Pointing out that understanding, considering, preparing, modeling, teaching, collaborating, assessing, and supporting are steps along the path to using literature in the classroom, the essays in this book provide a solid background for those teachers who are considering making the transition to literature-based instruction in their classrooms.…

This study investigated elementary school teachers' perception of their first grade students' interest in multicultural trade books. The study participants included 151 first graders, 17 experienced teachers, and 65 preservice teachers. The study used 15 multicultural trade books and 15 non-multicultural books matched as closely as possible in…

This book presents practical, theoretically sound guidance about using literature to develop literacy. The prologue to the book describes some aspects of whole language programs at work, relates research findings that underlie the whole language philosophy, and presents scenes of teachers actively using literature in their classrooms. The book is…

Miami-Dade Community College's (MDCC's) implementation and assessment of computer software as a part of Project SYNERGY, a multi-institutional project funded by the International Business Machines (IBM) Corporation designed to seek technological solutions for helping students underprepared in reading, writing and mathematics, is described in this…

A study investigated the efficacy of a program designed to teach parents how to read to their low-achieving school-aged children to help increase the children's word recognition and comprehension. Parents whose children (grades 1-4) were receiving additional school assistance from a resource specialist were invited to enroll in the program.…

This teaching guide is a resource for the classroom teacher of limited-English-proficient (LEP) migrant students. Following introductory information about LEP students, the guide contains sections on: (1) organizing your class for language learning, emphasizing cooperative learning; (2) language development, emphasizing social interaction; (3)…

An evaluative study was done of the supplemental education delivery system in reading and mathematics in the School District of the City of Saginaw (Michigan) at 28 schools. At the elementary school level the system includes push-in and pull-out programs in reading and mathematics and in reading intervention that served 2,494 students in grades…

Building on an international survey including nearly 10,500 teachers and 200,000 students in 32 countries, this booklet presents empirical data relevant to the controversial issue of how children should be taught to read. The booklet examines a broad spectrum of teaching conditions, teacher characteristics, and instructional practices and relates…

This conference proceedings document contains 18 papers focusing on ideas and strategies for effective literacy instruction. Following opening remarks by Rita M. Bean, are four keynote addresses: "Toward Uncommon Sense Literacy Learning; Integrating Reading and Writing" (John Mayher); "Literacy Learning in At-Risk First…

Each year at the Greater Lawrence Technical School (Massachusetts), students are identified who lack the necessary basic skills to successfully complete a typical high school program. This problem led to the development of an alternative instructional program designed to accomplish remediation in the basic skills using computer-based instruction.…

This document consists of a guide for teachers and tutors and four "readers" for adults. These readers are intended to eliminate the problems associated with book-centered, one-to-one tutoring, such as the following: (1) uninteresting, irrelevant materials focusing on single reading skills rather than reading as communication; (2)…

This paper reviews the research on the social dimensions of literacy acquisition and use, and applies conclusions to the provision of improved literacy training for adults and young people with hearing impairments. Discussion of the social context of literacy considers the ethnography of communication, literacy as cultural practice, and literacy…

This paper compares the visual and auditory perceptual systems as bases for communication systems, reviews advances in computer technology, and considers implications for literacy among persons with hearing impairments. It is pointed out that the primary language skills of hearing individuals are developed through speech and language (auditory…

This document presents the effects of variations of a schoolwide restructuring program, Success for All, on student reading achievement and other outcomes in elementary schools serving large numbers of disadvantaged students. Success for All uses research-based preschool and kindergarten programs, beginning and intermediate reading programs in…

This booklet provides strategies for implementing whole-language reading and writing in classroom and tutorial settings for at-risk learners, with a focus on migrant students. The whole-language approach integrates reading, writing, listening, and speaking into language arts, social studies, science, and other content areas. Within an environment…