This paper suggests a three-step approach for motivating and enabling eighth graders to authentically attempt to comprehend assigned passages from their U.S. history textbooks. The steps are the following: (1) attempt to activate prior knowledge and interest in textual readings by using relevant materials and varied literary sources to motivate…

Explains how teaching study skills using real content area materials was accomplished in an eighth-grade remedial reading class. Investigates student performance in social studies and science classes. Finds that students improved both the self-report of study habits and their grades in social studies and science classes. (RS)

Compares mnemonic imagery and traditional study strategies on enhancing students' recall of scientific expository text material. Finds that keywords and their mnemonic images can be helpful for above average students in facilitating recall of content information given sufficient instruction and practice time. (RS)

Formal cooperative learning strategies and simple peer support structures provide a potential means of accommodating diversity in ability through use of collaboration principles like group interdependence. The effectiveness of various peer tutoring and peer support strategies for students with comorbid learning and behavior problems has been well…

Describes a long-term project where middle school students were taught to visually represent key text ideas through idea-mapping techniques. Instruction was inserted in the content area curriculum along with regular textbooks and supplementary material. Positive effects were found in recall, comprehension, and learning. (MJP)