Describes a program in which preservice teachers served as tutors for at-risk first, second, and third graders in a tutorial model incorporating play and phonological awareness activities using puppets and comprehension strategy instruction using manipulatives. Finds that the program improved reading achievement for children at the first grade…

Reports on a program for the improvement of reading skills of children whose scores were below the 50th percentile on the reading subtest of the Stanford Achievement Test. Concludes that, in general, the program helped poor readers improve their reading skills. (SRT)

Identifies effective teaching methods that can enhance the reading skills of fourth grade African American students. Notes that the teachers identified independent reading and writing, phonics and vocabulary, teacher modeling, the use of multicultural materials, engagement of parental involvement, incorporating prior knowledge, and cooperative…

Describes a system used for introducing expository text structure to upper elementary and middle school students through the use of narrative picture books. Includes graphic organizers for expository text patterns, forms for expository discourse, and lists of narrative picture books and of nonfiction magazine articles according to their expository…

Identifies three problem areas in teaching students with limited English proficiency to read: (1) the readers' input (what they bring to the reading process), (2) the author's input, and (3) the reading process itself. Recommends that teachers acquaint themselves with students' prior knowledge and language competence level and strive for a balance…

Describes a variety of simple, structured techniques that reading teachers might recommend to parents who want to help their children. (ARH)

Reviews research showing the positive effects of reading aloud to preschool children in the areas of language development, reading interests, reading and academic readiness, and social attitudes. (FL)

Indicates that it is feasible to include selected expressive and receptive language activities (focusing on syntactic-semantic relationships) into reading instruction for primary grade students. (FL)

Examines four case study pairings of college student volunteer tutors with fourth-grade at-risk children. Notes that the efforts of these tutors and their students all resulted in significant literacy gains. Describes in detail the social interactions of these dyads and identifies common themes, characteristics, and categories which emerged from…

Discusses characteristics of withdrawn children and describes actions the teacher can take to help such children progress in reading. (MKM)