The reading instruction methods of Sylvia Ashton-Warner are succeeding in the classrooms of the nine teachers involved in the Vancouver Project. (IRT)

The "Book Buddies" manual and "Emergent Reader" training videos provide comprehensive and easy-to-implement guidelines for setting up and running a successful tutorial program in the early grades. Portraying the "Book Buddies" model in practice, this 51-minute videotape entitled "Emergent Reader--Day One"…

This report states that in 1998-1999 and 1999-2000 in Maine the number of Reading Recovery programs provided increased by 5% and 11% respectively, and that more than half of all Reading Recovery[R] students successfully completed the program. The report also states that students who successfully completed Reading Recovery[R] continued to improve…

This position paper on teaching children to read explains with several examples exactly what "quagmires" are and how they hamper children as they learn the elements of reading basics. The paper takes a multidisciplinary approach to attacking stumbling blocks to learning most often experienced by child learners. To explain the concept of quagmire,…

Based on meetings of educators representing the diversity of literacy organizations in Texas, this pamphlet addresses the need for a balanced and comprehensive approach to reading instruction--an approach that recognizes the importance of phonemic awareness, explicit letter-sound instruction, and word recognition practice as well as focused…

In Reading Recovery, training participants sit in a circle to discuss lessons that have been communally observed. The rationale for sitting in a circle without a table for discussion can be better understood by considering these two ideas: (1) the role of language in learning; and (2) the way conversation is affected by the physical positioning of…

This newsletter of the Southwest Educational Development Laboratory (SEDL)contains a collection of articles which discuss various aspects of early literacy. Articles in the newsletter are: "Introduction: Reading Instruction, a Key to the Future"; "Ensuring Early Literacy through Coherent Instruction" (Leslie Blair);…

This slide presentation outlines one state's (Utah) version of implementation of a model for literacy learning under the Reading Excellence Act (REA). According to the presentation, the model is called "The Utah Reads K-3 Literacy Model." The presentation is divided into the following sections: Utah's Vision: What We've Learned So Far;…

Affirms that critical reading can be taught in basic reading courses and suggests several teaching techniques to improve critical reading skills. (RB)

Children who are reading well as they enter first grade usually have extensive vocabularies and good retention. Teachers should assess the students' various levels of reading ability (word recognition and comprehension) to plan a program with differentiated methods. (CL)

Reading for primary level gifted children should provide for more appropriate experiences than by mere adaptations of the regular reading program. Early identification should be followed by small group instruction in which gifted students are encouraged to read widely, creatively, and critically. (CL)

Commonalities and variations across basal reading programs are discussed. The major physical and instructional components are described, including instructional materials, teachers' guides, and management systems. It is asserted that familiarity with basal programs is useful for the school psychologist. Procedures are suggested for acquiring…