Notes that children's views of themselves as readers and the reading strategies they develop are rarely considered in reading assessment. Emphasizes that, through observations, interviews, and instructional techniques, teachers can broaden evaluations to include student perceptions, thereby gaining a greater understanding of students, and giving…

Criticizes Marie Carbo's article, "Debunking the Great Phonics Myth" (in Kappan's November 1988 issue), for waging a relentless debate against phonics and falsely attributing low U.S. reading achievement scores to a phonics emphasis. Clears up confusions and inaccuracies in Carbo's article concerning first and second editions of the…

Discusses research that supports the view that early phonological awareness affects children's ability to exploit the alphabetic system, and so to develop a sublexical route from print to sound to meaning. Discusses implications for teachers. (RS)

Discusses the elements of reading instruction which are necessary for success with students who have not benefited from indirect or implicit instruction. Demonstrates how characteristics of effective instruction can be integrated into reading instruction by offering a sample lesson on reading fluency. (RS)

Project Read, which began 10 years ago as a collaborative reading strategy, has evolved into the Inquiring School model. This model arose from the realization that critical literacy strategies and structures work equally well in kindergarten, sixth grade, peer coaching, or at faculty meetings. Key elements are improved classroom practice,…

Addresses the difficulties for upper elementary students in shifting from reading to learn to reading for content. Suggests that integrating reading instruction into social studies lessons will help students improve in confidence and responsibility for learning. Includes detailed plans for two lessons and the strategies to be used. (DK)

It is time to stop blaming children's nonreading on innate intelligence, ethnicity, socioeconomic background, TV-watching, or other factors beyond teachers' control. Too many schools are boring kids with dull texts and basal readers. Kids read about topics that interest them and particularly enjoy mystery, adventure, humor stories. Matching…

Examines strategy use of biliterate third- and fourth-grade readers reading in Spanish and in English. Finds that students reported the same number and same type of strategies whether reading in Spanish or English; reading times and gist recall on the retellings did not differ for the two languages; and strategy use was related to comprehension.…

Presents a discussion of the ideas that are central to the concept of literature-based reading instruction. Reviews the theory, gives insights from reading research, stresses the importance of literature in the reading program, and offers strategies for literature-based reading instruction. (PRA)

Summarizes a longitudinal study examining the relationship between the abilities of young children to read and spell phonologically. Shows that children acquire the ability to use a phonological strategy for spelling before the ability to use an equivalent strategy for reading is confirmed. Discusses implications for reading instruction. (MG)

Suggests that while the efficacy of whole group instruction may be questionable for a variety of levels of reading needs, it can be particularly questionable for gifted readers. Notes that is important not to overlook the reading needs of gifted readers just because they seem to learn so quickly. (RS)

Examines the effectiveness of strategy training for younger readers. Discusses strategies for development of comprehension, including making predictions (both before and during reading), question generating, and summarization. Offers examples of how these strategies can be embedded through literature-circle discussions and gives a suggested…

Presents a basic vocabulary strategy to boost elementary students' reading comprehension and success. The three steps include identifying vocabulary words that students will need to comprehend the reading; preteaching only three to five words; and connecting the new words to concepts that students already know. (SM)

Argues that historical understanding requires historical thinking--taking a critical stance toward what is read and assuming a questioning attitude. Identifies numerous trade books that deal with sources (showing how evidence is acquired and evaluated), conflicting interpretations, and powerful concepts and generalizations. Describes how to help…

A study involving 28 teachers found Peer-Assisted Literacy Strategies (PALS) enhanced reading performance of first-grade students, although not equally for all learner types. Students who were low-achieving who participated in both PALS and teacher-directed small-group mini-lessons benefited more greatly than students who participated only in…