Using symbolic algebra to represent and solve linear equations is one of the expectations within the "Algebra" content standard for the 6-8-grade band in the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) "Principles and Standards for School Mathematics" (2000). Students' understanding of these concepts, even before a formal algebra course,…

This tutoring guide contains eight short sections of instruction for tutors working with adult basic education students in Alberta, Canada. Each section, introduced by a question, contains tips for beginning tutoring and working with adult students in literacy education classes. The sections cover the following topics: (1) What is the problem?;…

Arguing that most basal reading programs lack appropriate instructional strategies for teaching irregular words, this paper summarizes a teaching strategy for introducing new irregular words to children and discusses learning activities to ensure students will have an instant recognition of these words. The paper suggests presenting three to six…

Vocabulary development, operationally defined as the isomorphism between an individual's store of concepts and the labels society uses to represent those concepts, is akin to concept development. Therefore, vocabulary development can be facilitated if presented in clusters of related concepts. One approach used to reinforce such basic concept…

A small set of vocabulary development exercises was tried out in four classes in each of grades four, six, and eight. The instruction was derived from three general content areas: subject-area vocabulary, alternative language, and vocabulary from context. The tryout consisted of extensive pretesting, instruction, and posttesting. It was generally…

Because of the positive correlation between vocabulary size and reading fluency in a second language, every effort should be made to increase students' recognition vocabulary. Vocabulary-building techniques include: (1) phonic and morphological analysis of words, (2) cognate recognition, (3) contextual analysis, (4) matching sentence halves and…

Following a review of studies that propose ways of dealing with the problems that students have in reading mathematics, this paper suggests that the problems need to be approached in basically nontraditional ways. It proposes that in addition to useful, generalized approaches such as readability studies, vocabulary learning, and recognition of…

Content area teachers should be aware of the five levels of vocabulary with which their students must cope. The five levels include standard words at the least complex level, transitional terms that have different meanings in the content area than in standard usage, technical terms specific to the subject area, changeable terms (similar to…

Recent studies conducted by the National Assessment of Educational Progress indicate a deficiency in youngsters' abilities to express themselves in written form. Described in this paper are techniques for helping elementary school children build writing skills by using literature selections as models for expression. Through imitation, pupils can…

A technique is described for eliciting true communication in the elementary German classroom which is also applicable to more advanced study. Students define simple words in German and are encouraged to help one another build a cumulative definition. The instructor reinforces the concept of language as a social activity. (SW)

Outlines a taxonomy of reading comprehension skills that teachers can use to develop questioning techniques that are flexible enough to reflect the nature of the reading materials. (RL)

Introduces a technique for the presentation of new vocabulary in a situation which incorporates communicative use of language. (Author/DB)

Noting the use of mental pictures to aid students' learning--the keyword method--is effective for both good and poor readers, describes specific methods, provides research to support their use, and presents classroom applications that lead from teacher instruction to students' independent learning. (NH)

Describes semantic mapping, an effective strategy for vocabulary instruction that involves the categorical structuring of information in graphic form and requires students to relate new words to their own experience and prior knowledge. (HOD)

The effects of competitive treatments on performance, interest, and retention were examined with the use of a ten-day vocabulary task administered in sixty-six fifth grade classrooms. Neither performance nor retention was increased under the competitive treatments. (CK)