Argues that teachers should apply the same techniques to teach expository writing in social studies textbooks as they do with teaching children's literature. Presents four activities that can be used in whole class and small group instruction. Provides examples and a 13-item bibliography of more information. (CFR)

Examines the content of eight basal reading series (published in 1989) to determine how and the extent to which lessons and activities that promote metacomprehension behaviors necessary for independent reading were included. Finds that basal authors made considerable efforts to incorporate activities and lessons that promote or foster strategic…

American students don't read because they associate reading with pain. Successful reading styles programs identify students' reading styles, use reading methods and materials matching reading style strengths, demonstrate high achievement expectations and respect for learning style differences, use reading materials reflecting student's interests,…

Reviews research and instruction using think alouds. Notes that teachers using think alouds to model strategies implies a model of learning in which teachers construct knowledge and transmit it to their students. Suggests that using students as think aloud models represents a more recent theory of knowledge as socially constructed and represents…

Describes Peer-Assisted Learning Strategies for First-Grade Readers, a type of classwide peer tutoring designed specifically to help general-education teachers prevent, or at least reduce, early reading failure. A description of program components, empirical evidence of its effectiveness, and case studies are presented. (Author/CR)

Describes how the author worked with one struggling reader to help him learn to make balanced and consistent use of different cues for word identification (graphophonic cues, how words look, grammatical appropriateness of words, sentence meaning, or background knowledge). (SR)

Describes how one elementary level special educator taught reading to special needs students by implementing a word wall using brain-based learning and constructivist concepts, which led to student and teacher empowerment. The paper also looks at the benefits of using authentic literature-based reading strategies. (SM)

Describes two classroom activities that can be implemented in accordance with the best practices revealed by current research on reading instruction with learning disabled students. Describes what research suggests for promoting comprehension for students with reading difficulties. Describes instructional sequences for two literacy activities,…

Describes Retrospective Miscue Analysis (RMA), an instructional strategy that invites readers to reflect on their own reading process. Explains several variations on the RMA strategy. (SR)

Describes the Arkansas Comprehensive School Reform Model, which focuses on staff development and a collaborative support system for teaching reading in the elementary grades. Reports that preliminary results indicate an average increase of at least 20% on standardized testing scores for students in model classrooms. (NB)

Describes a six-trait reading model called the TRAITS of an Effective Reader that provides a reading assessment framework for classrooms, schools, and school districts. Explains trait-based reading assessment and discusses the six traits that make up this model: conventions, comprehension, context, interpretations, synthesis, and evaluation. (NB)

Discusses materials that foster engagement in the learning process for students, teachers, and parents. Looks at three sets of materials helpful for vocabulary and comprehension strategy development: (1) guiding teachers and students through the think-along process for developing reading comprehension; (2) building vocabulary and comprehension at…

A study found children (ages 7-12) with difficulties in phonemic awareness and word identification who received Fast ForWord (FFW) training (n=11) and Orton Gillingham (OG) training (n=9) made similar gains in phonemic awareness. Unlike children who received FFW, children who received OG training made significant gains in word attack. (Contains…

Guided reading is a major component of a comprehensive or balanced reading program. Most teachers understand the value of guided reading in the classroom but have difficulty managing effective implementation. They often ask, "What will the other students be doing when I am working with a guided reading group, and how do I manage all the children…

Reviews four major federal initiatives to improve early reading and literacy programs in the U.S.: Title One Reading program, the Reading Excellence Act, Even Start Family Literacy Program, and the Leave No Child Behind Act. Concludes that these expensive reading programs have not been very successful. (Contains 22 references.) (CAK)