Reexamines the five criteria for selecting instructional resources: content validity, transfer potential, amount of reinforcement, quality of directions and instructional language, and adaptability and flexibility. Reviews "Listening: The Basic Connection," a listening program for third through eighth grade. (MG)

Describes six criteria for evaluating materials that will be addressed in forthcoming columns: content validity, transfer potential, adaptability/flexibility, amount of reinforcement, quality of directions and instructional language, and bias. Uses this criteria to evaluate "First-Start Read-Along Program 5," a reading series for primary students.…

Adds content bias to the other criteria (content validity, transfer potential, amount of reinforcement, quality instructional language, and adaptability/flexibility) discussed previously in this column. Reviews seven literature resource materials to present a full set of criteria for evaluating them and to share new materials. (MG)

Reviews the full set of criteria to measure instructional resources. Reviews six new resources on comprehension materials that are appropriate for classroom use. (MG)

Reviews the five criteria with which to evaluate instructional materials (content validity, transfer potential, amount of reinforcement, quality of directions and instructional language, and adaptability/flexibility). Presents content bias as the last criterion. Reviews four resources for developing reference and study skills. (MG)

Discusses the importance of vocabulary development in literacy programs. Uses six criteria to describe the ideal vocabulary development resource with the awareness that most commercially available resources will need to be supplemented by the teacher. Reviews five instructional resources available for the intermediate and middle school grades. (MG)

Describes four comprehension materials that exemplify good use of instructional language and directions while maintaining high degrees of validity, transfer potential, and amount of reinforcement. (MG)

Reviews two instructional resources which encourage the use of poetry in the elementary classroom as a unique genre with its own purposes and value. Uses the six criteria (explained in earlier columns) to detail how the resources were selected. (MG)

Discusses evaluating resources for integrating science and social studies with the language arts by using questions that teacher-reviewers used when evaluating those resources. Reviews trade books and other resources designed for the integration of science and social studies. (MG)

Discusses the importance of the adaptability and flexibility of instructional resource materials. Highlights one quality resource for young readers, "Bookshelf, Stage 1," and another for intermediate level students, "Reading beyond the Basal Plus." (MG)

Discusses the selection criteria of reinforcement in phonics materials. Reports on a search for phonics materials which met the criteria of having an appropriate amount of reinforcement, high transfer potential, and high content validity. Finds that "Signals Video Learning Series" is a satisfactory phonics program. (MG)

Offers a five-point checklist that educators might use to determine the content validity of materials labeled whole language. Recommends "The Whole Language Sourcebook" and the "Story Box" program as high content validity materials. (MG)

Uses the examination of materials designed to teach critical reading to review the three criteria discussed in previous Instructional Resources columns: content validity, transfer potential, and amount of reinforcement. (MG)

Examines materials designed to improve children's writing or composition abilities. Focuses on whether the materials have students use the task/strategy/skill in such a way that they can transfer the task to other materials in reading or writing situations that serve a real function. (MG)

Presents six key questions to ask about any instructional resource. Suggests a few specific questions to ask when selecting decoding and comprehension games and manipulatives. Presents seven instructional games and manipulatives appropriate for classroom use. (MG)