Suggests that picture nouns are useful in teaching reading, writing, oral vocabulary, and thinking skills to all children, including handicapped students and those who speak another language. (JC)

Suggests ways a teacher who is interested in performing Piagetian testing might persuade a principal of the validity of the tests, and offers insight into the connection between cognitive development and reading achievement. (JC)

Discusses teaching junior high students Ann Sexton's poem about remembrances of childhood. Notes the strong personal connections students make with the action and feelings of the poem, and that the poem helps thirteen- and fourteen-year olds understand their own developmental transformations. Suggests related writing assignments based on multiple…

Identifies two statistically significant prediction equations involving independent dynamics that are based on information provided by 225 primary teachers regarding (1) 14 predictor variables and (2) their orientations toward three instructional emphases: graphophonics, skills, and whole language. (NKA)

Indicates that each instructional unit was composed of several mini-lessons rather than representing an integrated and related unit organized around a central purpose. Finds that lesson parts failed to make logical connections to previous or following parts. Concludes that the nature of reading lessons could be a contributing factor to the…

Measures the effects of infusing writing components into a university reading laboratory. Reports that reading improvement was significant with writing infusions but that results are inconclusive due to lack of true experimental design. (AEW)

Lists eight effects that could result from the ruling in "Mozert v. Hawkins County Public Schools." These include widespread censorship, limitation of controversial topics, interference with management of instruction, and disruption of the school day. (MD)

This study investigated the effects on reading of matching perceptual strengths of second- and third-grade, below average readers. Experimental groups consisted of 24 predominantly visual and 24 predominantly kinesthetic learners. Gains were significant for experimentals over controls in word recognition and reading comprehension. (Author/BS)

Addresses three questions: (1) What is involved in understanding a word or concept? (2) How do we presently measure word knowledge? (3) What are some alternative formats which teachers could utilize with their students? Suggests techniques such as paired word questions, categorizing, analogies, and sentence writing as ways to evaluate vocabulary…

Advances the notion that students should be assigned to classes according to the time of day they learn best. (JC)

Examination of two "simplified" adaptations of literary texts for less advanced learners of English as a second language found that attempts for lexical and linguistic simplification and linguistic standardization sometimes rendered the texts more difficult to comprehend and resulted in loss of narrative interest. (Author/CB)

Reports on a study to develop and test a short form reading attitude survey which could be readily used by classroom teachers. Results showed that most students hold favorable attitudes toward reading, and that the survey is reliable, quick, and simple to use. (RAE)

Describes ten practical ideas for classroom teaching at the elementary level, including "roulette" writing, story map raps, and theme cubes. (MM)

States American schools are not producing critical readers. Discusses factors involved in critical reading failure, including lack of instruction and a school environment that stresses information recall. Asserts (1) critical reading skills are best taught directly; (2) content area teachers should emphasize critical reading; and (3) speaking,…

Describes ten activities designed to motivate students to read, including: (1) writing movie and television reviews, then reading newspaper reviews of the same movie or program; (2) maintaining a "clipping file" of newspaper and magazine articles, which can encourage further reading about the article topics; and (3) forming a committee…