Argues that when reading is taught as a communication skill and as a further extension of language, the teacher should be concerned with helping the student to link up and become involved with the author's message. A child should be encouraged to search for the meaning of what he reads when he begins to learn to read. (Author/JM)

Discusses the reading plans used in two open classrooms. A classroom for third/fourth graders is designed to provide experiences in joining written languages to things and activities, while a class of fifth/sixth graders is encouraged to work together in small groups and help each other. (Author/JM)

Argues that the secret behind truly powerful learning lies in developing students' metacognitive abilities. Presents an overview of the role of formative assessment in learning to read and in reading to learn. Discusses some research-based instructional techniques useful in helping students take executive control of the reading act. (SR)

Considers the possibilities of critical literacy curricula in elementary classrooms. Discusses the development of children's texts; underlying principles of critical literacy; suggested starting points for developing critical literacy in the classroom; and the implications for reading and assessment of emotionally charged texts. Argues for…

Reports on a study showing how the achievement of bilingual learners can be raised within a classroom context and within the framework of the National Curriculum. Shows how to stimulate a wide variety of language activities, including those concerning different styles and structures, audience awareness, vocabulary, and the exploration of…

Evaluated the effectiveness of multimedia computer-assisted reading in business Chinese. The study concluded that the reading proficiency of second-year business Chinese learners can be much more efficiently achieved with the assistance of multimedia technology. (Author/JL)

Presents case study of two teachers teaching reading in first year of school. Found very little direct, proactive teaching and more reacting, which can be interpreted as purposeful interaction; teachers worked to build bridges between children's experience and literacy learning. Argues that organizational structures that reduce individualization…

Presents sample questions for use as a guide for teachers to question students about literature and to model effective questioning techniques for them. Details topics, including literary characteristics; setting; vocabulary; general questions; characters; author; plot, theme, mood, and moral; and illustrations-pictures. (KDFB)

Surveyed more than 500 educators to determine whether basal reading programs control or limit teacher instructional decision making. Found no limiting action: rather than "de-skilling" teachers, subjects reported, the materials have an empowering effect by providing additional instructional ideas to draw from, adapt, or extend. (ET)

Describes an approach to lexical meaning in multilingual primary classrooms illustrated in the "Word-Weaving" project in a British school. Word weaving is a set of strategies to identify lexical demands of learning topics and to build opportunities for word meaning exploration into classroom discourse. (SLD)

Reports on a survey of nearly 300 high school seniors asked to reflect on their reading experiences, both inside and out of school. Demonstrates that students find assigned reading, especially Shakespeare and Dickens, unrewarding and painful. Discusses problems and solutions of contemporary teaching methods. Suggests that students be given a…

Provides suggestions and guidance to help students who are good readers, but have low self-efficacy for taking reading tests. Discusses four sources of self-efficacy: enactive mastery; vicarious experiences; verbal persuasion; and physiological/affective state. Concludes that these four sources provide a framework for developing and evaluating…

Examines pre- and post-course surveys of responses to course objectives in seven literacy education categories for 166 undergraduate reading education preservice teachers enrolled in a reading methods/reading practicum block. Finds a direct relationship between pre-course motivation and end-of-course motivation for continued learning for six of…

Considers how the use of a picture book with adolescents enhances lessons and evokes aesthetic responses. Reports 11th and 12th graders' efferent and aesthetic responses to the poignantly evocative narrative paintings portrayed in the wordless picture book "The Middle Passage" by Tom Feelings. (SG)