Evaluates the methodological adequacy of 37 studies of reading comprehension strategy instruction according to criteria of both internal and external validity. Finds many strengths, but identifies six important weaknesses. Suggests guidelines for planning future studies, and urges comprehension researchers to pay more attention to methodological…

Describes a course unit on fiction writing with an emphasis on motivating students to see value and relevance in writing. (RAE)

Poor self-perceptions of reading performance, and the resulting negative impact on children's emotional well-being, can be attributed to school-related causes, parental reactions, and peer reactions. Positive feelings about self can develop and reading problems be reduced through provision of effective environments, appropriate classroom…

In developing appropriate reading instruction for language minority children, the following factors should be considered: the developmental nature of literacy, the connection between speech and print, the conventions of the writing system, the importance of comprehension, the role of native language and literacy, and the transferability of skills.…

Reviews several studies which support the success of a literature-based approach to literacy with various types of students (limited English speakers, developmental readers, remedial readers, etc.). Describes several common elements found in different literature-based programs, including the use of natural text, reading aloud, and sustained silent…

Presents two alternatives to ability grouping--flexible grouping (based on students' level of independence as learners), and cooperative learning groups. Discusses the benefits of cooperative learning, and provides a sample cooperative learning lesson. (MM)

Describes Nigerian childrens' typical preschool experiences, home environment, classroom organization, reading instruction, and textbook selection methods. Describes the problems associated with reading instruction in a multilingual society which has little existing instructional material in any of the 400 Nigerian languages. Suggests ways to…

Examines the relationship between recent research on metacognition and schema theory. Provides practical teaching suggestions, showing how these concepts can be used as a framework for language instruction and for analyzing tasks students are asked to perform. (RAE)

Presents the origins of action books, selection guidelines for use in the classroom, advantages and limitations, and an annotated list of science and social studies action books. (MM)

Compares two instructional programs--the structure of the Intellect-Learning Abilities and the Language Experience in Reading--utilized in a rural midwestern laboratory school. Reports no significant difference between experimental and control groups in four out of five operation areas, although the control group scored significantly higher in…

Aims to heighten teacher awareness of the semantic, syntactic, and phoneme-grapheme transfer problems that Chinese students face. Provides teaching suggestions involving phonology, vocabulary, syntax, and morphology. Urges reading teachers to use the visual modality to help make the transfer to the English script system more successful. (RS)

Examined classroom processes taking place during reading instruction in two settings: (1) schools with a large Hispanic Limited-English-proficient student population, and (2) inner-city schools where the student population is more ethnically diverse. Results indicated that the type of reading instruction taking place in both types of schools is…

This study of 67 intermediate grade students with reading difficulties found that students in a peer-mediated sustained reading condition performed better than peer-mediated repeated reading students and control students receiving typical reading instruction, on fluency but not on comprehension. No effect for the level of text difficulty was…

Discusses ways that whole-language teachers can address the concerns raised by administrators, teachers, and parents about the use of portfolios in language arts classes. Suggests that teachers can use student self-evaluation and other methods to assign grades in portfolio-based classes, and master various techniques to reduce the time needed to…

The Early Literacy Project focused on involving students in contextualized literary activities, developing learning strategies, constructing classroom dialogs about literacy, supporting learners in their zones of proximal development, and creating literacy communities. Research with 88 primary-grade students with mild disabilities indicated clear…