If literacy is to increase the autonomy and social standing of previously illiterate persons rather than to domesticate and further subordinate them, reading and writing must be imbued with genuine empowering potential. A case study from rural Nicaragua, set against an account of adult literacy for revolutionary change, is presented. (37…

Several activities to help teachers focus students' attention on learning at the end of the year include quiz games, mystery boxes, map games, videotapes, gift making, author birthday parties, yard sales, ice cream science, and summer safety activities. Younger students can create murals, play editing games, and enjoy special ceremonies. (SM)

Eighty children in first grade classes differing in the amount of letter-sound instruction daily were administered tests of phonemic segmentation, reading, and spelling three times during the year. No classroom differences in phonemic segmentation were found, but classrooms with more letter-sound instruction showed more spelling and reading…

Describes an ethnographic study conducted in a grade four classroom during language arts instruction to discover patterns of a traditional approach, a whole-language approach, or a combination of the two. Compares and contrasts traditional and whole-language approaches according to specific dimensions: concept of learning, curriculum, pedagogy,…

Discusses the many different things teachers can do with book introductions to give children better access to a new story so that they can read it fluently and independently at the first reading. (MG)

Compared the effects of using various computer software programs on the attending behavior of children with attention-deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD). Found that the attention of ADHD children increased while they used software with a game format when animation was not excessive. Other factors affecting nonattending behaviors included the…

Documents the changes that occurred in one junior high school reading class as students prepared for a state-mandated test. Shows that discrepancies between the authentic instruction the students were used to and the rigid demands of the reading test were a shock to all involved. Maintains that authentic reading instruction deserves authentic…

Describes the reorganization of teacher education methods courses at University of Wisconsin-River Falls. Lists whole language tenets, large group session topics, and sample integrations for prekindergarten through middle school grades. Asserts that the experience demonstrated the benefits of the whole language philosophy. (PRA)

Argues that typical language arts instruction for special education children is misguided because it emphasizes identifying and remediating deficiencies in individual children. Offers a model for teaching at-risk children that applies whole language principles and practices to meet the needs of special education students. (MG)

Investigates the long-term effects of daily training sessions in word analysis (phoneme isolation or positional treatment versus phoneme segmentation or sequential treatment) on 10 first grade classes in Norway. Concludes that both forms of phonological training had a facilitating effect on reading and spelling. Suggests that lower ability…

The contrast between the teaching of reading and mathematics is drawn. A new set of learning conditions for mathematics is presented based on a model of reading instruction. Immersion, demonstration, engagement, expectations, responsibility, use approximation, response, refinement, and outcomes are discussed. (CW)

Discusses a report in which eight dyslexic, eight mentally disabled, and eight normal readers were asked to rank nine qualities both of their classroom teacher and of an ideal teacher. Discovers that comparisons of ideal and actual teacher ratings within each group demonstrated significant concordance for the normal and disabled groups, but not…

Describes three characteristics of whole-literacy instruction and relates these characteristics to current perspectives on vocabulary instruction. Includes examples designed by middle-grade teachers who were interested in using these ideas to shape classroom instruction. (MG)

A dozen exercises designed to enhance the understanding and appreciation of literature in a second language are described, including dictation, reading, playing with intonation, choosing a cover picture, selection of significant extracts, comparative analyses, an author interview, production of a sketch or play, simulation, or planning a film…

Some ways are described that small group instruction is being used in the teaching of a second language, based on observations of 12 teachers in a rural Malaysian secondary school. Its application to reading and writing instruction, classroom problems, and the teacher's role at various stages are discussed. (Contains 15 references.) (LB)