The causal effects of a voluntary summer reading intervention on children's reading activities and reading achievement were assessed in a randomized experiment involving 331 children in Grades 1-5. Children were pretested in the spring on a standardized test of reading achievement (Stanford Achievement Test, 10th ed.), on the Elementary Reading…

Recent developments in literacy teaching have tended to target the needs of primary, rather than high school pupils and focus on technical, rather than affective aspects of reading. This paper describes a questionnaire-based study undertaken to identify perceptions and views held by Key Stage 3 readers of different ages, genders and abilities.…

This paper presents the seven assessment instruments used by the Student Literacy Corps project at Fitchburg State College, Massachusetts, to document tutee progress and tutor assessment. The paper includes: (1) the Flippo Interest Inventory (for assessing tutee's attitudes toward reading); (2) instructions for the tutor to give to students on how…

Using the pocket classics can be a painless way to introduce the classics to eighth-grade students. Condensed versions of the classics can take the sting out of the reading, stimulate students' interest, and help prepare them for high school. To offer students in one eighth-grade class some control over their own learning, a contract system was…

Children are taught to read in a number of ways, are helped by reading specialists, tutors, parents, and peers, and are provided with a variety of materials designed to meet their needs and interests. Yet many children grow up with not only a dislike for reading, but a fear of it. It is not enough for teachers to develop reading skills in their…

The study examined the reading interests, attitudes, and habits of fourth, fifth, and sixth grade gifted students. The data were gathered from the 69 state assisted gifted programs in Missouri by means of a survey developed by the investigator. The Ss were limited to the fourth, fifth, and sixth grade gifted children whose program coordinators…

Argues that second-language reading comprehension and its assessment can be usefully divided into two aspects: (1) comprehensions (different levels of comprehension the reader adopts to suit different purposes of reading); and (2) interpretations (different readings of the same text resulting from different background knowledge or preoccupations…

Administered the Survey of Reading Attitudes to 167 intermediate and high school students in three private schools for Learning Disabled children. Statistical analysis viewed in conjunction with the results of the three previous normative studies seemed to support the psychometric soundness of The Survey of Reading Attitudes. (JAC)

Reports on a study that reveals that reading may not play as important a role in content area teaching as many believe. (AEA)

Provides an analysis of what adolescents like to read and how teachers can motivate them to read. Presents a list of recommended books for young adults. (RL)

Discusses the methodology and results of a study in which elementary school children were questioned before and after a series of tutoring sessions about how they would teach their children to read. After tutoring, the students showed increased recognition of the importance of reading aloud and using interesting materials. (HTH)

Reports the findings of an investigation into the relationships among college readers' reading achievement, vividness of visual imagery, and reading attitudes. Concludes that a small but significant negative correlation exists between the achievement and imagery variables and that a moderate partial correlation exists between imagery and attitude…

Investigates children's responses to independent reading and their perceptions of the literary quality of series books and recommended literature. Concludes that students like both kinds of books, and that reading series books does not interfere with their appreciation for literature of higher quality. Recommends assisting children to find quality…

Investigates the effects of early environments on children's reading attitudes and abilities. Provides insight to assist teachers to develop more favorable classroom settings and to foster stronger student literacy. Presents reviews of related literature, draws conclusions, and considers implications of research. (SG)

Presents an annotated bibliography of nine books that kids think are great. Recommends the books on the basis of pure enjoyment. (SG)