Which elementary reading approaches have been proven to help struggling readers to succeed? To find out, this review summarizes evidence on six types of programs designed to improve the reading achievement of children having difficulty in learning to read: (1) One-to-One Tutoring by Teachers (TT) such as "Reading Recovery," "Auditory…

A review of research on phonics, concluding that phonics instruction should be minimal. (DD)

This monograph reviews discussions of the nature of syllables, in order to determine the usefulness of the syllable as a tool in teaching children to read and spell. The review found that the nature of the syllable remains controversial; there are at least four different definitions in the contemporary literature. The sharpest disagreements seem…

Suggests that teaching words with a regular phonetic structure first will help children learn, and presents lists of words with regular phonetic structure and three procedures teachers can use in an instructural program. (JM)

This textbook is a first reader that includes exercises on phonetics and word-building, word grouping, introduction of phonic elements, the grouping or indentation of sentences, nursery rhymes, and the letters of the alphabet. Footnotes and references are provided for teacher's guidance.

Two groups of first graders (n=63) participated in a 10-day intervention study in which they were instructed in the spelling of five final letter patterns in monosyllabic words. Children receiving phoneme instruction improved accuracy of final pattern spelling as well as speed of word reading over children receiving rime instruction. (Contains…

This book describes the step-by-step procedures of a program for reading, writing, and spelling. First published in 1972, it has been revised and expanded so that not only teachers but also parents and other interested adults can use the prescribed sequential lesson plans for one-to-one reading and spelling instruction. Stressing a positive…

Assesses the extent to which 30 third graders employ phonetically-based spelling strategies in representing synthetic words with high and mid front vowels. Finds spelling of good readers rule-governed and derived from judgement about language while that of poor readers showed less awareness of written language patterns. (LFL)

A study that examined perceptions and knowledge of 252 preservice educators and 286 inservice educators about early reading instruction found inservice educators had more positive attitudes about explicit code instruction and preservice educators were more positive about implicit code instruction. However, both groups demonstrated limited…