After reviewing previous research on the acquisition of vocabulary through contextual clues, research carried out with 429 students in the upper grades of an Italian elementary school is discussed. (12 references) (CFM)

Presents practical ideas for classroom use in literacy education, including a schoolwide reading incentive program; a center to publish students' work; a way to use the calendar to improve reading; and a method for using children's oral language patterns (such as jump rope rhymes) to teach reading skills and strategies. (PRA)

Examines students' perceptions of themselves as readers, their reading difficulties, and the strategies they use to solve reading problems. Suggests that poor readers in the elementary grades, especially those with word recognition problems, experience difficulties because they lack knowledge about when and why a particular strategy is effective.…

Ten children (ages 7-10) with visuoperceptual problems were compared to sighted children on lexical decision tasks with words, nonwords, and format distorted items. The partially sighted children relied on phonological mediation as well as the "visual" route in word recognition. Regularity effects, as well as effects of intact and disrupted…

Submits that children recognize their first words in a different way than they later decode. Compares the hypothesis that sight words are recognized as wholes to the hypothesis that sight words are recognized as parts. Finds support for the idea that first words are recognized by "selective association." (BS)

Describes using book diaries as a way for students to respond in writing to their reading as they practice the comprehension strategies learned in class; also describes using the diaries as an informal means of assessing students' learning and communicating regularly with parents. (MG)

Investigates the relationship between the reading comprehension and information processing strategies of fluent oral readers of Oriya (a language spoken in India) orthography. Notes that Oriya has some significant differences from English orthography. Finds that good comprehenders were relatively more intelligent that the poor comprehenders and…

The oral reading of 65 first-graders experiencing difficulties in beginning reading was observed during primary reading instructional time. Findings indicate most instruction for struggling readers was not aligned with recent research on preventing reading difficulties, and even struggling readers receiving reading instruction aligned with best…

Draws on social constructivist theory to present principles of reading instruction for struggling readers. Focuses on three social constructivist-based components that have been used successfully with struggling readers to enhance their reading instruction: a responsive literacy environment, explicit comprehension-strategy instruction, and time…

A focus on people--whether community members, students, historical figures, or fictional characters--and their motivations brings excitement to learning. A community's experts on everything from jazz music and Chinese tapestries to building construction can help students move inside history and other subjects. (MLH)

A key to the success of the Just Read and other effective reading programs is complete involvement of the entire school. School leaders must be committed to reading improvement, support teachers' efforts, and give them time to succeed. Overcoming parent and/or teacher resistance to involving reluctant readers is essential. (MLH)

Describes an elementary school study that investigated how to successfully implement the Accelerated Reader program, an electronic reading management program designed to replace standard book reports and raise students' motivation to read quality literature and help them become better readers. Topics include student attitudes; teacher attitudes;…

Compares the efficacy of a combination of phonological and strategy-based remedial approaches for reading disability with that of each approach separately. Study was based on interventions with 85 children with severe reading disability. Results indicate that a combination of Phonological Analysis and Blending/Direct Instruction and Word…

Four children with cerebral visual impairment caused by periventricular leukomalacia were followed for two years during their process of learning to read in mainstream classes. Two of the children were offered both Braille and print reading as reading media. The other two children read ordinary print without special teaching. Differences in…

Concept-Oriented Reading Instruction (CORI) offers children the opportunity for endless challenges and discovery. Engaged literacy learners are motivated, have conceptual understanding, use cognitive strategies, and interact socially. CORI is a classroom context that promotes literacy engagement in terms of seven dimensions: observational,…