Documents the perceptions of literacy acquisition held by parents from three different cultural groups (Chinese Canadian, Euro-Canadian, and Indo-Canadian). Suggests that cultural membership is a crucial variable to examine, and that communicating dimensions of literacy programs to parents may be very difficult given the ways in which cultural…

Notes that teachers need to demonstrate a love of reading in order to pass it on to their students. Discusses ways to encourage a love of reading through book groups, reading goals, daily oral and silent reading, and sharing the impact of reading with students. (SC)

Describes a schoolwide reading project that involves parents in reinforcing children's application of reading skills. During Home Sustained Silent Reading (HSSR), both parents and children read without interruption for a fixed period of time to foster the enjoyment of reading. (SRT)

Concludes that providing black children with the inspiration, correct environment, and materials can allow them to express themselves in the ways they know best. Offers suggestions for teachers working with dialect speakers and a list of reading materials. (FL)

Analyzes the roles played by females in Judy Blume's "Are You There God? It's Me Margaret." Concludes that the book offers flat and unflattering portrayals of female characters. (FL)

Describes a reading program that used community volunteers to read aloud to elementary school children. (FL)

Presents a father's perspective on the outcome of tracking in school. Describes how a child with an early love of literacy ended up as a disabled reader. Points out how grouping and tracking systematically destroyed the child's ability and interest in reading. (SR)

Describes the developmental education program at Southeastern Louisiana State University and explains how it meets the needs of students who enter the university with inadequate academic preparation. Reports on a study that examined the students' self-concepts, attitudes toward reading, and learning styles. (FL)

This article discusses benefits of using literature circles with ELL students to strengthen literacy skills and student confidence. Highlighting one teacher's implementation of literature circles, the authors present a candid examination of areas of initial weakness and describe strategies used for improvements in subsequent "rounds." A discussion…

Using current technology and learning theory, computer-controlled literature programs have been and will be developed that allow children to interact with literature. This technique will help students' reading concepts fall into place more rapidly and gain the interest of those who do not respond well to traditional print media. (SRT)

Notes that research supports the idea that children are confused about concepts related to beginning reading instruction. Reports on assessment instruments that are commercially available or can be devised by teachers. (FL)

Offers strategies for increasing learning motivation in elementary school students that are borrowed from marketing techniques used by grocery stores including tie-ins, holiday or theme specials, shelving rules, and personalized attention. (SRT)

Outlines a development process that turns a reader into a mentor, someone who can recommend books to others with a high percentage of satisfied readers. Examines the influence of peers, teachers, and other adults for their ability to increase the amount and quality of what children read. (SRT)