Four case studies informed by phenomenology were conducted using classroom observations and interviews with children, parents, and teachers to explore how children experienced the phenomenon of learning to read in one first-grade classroom defined by RTI policy. Charmaz's (2006) grounded coding model involving initial, focused, and theoretical…

Many reading programs today overlook an essential component of literacy instruction--helping children develop an enduring love of reading. This authoritative and accessible guide provides a wealth of ideas for incorporating high-quality children's books of all kinds into K-6 classrooms. Numerous practical strategies are presented for engaging…

A FORCED-CHOICE TYPE OF QUESTIONNAIRE WAS USED TO STUDY THE READING MOTIVES OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND THE EFFECT OF INTELLIGENCE, READING LEVEL, SEX, AGE, AND SOCIAL CLASS ON INFORMATIONAL, IDENTIFICATIONAL, ESTHETIC, AND RECREATIONAL MOTIVES. DEFINITIONS OF EACH MOTIVE AND A LIST OF REASONS FOR READING WERE GIVEN TO FIVE JUDGES FOR…

Reprints a classic article published in this journal in 1970. Considers the interplay between interest, motivation, and self direction on the one hand, and the reading levels concept on the other hand. Warns that the concept of reading levels is often focused on errors, and that this tends to distort perceptions with regard to the primary goal of…

A total of 162 elementary school children who were underachieving in reading were selected to participate in a supplementary program that used paperback books to improve reading competency. Exit scores were predicted for each student. The program focused on the following components: encouraging students to read from a wide selection of readily…

Describes the "quick book share," an activity used by a seventh-grade reading and language arts teacher, in which students in small groups share with each other their passion for a particular book, thus getting recommendations from each other, and letting the teacher know what books are being read in the reading workshop. (SR)

The importance of independent reading is advocated for success both in school and out of school. The following four strategies are presented to stimulate children's interest in reading and to assist the teacher in providing an environment in which independent reading becomes a student practice: (1) provide opportunities for students to see, hear,…

Intended for classroom teachers and administrators who want their schools to reflect commitment to the idea that reading for pleasure is an essential part of every successful reading program, this book provides suggestions by which educators can coordinate their efforts with librarians and parents to get children to read voluntarily. The book is…

Literary instruction as a central element of language instruction for non-language majors at the secondary and college level is advocated to remotivate American students to learn languages. This approach is not directed at those who need oral skills, such as prospective language teachers, interpreters, and translators. It is suggested that more…

Outlines a development process that turns a reader into a mentor, someone who can recommend books to others with a high percentage of satisfied readers. Examines the influence of peers, teachers, and other adults for their ability to increase the amount and quality of what children read. (SRT)

Intended for parents who want to help in the development of their child's reading skills, this pamphlet contains a number of suggestions. The first section, on helping the preschool child, includes a list of important reading skills and tells what a parent can do to help the child. The second section deals with ways to build on what the child…

The Bradford Book Flood--an experiment in which large numbers of additional books were made available to middle school children in England to see whether easy access to books improved reading skills and developed a taste for reading--is detailed in this book. The first chapter discusses the purpose and methodology of the experiment, while the…

A longitudinal study examined the classroom environments in which 30 children learned to read. Over the first four years of the study, data were collected on how the children's third, fourth, fifth, and sixth grade teachers taught reading and other subjects, the kinds and numbers of books that the children had available to read, the functions of…