills in junior high, high school, and college students through song analysis is described in this brief article. AUTHOR'S COMMENT (excerpt): One of the best methods for gaining attention for a cause or idea is through finding or writing a song which becomes associated with the desired…

English teachers have given some attention to aesthetic reading, usually terming it the development of literary appreciation, but many of the classroom practices used to foster that appreciation have been counterproductive. One consideration in developing aesthetic reading has to do with the means for promoting reflection in readers. That is,…

Provides a simplified method of self-evaluation of lessons taught which is inexpensive and requires little training before utilization. (CP)

With proper inquiry into pertinent source material, a teacher can spark discussion and intelligent analysis of current issues on days when planned curriculum is not productive. Preplanning and questions for a discussion on Vietnam are offered as an example for teacher preparation. (DE)

Good teachers of reading should ask questions which link the research knowledge base in reading, effective teaching, and learning with proficient decision-making skills. These questions should focus on the content to be taught, the behaviors of the student, and the behaviors of the teacher. Content questions address central concepts, prior…

The purpose of this project was to develop, conduct, and evaluate a K-6 science inservice program for elementary school teachers. This program was conducted in six 3-hour workshop sessions and consisted of hands-on activities, problem-solving exercises, and large and small group discussions. The individual workshop sessions focused on…

A study examined the influence of discussion questions with a dual focus on important and implied text ideas in children's story understanding. Subjects, 106 third-grade children from 2 middle-sized Illinois cities were randomly assigned to 4 experimental groups and 1 control group. Their comprehension was measured with free and probed story…

An educational program called KIDSPEAK was designed to teach oral communication skills to children in grades three through six in four public and private school districts in Fargo, North Dakota and Moorhead, Minnesota. Topics which have been taught include: basic public speaking skills; oral reading; listening; creative expression and…