To compare the self-selection book choices of low achieving junior high school students with those of high achieving students, Title I (low achieving) and honor roll (high achieving) students chose books from the library and were given a cloze test based upon the book chosen before reading it. A cloze score of less than 37% determined that a…

Children's literature, when used appropriately in conjunction with textbooks, can become a powerful teaching tool that builds relevant prior knowledge, capitalizes on the student's skill in reading narrative, engenders interest and motivation, and consequently promotes a deeper understanding and appreciation of the content in both trade books and…

A nationwide survey was conducted among families with children enrolled in Kinder-Care Learning Centers (KCLC) to determine parental practices of reading aloud to preschool children. A total of 50 KCLCs was selected in such a way that the geographic distribution by four U.S. regions was representative of the 900 KCLC-Randomly selected centers were…

A guide for teachers selecting reading textbooks, this report brings together information about basal programs on the market and clarification of important issues in reading instruction. A general analysis of 20 basal programs includes a prose explication and a table comparing contents (skills), reading selections, methodology, assessment tests,…

A review of the literature on read-aloud programs reveals two studies that extensively examine program content and practices and teacher procedures. The first study, conducted in 1969, compiled responses from 582 intermediate teachers of grades four, five, and six throughout the United States. The second study, conducted in 1979, surveyed 29…

Learning difficult literary concepts (such as point of view, symbolism, or internal monologue) while reading difficult and often unfamiliar content prematurely places too many demands upon middle school and high school students. Young adult literature allows students to address the demands of a new concept while reading more familiar content. One…

This report provides administrators and supervisors of reading programs with information to help them evaluate and select commercially developed reading materials. Part 1 opens with a description of the problems researchers studying the adoption of basal reading programs have observed and then offers suggestions (based on both research and…

This 27-item bibliography represent the diversity of articles added to the ERIC database from 1983 to 1988 on the uses of ethnography and personal narrative in education. Included are conflicting opinions concerning the appropriateness of using this form of qualitative research to describe accurately problems within the classroom and to prescribe…

Based on adult learning and reading acquisition theories, the model forming the basis of a one-semester graduate course resulted in increased competencies of thirty-five presently employed or future adult basic education teachers each of whom taught reading to one adult illiterate during the course. The model consisted of assessment of reading by…

The use of nontraditional adolescent literature in the secondary classroom and teacher training for this usage are discussed in this paper. After outlining a humanistic approach to adolescent literature, in which students are taught to use literature to illuminate their lives, the paper contrasts such an approach to the teaching of traditional…

This guide was designed to help parents of preschool children utilize high quality children's literature to enhance communication between parents and children. The first section focuses on informal educational techniques parents can use with their preschool children. Specific topics examined include story reading and story telling, intellectual…

This annotated bibliography is intended for preschool, elementary, and middle school teachers who want to incorporate law-related reading materials into their reading, language arts, and social studies programs. Fiction, fantasy, poetry, and nonfiction are listed under four general topics: citizenship, conflict and conflict resolution, authority…

The learning module described is designed to provide teachers with guidelines for selecting reading materials for Chicano and other Spanish-surnamed children. The rationale, goals, and objectives of the module are outlined. The table of contents of the text used in the module is reproduced. Activities and resources involved in the use of the…

STUDENTS' APPRECIATION OF LITERATURE SHOULD BE THE ENGLISH TEACHER'S PRIMARY GOAL IN PRESENTING A NOVEL IN THE CLASSROOM, AND REALIZATION OF THAT GOAL DEPENDS UPON APPROPRIATE ADAPTATION OF TEACHING TECHNIQUES TO THE STRUCTURE AND THEME OF A LITERARY WORK. GEORGE LEVINE, IN "ON TEACHING LITERATURE" (SEE TE 000 393.), SUGGESTS THAT THE TEACHER MAY…

Suggestions are offered here for effecting a smooth transition in Spanish FLES classes from the audiolingual skills level to a level of reading competence which allows for proper pronunciation and both oral and silent reading comprehension. The discussion centers on creating reading readiness at the pre-reading level and considered such aspects as…