In this article, the researchers share results from a study on teachers' responses to professional learning experiences with a focus on balanced literacy methods to best meet the literacy needs of their d/Deaf students. The authors use theories of communities of practice, connected learning, and collective hope. Findings indicate that for…

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive case study was to explore the teacher/student reading conferences in two first grade teachers' classrooms in one primary school. Sixteen one-to-one reading conferences were recorded and transcribed over a two-month period and coded for content as related to the CAFÉ (Boushey & Moser, 2009) model of…

While the advantages of reading workshops are well known (Atwell, 1998), there is currently a debate among scholars, practitioners, and politicians about the use of instructional/independent level texts in light of the Common Core Standards' end-of-year requirement for students to be reading at grade level (National Governors Association Center…

This case study explored professional development centered on explicit teaching strategies with in-service first-grade teachers as they engaged beginning readers to consider stronger self-awareness of their thinking processes as they read. In this paper, we report on how teacher beliefs shifted regarding the impact of explicit versus implicit…

The consequences of lack of reading and poor reading skills are problematic for all students, regardless of background; however, for middle grade striving readers with academic difficulties these problems can lead to lower self-efficacy and motivation to engage in literacy tasks. Using the perspectives of urban, middle grade special education…

This article describes results of a reading comprehension intervention for students with adequate decoding but poor comprehension skills. Five teachers and 25 students in grades 3-5 from two rural public schools participated in this naturalistic experimental research study. Teachers met with identified students in a small group setting for 30…

Research continues to suggest that adolescents struggle with reading, indicating that much work remains to ensure that all students read at levels consistent with the skills required for academic achievement (Biancarosa & Snow, 2006). This article investigates whole class choral reading (WCCR) within the context of a sixth-grade language arts…

Discusses in detail a three-step lesson for a remedial reading group of nine-year-old students. (JM)

Suggests using drama as a technique for improving reading comprehension, reading skills, and language abilities. (RB)

Defines the flexible reader, suggests methods of assessing reading flexibility, and presents a strategy for teaching reading flexibility in secondary level content area classrooms. (FL)

Discusses the problem many high school students have in concentrating on reading materials and suggests several ideas to solve the problem. (RB)

Describes a technique for improving reading and communication skills through word games. (RB)

Suggests color highlighting as an effective method of improving word recognition visual discrimination skills. (RB)

Describes several instructional strategies that were used in an earlier research study for moving children into successful fingerpoint-reading and beyond within the setting of a Shared Book Experience. Reports some additional data supporting the use of these strategies. (RS)