Argues that Christopher Paul Curtis' 1996 book, "The Watsons Go to Birmingham, 1963," lends itself to a variety of instructional strategies and classroom uses for grades 5-8. Offers a brief synopsis of the book; notes positive teacher and student reactions; offers ideas for incorporating the book into content areas; discusses assessment; and…

Argues that young adult literature can play a significant role in the emotional and mental health of an adolescent as well as help young males become more literate. Offers a 19-item annotated list of young adult novels with male protagonists, sorted by themes: nature and adventure stories, sports stories, genre stories, historical stories, and…

Investigates reading preferences of an ethnically and economically diverse group of sixth-grade students from three middle schools. Shows that light materials (scary series books, comics, and magazines) top the list for every sub-group of students. Finds very limited availability of preferred materials in school; and shows that most students…

Explores the considerable benefits of reading poetry, why poetry is often neglected, and some of the ways the author brings poetry and children together, making poetry an integral part of the curriculum. Offers a list of recommended poetry volumes, as well as a list of recommended professional reading/supporting poetry-instruction in the…

Reports the results of a survey of the attitudes and beliefs of elementary school students and their parents in Iowa. Finds that attitudinal differences toward physical science begin to develop by the earliest elementary school years. Contains 67 references. (Author/WRM)

Describes 31 children's books that connect with children and illustrate the significance that books that amplify life can hold for young and old alike. Discusses books with language and illustrations that are compelling, and how stories and images work together. Describes how teachers and college students chose books and artwork to help themselves…

Argues that teachers, librarians, and writers for the young are part of a proud tradition when they invite young people to come of age with books in their hands, books that offer community, friends, elders, honest aid and comfort, questions to ponder, mirrors that reflect the reader's face, and doorways that open to a wider place. (SR)

Discusses goals that will best support middle school students' development in reading and learning from text, including actively constructing meaning, learning about themselves and others, reading strategically, and enjoying reading. (SR)

Describes how sports literature provides an effective means for combating negative attitudes toward reading. Discusses the use of current sports news, relevant stories, poetry, and videotaped programs as texts. Notes that sports writing and fiction provide excellent opportunities for bibliotherapy, as students reevaluate their attitudes and…

Argues for the fundamental importance of fostering a lifetime reading habit in middle school students. Discusses various ways to provide opportunities to read in middle school; describes teacher demonstrations of effective reading/thinking behaviors; discusses reading aloud; and notes the importance of literacy educators advocating this kind of…

Students in the United States do not read well enough (Showers, Joyce, Scanlon, & Schnaubelt, 1998). While the National Assessment of Educational Progress (2003) reports an encouraging upswing in 8th-grade students' reading performance from 1992 to 2003, this fact does not stem the tide of practical concerns voiced by teachers and community…

Vocabulary acquisition traditionally has been a struggle for students with special learning needs. This study involved an eleven year old fifth grade student with learning disabilities in reading and writing and limited English proficiency. Assistive technology assistance was provided from the Franklin Language Master 6000b and Microsoft's Power…

New learning and communications paradigms of today's learners are extending the definition of literacy and directly affecting how reading and writing skills are acquired (Leu, 2000). Mirroring an ever-expanding definition of literacy, new college and K-12 curricular programs that redefine digital media are popping up all over the country. Story is…

A study examined gender attitudes toward reading in students enrolled in the six sections of the Developmental Reading program at Kean College of New Jersey in the spring of 1996. The Mazurkiewicz Masculine-Feminine Attitude Survey (1960) was used with a forced choice of "mostly masculine" or "mostly feminine." Surveys of 26…

A practicum was designed to increase the amount of recreational reading by secondary school students, and to improve students' attitude toward reading, thus decreasing disruptive behaviors in the classroom. A whole language workshop approach was implemented over an 8-month period in two high school English classes, grades 10 and 11, college…