Discusses test-taking skills and their application to tests of reading achievement. Presents a rationale for teaching these skills, lists a comprehensive set of skills relevant to standardized reading tests, and offers suggestions for teaching the skills and helping children use them. (FL)

Lists reading materials that can help students learn more about topics in which they are interested, learn to do new things, and entertain themselves. (FL)

Contains suggestions from eight contributors regarding: (1) reading comprehension in beginning readers, (2) a directed spelling/thinking activity, (3) a marathon reading activity, (4) creative dramatics, (5) constructing a reading diagnosis package, (6) increasing parent involvement in the reading program, (7) vocabulary development, and (8) word…

Contains contributions dealing with the following: (1) teaching short vowels, diagraphs, and consonant blends; (2) affective planning in reading instruction; (3) phonics; (4) integrating reading and science instruction; (5) vocabulary; (6) story structure in children's book choices; (7) preventing summer reading loss; and (8) writing assignments…

Argues that a portfolio is a place for teachers to organize information, demonstrate growth and development, and make their thinking visible, but also allows them to monitor and manage their own learning--truly a professional development tool. Reviews briefly four books on teacher portfolios. (SR)

Lists some factors that can complicate the reading process for nonnative speakers of English. Offers suggestions and strategies that can support students as they strive to acquire skills, such as orthography, phonology, cultural background, and vocabulary. Concludes that a culturally relevant teaching approach means that students' second languages…

Explains the game of "Words of Fortune" in which students act out vocabulary words. Notes that this activity provides students the opportunity to make strong visual, aural, and kinesthetic connections with vocabulary lists. Concludes that "Words of Fortune" helps students write better sentences for vocabulary assessment. (PM)

Notes that it is not unusual for students with autism to follow a different curriculum than the one offered to their classmates. Suggests the following strategies for designing lessons that are appropriate, appealing, and challenging for every learner in an inclusive classroom: recognize all literacies; capitalize on students' interests; use a…

Reports on an educational project that focused on the nature of the support one teacher gave to the children in her kindergarten class while engaging with them in literacy play. Contends that the project revealed that young children have their own assumptions about and knowledge of the written language, which they actively use in their play. (PM)

Shares reading activities--using cereal boxes as reading material--which will energize knowledge and use of vocabulary, fortify comprehension skills, enrich understanding of critical reading, promote use of organizational skills, and encourage improved reporting and writing. (MG)

Describes a method of increasing vocabulary recognition of Chapter 1 elementary students by using mastery words from basal programs, sight word cards, and modified cloze stories. (MG)

Examines current research concerning various instructional approaches for introducing print related concepts to preschool children. Discusses the nature of preschool literacy skills in light of research findings. Concludes that a whole language approach enhances initial print concepts and develops analytical reading related skills. (MM)

Annotates and reviews five professional resources concerning the comprehension processes of reading and mathematics and recommends several ideas for classroom practice. (MG)

Addresses two broad issues: the current understanding of spelling development and how this understanding fits within a broader model of literacy development; and the implications of the developmental model for spelling instruction and word study. Suggests that it is essential that instruction balance authentic reading and writing with purposeful…