Suggests that educators help students see their literacies as grounded in situation and community. Argues that high schools should provide a multitude of situational contexts for literacy-learning experiences beyond the general academic community. Draws on genre theory to offer five general suggestions for improving the teaching and learning of…

Discusses the hyperbole surrounding statements and testimonials about the effectiveness of phonics instruction. Suggests that reading is more than sounding out words one at a time and that most children figure it out for themselves with little or no help. Suggests that reading is also more than a psycholinguistic guessing game. (RS)

Reviews the TRIED Series (Teaching Resources in the ERIC Database) published by the ERIC Clearinghouse on Reading and Communication Skills. (MG)

Muses over and responds to several "letters" regarding top 10 lists for reading teachers, political correctness, best sellers, and Howard Gardner on drill and discipline. (SR)

An approach to teaching phonics to children with special learning needs or reading difficulties is presented. The approach utilizes a sounding chart containing "clue boxes" to help children identify how letter patterns sound, and the method sequences generalizations according to difficulty. This article discusses testing, placement, and…

Comments on the value of literature in a literature-based Chapter 1 classroom, and suggests types of literature that have been successful in this type of reading program. Reviews 26 trade books which would be useful in Chapter 1 literature-based instruction. (MG)

Argues that students need to achieve meaning from content area reading. Claims that comprehension of reading materials must be in evidence. Discusses various procedures designed to assist students achieve meaningful reading experiences. (HB)

Presents a short biography of the life, work, and teachings of Charlotte Huck. Discusses her time at Ohio State, her contributions to published children's literature, her contributions to reading instruction, and her many honors and awards. Talks about her concern and active involvement in writing for public policy relating to education. (SC)

Examines the slogan "explicit and systematic teaching of reading" by discussing a framework of four dimensions of learning and teaching: (1) explicit-implicit; (2) systematic-unsystematic; (3) mindful-mindless; and (4) contextualized-decontextualized. Concludes that an optimum mix of all four dimensions is needed. (SR)

Describes the Lexile Framework(R), which enables teachers to develop personalized instruction based on Lexile measures of reading ability and Lexiled reading lists. The Lexile Framework is based on the entire book, with individual reading ability measured by tests that measure on the same scale on which the books are measured. As an open standard,…

Describes uses of the Lexile Framework(R) in actual practice in Florida, Georgia, California, and North Carolina. As it connects reading comprehension tests, books, magazines, and newspapers to a common scale of measurement, the Lexile Framework can be used to form a community working for better reading. (SLD)

Describes the Lexile Framework(R), a tool for looking at reader ability relative to the difficulty of a text. It allows a parent, student, teacher, or media coordinator to understand the performance of a reader. Presents examples of current best practices in using lexiles. (SLD)

Examines the relationship between reading and drama in learning. Argues that, through the study of their interaction and an examination of parallel processes at work, the potential of drama as a learning tool about reading is revealed. Explores their symbiotic relationship in a drama session which highlights some cognitive and affective…

Presents a highly philosophical view of silence from the literal sense extending to the idea of silencing voices. Considers reflection, meditation, and contemplation in regards to reading and writing. Discusses reflection and literacy, and reflection and learning. States that literacy is an interlace pattern of reflection in silence and activity…

Describes how one Maryland school district overhauled its total approach to reading instruction and rescued its struggling students. The problem was more one of poor system design than poor instruction. The research-based intervention was a hybrid of reading recovery and phonics. From 1999-00, the rate of fifth graders reading below grade level…