Developing silent fluent reading is an important goal to be achieved in elementary literacy instruction. This article reviews characteristics of effective silent reading fluency instruction and practice. Next, the authors make the case for four components of effective silent reading fluency practice routines. Finally, the authors describe two…

This study was conducted to ascertain if repeated reading or question generation was more effective at improving reading fluency and comprehension of fourth- through sixth-grade students with learning disabilities or reading problems. Adult tutors trained by the investigator conducted the interventions. Instructional components and training within…

Discusses research the author undertook with a class of fifth graders, in which they read and discussed popular series books. Shares examples of their talk about the topic and what that talk reveals about the potential of the classroom as a space to reveal, complicate, and challenge gendered assumptions about what is desirable or appropriate…

Describes a late intervention for older students with significant reading difficulties. Describes the kinds of reading and writing assessments necessary to determine a starting place for teachers. Finds that in almost every case, the students made substantial gains in a short period of time, and the teachers expressed satisfaction with both their…

Explores the unique reading strategies needed for the World Wide Web. Considers additions needed in the repertoire of teaching reading strategies when computers are the medium. Argues that Internet technology has had a significant impact upon reading strategies, resulting in a need to reshape thinking about classroom reading practices. (SG)

Examines the use of the Herringbone technique as a writing tool with fourth-grade children. Notes that the Herringbone technique provides students with a structure for identifying and organizing important story elements and observing relationships when reading or writing. Demonstrates that the Herringbone strategy is a useful tool for effective…

Attempts to address, on behalf of the teacher of reading, some pedagogically significant aspects of metacognition. Tests the effect of using Metacognitive Awareness Guidance (MCAG) in reading assessment tasks given to nine-year-old Israeli pupils. Notes teachers' reactions related to four aspects: use of self-talk, use of metacognitive learning…

Describes how in the examination of a sixth-grade girl's participation in the language arts classroom that is driven by high-stakes testing and by a regimented classroom culture, the authors came to view students' approaches to literacy events as "stances" and their negotiation of their subjectivities in response to literacy events as…

Presents a case study of an integrated approach to teaching history, literacy and music, in a Year 6 class. Suggests success was due to use of varied teaching approaches including storytelling, drama, singing and discussion. Emphasizes links between genuine historical tasks, and activities in the National Literacy Strategy. Suggests how music…

A study examined the effect of Direct Instruction (DI) on the reading achievement of sixth graders. Subjects were 72 Chicago Public School students, nearly 100% minority. In the school year of 1994-95 no students received DI. A sample of 30 students who performed poorly, with stanines of 1, 2, and 3 on the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS) were…

Describes how and why the author and his colleagues used reading conferences to assist upper-grade elementary students who struggle with reading. Describes teaching readers to choose books wisely; coaching them in thinking about the text while figuring out print; the usefulness of interruptions and word-building; working with writing; and keeping…

Discusses challenges of teaching reading with children's literature. Presents a fourth-grade teacher's experience beginning her first full year of teaching. Notes that the novel "Call It Courage" revolutionized the teacher's concept of teaching with literature. Concludes that with the current call for a greater emphasis on direct skills…

Synthesizes the case study of one struggling fourth-grade reader who participated in a semester-long, literature-based, e-mail collaborative with a pre-service teacher. Explores the nature of this e-mail partnership. Suggests that the authentic, social nature of e-mail serves as a motivating literacy event for the fourth grader. Discusses…

A study examined the effectiveness of the Title 1 Middle School Summer program that provided students at two middle schools in the Columbus, Ohio public school district with background experiences to help them connect learning to living. Mathematics and literacy lessons were developed around travel experiences to museums, zoos, baseball games, Sea…

A study examined whether implementing reading computer assisted instruction compared to traditional reading instruction will produce more effective comprehension at the elementary school level. Subjects, 30 fifth-grade boys and girls in a low socioeconomic area of Brooklyn, New York, were divided into experimental and control groups. Subjects in…