This topical bibliography and commentary provides an overview of current thinking on the role of phonics in reading instruction. It discusses the value of phonics, phonics and phonemic awareness, the need for explicit instruction, principles in phonics instruction, and recommended instructional procedures. It concludes that findings from research…

Surveys current attitudes and ideas on how to motivate students to read literature. (JL)

Surveys materials in the ERIC system discussing the causes of reading reluctance and suggesting ways to encourage reading interest and skills. (HTH)

Describes ERIC documents pertaining to the role of parents in preparing their children to read and the ways in which they can help shape and strengthen a school's reading program. (FL)

Reviews materials from the ERIC database describing the variety of functions a high school reading lab can perform and suggesting ways to evaluate student improvement in the reading lab situation. (MKM)

Examines materials in the ERIC database on the Suggestopedia method of instruction which bypasses the mind's barriers to learning and increases learning and retention. (HTH)

Uses data from the ERIC system to review the practice of sustained silent reading. (FL)

Provides a nine-item annotated bibliography of material from the ERIC database focusing on independent reading and its importance in elementary secondary education. (MG)

Presents annotations of eight books, journal articles, and research reports (published between 1991 and 1995) on the topic of helping underachieving readers. (RS)

Statistics on the literacy skills of America's children reveal that approximately 40% of students across the nation cannot read at a basic level. And for low-income students, the figure is even worse. In response to this situation, a number of efforts are underway--spearheaded by federal and state policymakers and a number of independent…

Based on the idea that word knowledge has particular importance in literate societies, this Digest finds that most people feel that there is a common sense relationship between vocabulary and reading comprehension, i.e., messages are composed of ideas, and ideas are expressed in words. The Digest considers several viewpoints on teaching…

This teaching guide urges the use of sentence combining as a technique to improve both the reading and the writing of students. The guide offers practical activities in sentence combining in forms that will make classroom teaching more interesting for the instructor and elicit more productive work from the student. The guide is divided into the…

Presented in both Spanish and English, this guide for a parent involvement meeting is designed to help teachers and parents explore specific strategies to motivate children to become better readers and learners. The guide contains material necessary to conduct a 1- or 1.5-hour session on motivational techniques that parents can use at home with…

This book offers suggestions to help parents make their children successful readers and learners. The first chapter, Getting Started, discusses setting an example, being a tutor, creating a positive environment, and letting children be the stars. The second chapter, The Reading Process: Building Meaning, discusses setting a purpose, stages of the…

Describes ERIC materials that include a range of exercises involving photography, adaptable for most age groups, linking both reading and writing. (HOD)