Reviews the traditional concept of critical reading, and then reexamines critical reading by reviewing recent theory and research from three areas: schema theory, metacognition, and direct instruction. (MG)

The article reviews definitions of giftedness and gifted readers and reviews research on reading for the gifted. Also discussed are strategies and innovative practices that are effective with gifted readers, including interest assessment, learning styles evaluation, curriculum compacting, and the three types of enrichment in the Enrichment Triad…

Results of a recent study indicate that, when students write about relevant, personal experiences prior to reading a literary text, their understanding and engagement in the text are significantly improved. Recommends autobiographical writing before a reading assignment. (22 references) (MLF)

Defines the Paired Reading technique and comments upon minor variations. Discusses the background to Paired Reading, and the theoretical framework for the technique. Concludes that its effects are mediated by a number of different factors, and the technique should, therefore, be widely philosophically acceptable. (SR)

Examines the various meanings of "direct instruction" and "Direct Instruction." Provides a context for the intended and unintended use of these terms. Identifies three major components of direct instruction in reading and the sameness analysis that serves as a theoretical basis for designing reading instruction based on direct…

Describes the following research-based whole language instructional strategies: predictions as a prereading activity; "webbing" words or ideas around a specific topic; shared writing; journal writing; vocabulary development; clustering synonyms as a way of approaching new vocabulary; context clues; analogies; definition maps; and reading…

Addresses myth that children can comprehend text simply because they can decode the words in it. Provides evidence to support claim that developing readers benefit from explicit teaching of comprehension strategies via direct explanation and modeling of strategies. (Author/JDM)

Defines and discusses phonemic awareness, summarizes research regarding its importance for success in reading, and reviews literature on teaching phonemic awareness. Suggests a scope and sequence for teaching phonemic awareness and describes specific activities. (Author/JDM)

Presents the 1998 list of 27 topics that are currently "hot" and "not hot" in the field of reading instruction. Describes the rationale for and nature of the choices, and discusses the nature and significance of the ratings given by "literacy leaders" to these 27 issues. Offers references from both the professional literature and the popular…

In state legislatures and school boards around the country, the approach and the quality of reading instruction are under attack because of a decline in reading scores. The best reading instruction draws on the strengths of different philosophies. School boards should encourage schools to teach both phonics and the whole-language approach. (MLF)

This article explores how children with deafness learn to read. It discusses findings that indicate children with deafness read by using a code that is not based on sound, the importance of understanding the language that is mapped by the print system, and what types of interventions are needed. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

This article evaluates the "Report of the National Reading Panel: Teaching Children to Read: An Evidence-Based Assessment of the Scientific Research Literature on Reading and Its Implications for Reading Instruction: Reports of the Subgroups" (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, 2000). The author also examines the…

The issue of identifying reading difficulties and disabilities in English language learners (ELLs) is a complex one. It is an area that draws on the diverse disciplines of first- and second-language acquisition, literacy, English language learning, and reading, including differences and disabilities research. This literature review aims to…

This article is a review of the literature related to the reading attitudes and the instructional methods of teaching reading. The article provides a synthesis of previous studies on the reading attitudes of elementary school students in the United States and also addresses a brief review of literature on historic and traditional methods of…

This article explores research evidence on the teaching of reading from eight specific points: (1) readers engage in a complex, multi-level process that involves knowledge of sound-symbol relations, spelling patterns, vocabulary, sentence structures, propositional meanings, and realms of meaning beyond individual propositions; (2) literacy…