Relates how an eighth grade teacher read an unfamiliar book for the first time along with her students, thus seeing the story through their eyes and modeling for them the kinds of strategies a good reader naturally employs. Notes that students responded positively, doing most of the talking and much of the discussion and class preparation. (SR)

Finds that, when middle school students write about relevant personal experiences before reading, they enjoy and comprehend the text more, are more on-task, offer more sophisticated responses to characters, and like the texts more. (SR)

Reveals the phases through which an apathetic eighth-grade class of poor readers went on their way to becoming active learners. The phases included: (1) discussing attitudes and goals; (2) positive environment; (3) sharing literature through oral reading; (4) reading for an audience; and (5) active learning. (SKC)