A second-grade teacher conducted a study aimed at raising students' abilities to use certain strategies (predicting, questioning, and connecting to text) and at increasing their enthusiasm for reading via literature circles (book discussion groups). Test and rubric results, survey responses, and interview comments affirm literature circles' value.…

Research of cognitive scientists is resulting in new learning theories through which students can move from novice to expert. How cognitive scientists work and how their results are applied are discussed. Reciprocal teaching, as implemented in the Springfield (Illinois) schools, provides an example of a successful research-based technique. (SLD)