Explores the concept of emergent literacy, discussing what children know about reading and writing, how they come to know it, and what this information means for classroom practices and school policy. (MM)

Discusses the construction and testing of The Extended Basic Sight Vocabulary word list. Concludes that it provides educators with a unique instrument for the teaching and testing of words and for the preparation of instructional materials. Includes the word list. (FL)

Reports the findings of a study that sought (1) to confirm for Australian children the pattern of print concept acquisition noted in North America and New Zealand and (2) to determine whether children of varying reading proficiency can be differentiated in terms of their print concepts. (FL)

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 44-minute videotape, entitled "Emergent Reader--Mid-Year"…

This report describes a process for increasing primary students' reading comprehension skills through the use of a guided reading program. The targeted population consisted of primary students in a northwest suburban area of a large city in the Midwest. The problems of poor reading comprehension scores were documented through the use of the…

Educational reforms are advocated based on rationales that emerge from the research literature. However, evaluation studies seldom examine whether the rationales used to argue for a reform actually hold up when empirical evidence is examined after the reform has been implemented. This paper examines survey data from 3 years of analyses of early…

This paper examines the most damaging myths and misconceptions about reading instruction. The paper begins with what it considers the "most pernicious myth currently influencing reading instruction"--Learning to read is a natural process. Following this "Myth #1" are these myths: (2) Children will eventually learn to read if…

This pamphlet describes the Texas Reading Initiative, a comprehensive plan aimed at improving reading instruction in Texas and begun after a challenge was issued by Governor George W. Bush that each and every child must learn to read. It lists the 8 key elements that were established to guide the initiative (including increasing awareness of…

This collection of articles commemorates the 30th anniversary of an influential study by Guy Bond and Robert Dykstrain reading research, known as the First-Grade Studies. These articles provide a view of the historical implications of the First-Grade Studies and how the Studies continue to provide valuable insights for those who seek answers about…

The purpose of this study was to determine if the Phono-Graphix[TM] method, a reading program based on sounds, could help improve the spelling achievement of two kindergarten students. The students, identified as good readers/poor spellers, participated in eight 40-minute sessions. Their spelling skills were assessed before and after the…

In this 3-tape series and viewing guide, first-grade teacher Debbie Miller takes viewers beyond comprehension instruction, and shows how she sustains a primary reading program that challenges and supports readers of all abilities and needs. The viewing guide is designed to help facilitators use "Happy Reading" on workshop settings. The…

In years past, Maryland has provided little guidance toward adoption and implementation of Scientifically Based Reading Research (SBRR) programs. Only recently, with the implementation of the Comprehensive School Reform Demonstration program and the Reading Excellence Act (REA) program, have schools or local education agencies been required to…

This paper provides a literary review and research-based techniques for teaching reading. The paper also examines the different philosophies of reading to ascertain beneficial commonalities. Based on the literature review, a manual was produced to support administrators, teachers, and parents in securing quality reading instruction. Appendix A…

This nine-week study examined the effect of the Accelerated Reader program on the reading comprehension scores of third grade students in a socio-economically disadvantaged area of West Virginia. Two separate third grade classes, with different teachers, but within the same school, participated in this study. The experimental group of students was…