Offers an overview of research findings on peer and cross-age tutoring, including what elements of reading are amenable to tutoring, the effects of the age and ability of tutors, gender pairing, and tutor training. (SR)

This article summarizes the literature on peer, cross-age, and reverse-role tutoring as an intervention with students with learning disabilities, discusses the effects of reverse-role tutoring on reading achievement and perception of self-worth of tutors, and outlines critical components necessary for a successful tutoring project. (Author/JDD)

Examined the effects of active versus passive peer tutoring among African American first graders at risk for school failure, comparing both types of tutoring to teacher mediated instruction. Results of weekly spelling tests indicated that both peer tutoring methods produced spelling scores superior to scores in the teacher mediated group. Passive…

Offers suggestions for using classwide peer tutoring (CWPT) to teach health and safety in an inclusive setting.Suggestions include advantages and concerns associated with using CWPT procedures, content material, curriculum development and adaptation, linking CWPT procedures to a health- and safety-education curriculum, teacher and student training…

Examines writing conferences (between teacher and student, and between two students) in one fourth-grade classroom to see how the students engaged in sophisticated talk about writing, as they consistently assumed the roles of critical but curious readers capable of telling their peers when they were confused about a piece of writing or how they…

Links cooperative-learning arrangements with social-skills instruction to accelerate student learning and to improve students' social relationships. Discusses deciding what social skills to teach, deciding how to teach social skills in cooperative groups, and beginning social-skills activities. Tips from teachers are provided. (Author/CR)

Reviews the detrimental effects of adolescent tobacco use and stresses the importance of prevention efforts targeting youth at school, discussing characteristics of effective school-based approaches and the unique aspects of peer teaching and peer leadership programs. Research suggests that peer-led tobacco prevention programs can foster desirable…

Describes the Environmental Buddies program designed to pair fourth-grade (mentors) and kindergarten (proteges) children to work on science investigations centered around ecological themes. Details program components, including the following: investigations that interest and challenge both ages, careful student pairing, emphasis on mutual benefits…

Student-led workshops are helping undergraduate students learn from each other as they tackle organic chemistry. Each week, small groups brainstorm tough problems in sessions guided by upper-class students who have taken and passed the course. Debating and discussing chemistry problems with peers engages students with the material and boosts…

Elementary school children (N=203) in multiple settings across five years were interviewed and/or surveyed regarding their participation as members of social skills groups and peer network activities with children with autism (N-38). Most children enjoyed the programs, felt they benefited academically and/or socially, and had positive attitudes…

Argues that successful tutoring depends, in part, on child tutors' ability to recognize and interpret accurately signs of misunderstanding by their tutees. Investigates age and gender differences in perceiving cues to misunderstanding. Finds that older children and females more accurately interpret signs of confusion and that females can better…

Five English language learners (ELL) teachers and 117 elementary students, including students with disabilities, participated in the Class-Wide Peer Tutoring Learning Management System. Students made considerable progress in mastering the curriculum over periods ranging from 15 to 21 weeks of school and students and teachers were satisfied with…

This article summarizes studies conducted with Collaborative Strategic Reading (CSR), a program designed to enhance reading comprehension and content-area reading for diverse learners. It describes the stages of CSR development and discusses the role of peer-mediated learning in improving the social and academic outcomes of participating students.…

A study investigated the effects of teaching 24 middle school students with learning disabilities and mild mental retardation to tutor one another in reading comprehension strategies. Performance on reading comprehension tests following reciprocal tutoring yielded significant performance advantages for students involved in tutoring. Students…

Examines the effects of Classwide Peer Tutoring (CWPT) with reinforcement (CWPT+R) and without reinforcement (CWPT-R) on 77 Chinese students' spelling performance and intrinsic interest in lower secondary school Integrated Science. Reveals that the CWPT+R group made greater learning gains, while the same group displayed lower intrinsic interest in…