Students' achievement rises when teachers develop a variety of materials and provide differentiated instruction. (Author)

The third in a series of reports on the educational applications of computers. Focuses on ERIC materials that can help educators learn more about the graphic capabilities of CRTs. (FL)

Discusses instructional approaches to content area reading that are described in ERIC documents. Among the areas discussed are prereading activities; strategies to support comprehension as students read; an integrated approach to vocabulary, comprehension, and textbook organization; and kits of materials for integrating reading skills into content…

Notes that in Nigeria, where English is the language of instruction, more English language literature books for children, as well as those in the indigenous languages, are needed to encourage children to read for pleasure. (FL)

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)

Describes a program called "Get Acquainted with My Books" which introduces children to the books in their classroom library by having them write reviews. Notes that the program has proven successful in getting reluctant readers interested in reading. (SR)

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)

Highlights the instructional benefits of alphabet books for students aged 8 to 11. Discusses their features and uses. Provides an annotated, categorized bibliography of alphabet books appropriate for students beyond the beginning reading level. (SR)

This research synthesis examines 21 content-analysis studies conducted between 1966 and 2003 that focused on Hispanic portrayal in children's books. Specifically, it looks at how the literature has evolved in terms of amount of representation, characters' roles, and stereotyping. Findings vary by book type, Hispanic subgroup, and comparative…

Describes how to use wordless picture books to develop reading readiness and language competence. (MKM)

Contains a brief review of the research on moral themes in basal reading series and their influence on children and summarizes an investigation which explored the frequency of moral decisions in stories in basal readers and identified those characters who posed the moral questions and those who solved moral dilemmas. (Author/RB)

Reports on a study that examined which of four major components of word problem solving ability was currently keeping a student from solving word problems. Reviews two recent series of supplementary materials that show promise for helping teachers improve their students' problem interpretation. (FL)