Presents a humorous, fictional account of several reading educators gathering for supper in New Mexico. Muses over the disappointing results of this reading conference. (SR)

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)

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)

Offers a humorous perspective on being a proponent of the whole language approach to reading instruction in the face of those who favor phonics and specific skill instruction. (SRT)

Research on the function of color in instruction and learning is reviewed, and the rationale for its use in instructional materials and as an aid to learning is examined. Three points are made: (1) on the basis of research results, it is not yet possible to prescribe the use of color cues in instruction; (2) color is presently being used in…

Cautions that a lack of rigor in research methodology and a lack of restraint in interpretation may ruin the potential benefits of educational ethnography. (HOD)

Discusses D. Durkin's 1979 study of reading comprehension instruction and J. Heap's critique of the study in a recent issue of "Journal of Reading Behavior." Asserts that the traditional reading lesson is a vehicle for acculturation or teaching cultural knowledge and logic. (SRT)

Discusses the theory-to-practice issue in reading education. (FL)

Argues that metacognitive development should remain--or become--an aspect of instruction that aims to enhance students' reading comprehension. (HOD)

Reflects on reading research and reading education, observing that mature judgment and perspective seem to be lacking in both fields. (MM)

Discusses comments about and responses to an article on semiotics by Donald J. Cunningham in the June 1992 issue of the "Educational Psychology Review." Discusses the semiotic method of juxtaposition, juxtaposing a menace being posed to reading teachers with the menace experienced in W. W. Jacobs' classic ghost story "The Monkey's Paw." (SR)

Traditionally, reading educators' alternatives for improving students' reading comprehension have been to (a) modify the text, (b) augment the text with aids, or (c) modify the students' reading behavior. The first involves limiting the average number of words per sentence and substituting short, easy words and structures. Results with this…

Presents a question-and-answer dialogue in which the author thinks about the queries he received or wished that he had received during the past year. (JD)