Fourth and sixth grade children differing in reading proficiency read and commented on brief expository passages containing three different types of embedded problems (nonsense words, prior knowledge violations, and internal inconsistencies). Half of the children were specificially instructed as to the types of standards they should apply in order…

A study examined students' ability to comprehend consistent or inconsistent text when activating relevant or irrelevant background knowledge. Fifty-five grade six students reading at or above grade level were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups: activated/consistent, nonactivated/consistent, activated/inconsistent, and…

A study investigated the effect of underlining, naturally occurring prior knowledge, induced prior knowledge, and placement order of text information on students' immediate and delayed recall of unfamiliar text. Two reading passages of approximately 800 words were generated on the topic of computers, each with sections of information judged…

A study investigated the effects of verbalizing comprehension strategies on reading achievement, self-efficacy, and ability attributions of 26 children in grades four and five. The subjects, who had reading comprehension deficiencies, received instruction practice and opportunities. Within each grade, half of the subjects verbalized strategies…

Preplays (critical material presented before a televised program) were inserted before three sections of a televised story to determine if they would improve children's attention and comprehension by providing overall plot structure for selecting and integrating important story events. The preplays varied on two orthogonal dimensions: presence or…

An analysis of the skills involved in listening comprehension and techniques for developing them in students looks first at elements of the general process of interpretation, showing the essential importance of the interpretative functions as contrasted with simple comprehension of sounds and decoding of meaning. The first section looks at…

A 2-year study designed to develop ways to improve both the quantity and the quality of the comprehension instruction offered by elementary school teachers involved 9 teachers in the first year and 11 teachers in the second. In each year of the study, the same research procedures were followed, with researchers observing the teachers, then working…

Children's understanding of fables and the degree to which knowledge used by the child to understand first language input is also used to understand second language input were studied. In addition, the way that such a relationship changes as the second language is acquired was examined. Students in Spanish-English bilingual programs in…

A study investigated reconstructive recall for linguistic style. It was hypothesized that (1) features of linguistic style would be more difficult to recall than underlying content, (2) reconstructive errors would include stylistic forms recalled as standard forms when subjects lacked productive control of a particular feature of a style, and (3)…

The Learning in Science Project has adopted the view that science teaching might be improved if teachers can be given some appreciation of students' views of the world and the beliefs, expectations, and language that learners bring to new learning situations. This investigation compares and contrasts views that children and scientists have on…

The Learning in Science Project has adopted the view that science teaching might be improved if teachers can be given some appreciation of students' views of the world and the beliefs, expectations, and language that learners bring to new learning situations. This investigation compares and contrasts views that children and scientists have on…

These proceedings contain four presentations and other materials from a conference to provide public schools with information about change so they can take a leadership role in educating for the future. The opening address (Richard Berendzen) discusses changes affecting education and changes in education. "Megatrends: Implications for Education…

Stressing that the importance of listening carefully cannot be underestimated, this handbook describes the process of listening (including the five components--previous knowledge, listening material, physiological activity, attention, and intellectual activity), some barriers to efficient listening, and bad and good listening habits. It also…

A guide to assist teachers of Polish language arts as the first language of students in the Chicago public schools' transitional bilingual education program follows objectives parallel to those set out for English language instruction, to preserve the integrity of the Polish language. Lessons are presented as suggestions for teaching toward the…

A guide to assist teachers of Vietnamese language arts as the first language of students in the Chicago public schools' transitional bilingual education program follows objectives parallel to those set out for English language instruction, to provide education reflecting the students' cultural and linguistics skills. Lessons are presented as…