The debate continues as to whether the underachievement of boys has reached "crisis" levels. Therefore, in an effort to increase the achievement of male readers, this article provides five teacher recommendations from the perspective of Derek, a sixth grade struggling reader. Derek is a soft-spoken, amiable African American who has consistently…

Life's Little Lessons is a delightful and humorous story about a caterpillar named Cyrano and his misadventures. In school he struggles, at times he gives up, until one day he discovers that he and only he is in charge of his own happiness. Children, will easily identify with Cyrano, his feelings and his flight, as they learn that although life…

Innovative librarians, teachers, and parents have for years been using picture books with students in grades four and above, including high school and college students. Recent research suggests that many students comprehend better when they are reading meaningful text, with meaningful characters and themes. Picture books are: useful for teaching…

Children develop language-related abilities simultaneously from infancy onward, and the conditions that promote first language learning are the same conditions that promote total literacy development: a social context involving immersion, approximation, opportunity to practice, feedback, and modeling. Intended for teachers, reading specialists,…