Compiled by teachers, administrators, curriculum planners, and librarians, this list is intended to help local level curriculum planners and teachers select books for their reading programs and evaluate their literature programs, and to encourage students to read by improving their reading attitudes. To accommodate a variety of tastes, abilities,…

This presentation describes how to use reading to improve second language acquisition. Part 1, "Building Awareness of Reading Habits and Attitudes," has students report their habits and attitudes about reading in English and their native language and recognize the importance of reading for improving English skills. Part 2, "Choosing a Book," has…

If, ideally, reading begins at home, with children listening eagerly to interesting stories, then this experience must be duplicated in the classroom for reluctant readers. Listening to good stories can motivate students to develop reading skills. Activities of the Reading Center (Auckland, New Zealand) are described. (PP)

Describes over 20 picture books that motivate beginning readers to become more proficient at reading and to develop a love of reading. Discusses the role of illustrations in engaging the reader and contributing to story development. Recommends parental assistance to help children enjoy the books' humor and subtitles. (JB)

One approach to helping children to become literate is to use good children's literature in the classroom. Children's trade books are now available on a variety of topics. Many of them are traditional stories, but more authors are also writing historical fiction, biographies, and science books. This variety of materials allows the teacher to use…

A study was conducted to survey the attitudes of elementary students toward read-aloud experiences. Subjects were 575 children in grades one through six. The results of first grade students were omitted due to inconsistencies in their responses. The remaining grade level distribution consisted of 137 second graders, 121 third graders, 145 fourth…

A study explored the development of emergent literacy among inner-city kindergarten children participating in a "read-at-home" program. The program focused on the enjoyment of reading, required minimal involvement from the classroom teacher, and encouraged parents to become involved in any way they wanted. Twenty-eight children, enrolled…

There is no shortage of surveys on children's and young adults' leisure time reading interests, stretching as far back as 1888 in Great Britain and 1897 in the United States. The most comprehensive research undertaken in Great Britain was a study conducted by the Schools Council, published by Macmillan in 1975 as "Children and Their…

Parents and teachers need to be involved in teaching children to read and to enjoy reading. There are three planks in a platform that will help all parents become involved in their children's learning to read. First, parents must set the example. If they want their children to read, parents must read around them and to them. Secondly, they must…

Uses analogy of patchwork quilt square to describe the reading instruction methods comprising one school's first-grade reading program. Parts include guided reading and centers, guided writing, reading workshops, reading strategies, comprehension through retelling and responding, word study, good literature, a print-rich environment, and strong…

A study examined the effectiveness of the Parent Readers program, an intergenerational reading project which attempted to change the reading behaviors of underprepared community college students who are parents and to affect the literacy environment of the home in ways that promote the literacy status of the parents/students and their children.…

Many gifted children enter kindergarten already reading and in need of reading instruction that is different from the regular program. A reading program for gifted youngsters that is literature-based will help develop comprehension skills at the highest cognitive levels and will also foster the desire to read. Beginning with the interpretation of…

This book examines ways parents can use their child's interests to develop positive reading attitudes, read aloud to their child, and select books for children--with the goal of developing life-long readers. The first chapter, Creating Interest and Positive Attitudes, discusses developing an early interest in reading, the "language story"…

Considers several topics related to children and reading, including the author's childhood reading experiences, her experiences writing about and teaching children's literature, the effects of television on reading, types of literature-based reading programs, and requirements for a successful reading program. (23 references) (MES)

Used class discussions to explore the influence of gender on beginning readers in a Grade 1 classroom. Found that although children's mothers read the most often, both parents did read to their children. Familiarity, genre, and challenge influenced children's reading selections. Also found gender differences in book preferences and reading…