This study examined relations among sensitivity to words, syllables, rhymes, and phonemes in older and younger preschoolers. Confirmatory factor analyses found that a one-factor model best explained the date from both groups of children. Only variance common to all phonological sensitivity skills was related to print knowledge and rudimentary…

Examines the logographic stage assumption in reading models by studying how German-speaking first graders read and spell words and matched pseudowords. The findings indicate that logographic strategies are of limited importance when writing systems are phonologically transparent (as with German) and when instructional approaches do not withhold…

Describes an analogy approach to word identification which was used for two years in a resource room. Concludes with an adaptation of the compare/contrast approach for teaching decoding to other children who do not exhibit reading problems. (MG)

Techniques for using the whole language approach include read-aloud sessions, student story dictation, practice in using decoding skills, word banks, and exercises that stress the connection between reading and writing. The method considers individual needs and interests, offers relevance, and builds on adults' experiences. (SK)

Two experiments with moderately mentally retarded students found that (1) adequate verbal instruction had a modest but significant effect on the subjects' ability to blend consonant sounds, and (2) training without pictorial prompts resulted in better blending than training with pictorial prompts. (Author/DB)

The PASS Remedial Program (PREP), a word reading program which focuses on 4 major cognitive processes (planning, attention, simultaneous, and successive processing) was evaluated with 51 grade-4 children with decoding difficulties. The "global process" and curriculum-related "bridging" program components were separately and…

Considers the effects that might issue from an integration of decoding and spelling for the instruction of disabled readers. Proposes a structural-historical approach reflecting the patterns and word origins inherent in the English spelling system. Provides an alternative to both isolated phonics instruction and the whole-language approach. (HB)

This paper reviews the history of whole-language versus code-emphasis approaches to reading instruction. The paper concludes that students with severe learning disabilities may learn to read in a whole-language, mainstream classroom, if provided with supplemental instruction, a variety of instructional techniques, and appropriate intensity and…

Discusses the role of decoding in the framework of reading research and current instructional issues. Emphasizes the importance of decoding as part of the reading and language arts curriculum. Provides instructional implications. Suggests that, although many children learn to read without difficulty using literature-based approaches, many children…

A genre analysis of 284 essay examination prompts reveals specific discoursal characteristics that function to communicate what type of response will be considered legitimate. The finding suggests that, for test-takers to decode prompts, they must draw from the same functional/linguistic knowledge of genre that the test constructor did. (15…

Presents six key questions to ask about any instructional resource. Suggests a few specific questions to ask when selecting decoding and comprehension games and manipulatives. Presents seven instructional games and manipulatives appropriate for classroom use. (MG)

Discusses current research regarding oral reading errors or miscues to facilitate teacher expertise in decision making within the fast-paced interaction of reading instruction. (MG)

The reader's knowledge about how a message is woven into discourse plays an important role in reading comprehension. This article first reviews reasons for student difficulties in comprehension, sentence groups, and sense units and then presents a basic discourse framework and its applications for analyzing text passages. (Contains two…

Outlines a simple view of reading consisting of decoding and linguistic comprehension. Assesses predictions of the view in a longitudinal sample of English-Spanish bilingual children in first through fourth grade. Finds support for the view. Discusses implications for reading instruction, definition of reading disability, and the notion of…

Presents the case of a 29-year-old university student with impairments in decoding skills. Factors that contribute to decoding skills are identified, such as phonological and morphological awareness and use of decoding strategies. The assessment and intervention procedures used are explained. The importance of recognizing the emotional needs of…