Analyzes the cost of reading and language arts seatwork materials for second-graders. Reports that while a considerable amount of time and money is being spent on seatwork materials, they do not seem to be effective activities for developing reading abilities. (MM)

Recommends four resources (including basal materials) to use when designing reading-language arts curricula for classroom or school districts. (MG)

Shares the views of one professor of reading in Berlin on reading instruction in Germany both before and after the reunification of Germany. (MG)

Describes how the primary goal of the Parent Program was to constructively involve parents in their children's learning process. Notes how it gives them specific ideas and methods to assist their children in literacy acquisition. Hopes that the program will get materials in the homes that students might need while doing homework and get more…

Describes some of the research being done by the Center for the Study of Reading, a federally sponsored center established to pursue research into the processes underlying the development of reading comprehension by children in grades three through eight. (MKM)

Describes a simulated grouping exercise, carried out at a learning-disability conference in Texas, which revealed that grouping practices in 1985 may be flexible enough to allow teachers to select students, teaching techniques, and instructional materials. (MB)

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)

Presents and discusses a list of World Wide Web sites, and suggests possibilities for their use in creating writing-centered literacy experiences for students that promote both traditional and electronic literacy skills. Lists them in four major categories: teacher resources, student writing resources, interactive writing, and student publishing.…

Children arrive in classrooms with varied background knowledge, which means that teachers must select instructional methods, materials, and techniques to meet multiple needs. A carefully planned approach that includes direct and explicit instruction--as well as extensive opportunities for reading, writing, speaking, and listening--can help…

Discusses the fact that, although publishers have acknowledged the problem of sex bias in textbooks in the United States, guidelines lack specifics, timetables, and procedures for monitoring content and enforcing compliance with the guidelines. (MB)

Reports on the wide array of instructional resources created by teachers and students on the Internet as they envision new possibilities for literacy and learning, transform existing technologies to construct this vision, and share it with others. Describes central sites for Internet project descriptions, stories of teachers' journeys, exceptional…

Examines why videos are a good staff development tool. Discusses 14 recent educational videos appropriate for staff development in individual, small-group, or large-group settings. Notes responses from primary teachers and from pre-service teachers about the videos reviewed. (SR)

Discusses factors that must be considered before deciding on a reading skills management system. (MKM)