Compares kindergarten instructional programs of three groups of at-risk children. Partitions groups based on their first-grade reading performance. Finds that children in the most successful reader group came from kindergarten classrooms in which more time was spent in phoneme awareness, spelling, and writing activities, and that the average and…

Discussion of the importance of cognitive strategy instruction is followed by consideration of reciprocal teaching as an optimal method for teaching both reading and writing to middle and high school students with reading/writing difficulties. Reciprocal teaching emphasizes teaching learners how to ask questions, clarify issues, summarize text,…

Examines the effects of increasing adolescents' awareness of their own response strategies to reading. Illustrates the importance of ensuring that all students discover for themselves not only what they have learned, but how they have learned it. (SR)

Explores the validity of skill hierarchies in reading comprehension. Finds no differences in comprehension skills between subjects receiving or not receiving comprehension skills instruction. Argues for a unitary or holistic view of reading comprehension. Argues for increasing the time students spend reading self-selected materials. Suggests…

Compares the effectiveness of two approaches for teaching basic sight words to educable mentally handicapped students: (1) using the Language Experience Approach (LEA) alone; and (2) using LEA with nursery rhymes. Finds the subjects learned words more easily and rapidly when using nursery rhymes. (RS)

Investigates the opportunities to learn provided in regular and special education classes for mildly handicapped students. Finds that, overall, mildly handicapped students experienced significantly less opportunity to learn during mainstream reading instruction than their nonhandicapped peers. Concludes, however, that placing such students in…

Describes the Cognitive Strategy Instruction in Writing (CSIW) program by discussing: (1) knowledge bases that are useful for expository writing and reading; (2) features of instruction inherent in CSIW that help build knowledge for successful writing and reading; and (3) the effect of CSIW on students' expository writing and reading. (MG)

Interviews Dr. Ernest Balajthy on the current role of computer technology and artificial intelligence in reading education. (MG)

Describes a teacher's experiences in a multigrade intermediate grade mountain schoolhouse. Notes that teaching difficulties were overcome by (1) organizing time and contracting with students; (2) learning from students about what to teach; and (3) using language that invites and includes students. Explains how these techniques aid reading and…

Shares the findings of three classroom teachers and a university professor from their collaborative study of how whole language instruction affects the students that teachers worry about the most. Concludes that elements of time, choice, supported risk taking, belonging, and whole language experiences for real purposes make a difference in at-risk…

Learning centers can address learning styles better than paper-and-pencil tasks, as well as motivate students by providing varied stimulating activities that encourage practice of reading strategies. Information is presented on several types of centers (reading, word-study, listening, writing and publishing, computer, arts). A resource list is…

Presents five reading activities including "Reading Buddies" (Joyce Kemp); "Documenting Reading and Writing Growth in the Primary Grades Using Informal Methods of Evaluation" (Clifford J. Kramer); "Problem Solving Our Way through Writers' Workshop" (Ann Walker Christensen); "Real Audiences for Real Writing"…

Offers suggestions to incorporate holistic reading and writing activities into existing curricula and classroom structure to create a print-rich environment in which children use reading and writing in meaningful ways. (MG)

Uses boxes, bottles, bags, brochures, and other print materials to create more interesting and more effective whole language lessons. (MG)

Illustrates how the following educational goals are being reached with existing software and hardware: integrating reading and writing instruction; providing a new sense of community among readers; and encouraging a shared exploration of cultural contexts. (MM)