This article synthesizes results from 5 studies that used noncertified tutors to work with at-risk primary-grade readers. Each of the studies featured (1) twice-weekly tutoring lessons that included guided reading, word study, and reading for fluency; and (2) supervision of the tutoring by a knowledgeable reading teacher. Results from the 5…

This information sheet (the third in a new government series published for teachers, parents, and others interested in current education themes) offers a brief overview of Reading Recovery, an early intervention program to help low-achieving 6-year-olds learn to read. The information sheet discusses what Reading Recovery is, what its components…

A 10-week study examined whether the use of computers could be more effective than basal readers for improving reading comprehension at the primary level. Subjects, 12 students from the second grade, were divided into two groups, 6 in the experimental group using computers only and 6 in the control group using basal readers only. Both groups used…

Reviews a number of beginning reading materials that can be used in improving children's reading skills in a variety of content areas. (FL)

Discusses why the shared book experience with poetry is an important part of the reading program in a second-grade classroom. Outlines reasons for using poetry; discusses what to do in the classroom in using poetry to develop reading skill and fluency; and describes where the shared book experience with poetry fits into a reading program. (SR)

Argues that the singing-reading connective helps children learn to read and fosters a love for reading. Discusses integrating music with reading and notes various activities designed to extend the singing-reading experience, involving book concepts, sight vocabulary, reading comprehension, and fluency. (SR)

Describes how to implement the technique called "Read a Book in an Hour" with children at the critical transition stage when they are faced with longer texts and fewer illustrations. Provides a list of books appropriate for teachers who wish to use the technique with upper primary students. (KEH)

Describes a 12-week peer tutoring reading program for primary students. Students showed significant reading gains when compared with a control group, but lost these gains when they returned to individual silent reading. Concludes that peer tutoring is an under-utilized but valuable teaching strategy. (Author/LS)

Describes a Reading Recovery case study involving a first-grade student who was at risk for learning how to read and write. Notes that this student learned to read strategically and was accelerated to the average band in her classroom after 81 Reading Recovery lessons, without first knowing the alphabet. (SR)

Compares teaching emphasizing story meaning (major plot elements) with teaching emphasizing surface features of language (word analysis and accurate reading). Finds an emphasis on story meaning led to superior performance on an array of outcome measures. Finds differences especially notable for children in low and average reading groups. (SR)

Focuses on the relationship between the development of segmental awareness and dyslexia. Finds that students in two training programs that taught the skills required to use phonemes performed as well as normal readers on phoneme segmentation tasks. Notes that the improvements were correlated in dictation but not in reading. (RS)

This article describes the Schoolwide Reading Improvement Model and its stages and application in the primary grades of two schools. The model assumes that reading improvement requires a multidimensional intervention based on research and integration of curriculum, instruction, and assessment and must build on the conditions and contexts of the…

Investigates effects of paired reading on reading fluency and reading accuracy of four English-as-a-second-language (ESL) students with limited English proficiency. Shows that the students benefited from the paired reading intervention and demonstrated steady improvement in reading fluency and accuracy. Indicates that paired reading can serve as a…

Presents a discussion paper reflecting on the National Literacy Strategy (NLS) after one year of operation. Argues that once the NLS becomes established it will be necessary for all teachers to engage with the research literature so that they teach from a position of professional understanding of the processes involved in reading and writing…