A principal motivated students to read independently by challenging them to select their group prize if they could attain a school goal by reading 20 minutes daily at home. Gains in student morale and reading achievement are attributed to the plan. (MJL)

Explains the relevance of reading-comprehension research for classroom teachers, discussing how knowledge of the world and active engagement with ideas in the text influence comprehension and looking at how to develop both these capabilities. Four sections discuss the power of background knowledge, reading aloud and discussing literature with…