This article reports on the relationships between ecocultural features of 18 Latina/o families and their children's motivation to read. Five ecocultural features emerged as salient in families' daily living: immigration; culture and language; nurturance; instrumental; and workload. Ecocultural features were examined in relation to children's…

This two-part video program, completely in Spanish, shows parents the importance of their involvement with the school and with the development of their children's skills and attitudes. In Part I (20 minutes), parents learn that they are their children's first and most influential teachers. Specific strategies are offered for creating an…

Book Club started over 12 years ago with the goal of creating an alternative context for reading instruction--one that would get students excited about reading and discussing books. Since then, Book Club's combination of excellent literature, relevant writing activities, and student-led discussion groups has proven effective in classrooms. This…

Presents an interview with Charlotte Huck. Includes such topics as what motivated her to set about helping to create the field of children's literature; her views on children's books and some of her favorites; and how her love of children's literature compelled her to become an author of children's books. (SR)

Describes using read-alouds to entice reluctant high school readers. Discusses beginning read-aloud guidelines, titles that work (both listing and discussing numerous titles), adjustive guidelines, and effects on students. (SR)

Discusses "Earning by Learning," a program designed to increase reading attitudes of academically at-risk children by combining two strong motivational factors: cash rewards and adult attention/approval. Tests the program's success with second and third graders at a site in Georgia. Finds overall success in frequent book reading,…

Discusses adult students of English as a Second Language who are dedicated readers in their primary language, yet have not considered reading as a means of developing their second language ability. Concludes that the case for free reading is strong and that teachers can encourage their students to engage in second language reading activities. (10…

Reveals that the reading performance and dispositions towards reading of three adolescent readers (a successful, a moderately successful, and a struggling reader) observed in day-to-day classroom reading over five months varied according to the context of their reading, the materials they read, and their reading purpose. None, however, could be…

A first-grade teacher and high school English teacher planned and implemented a reading buddy initiative between elementary and high school students in which students read children's literature together. The teacher documented evidence of how the initiative affected the students. The paper describes the collaboration's planning, implementation,…

Explores student motivations for reading and how school library media specialists can facilitate long-term reading motivation. Discusses extrinsic and intrinsic motivations; media center-sponsored book celebrations; library instruction; curricular integration; and self-expression. A sidebar relates the experiences of an elementary school…

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)

Offers numerous suggestions for dealing with and meeting needs of reluctant readers. Discusses the issue of parental concern over children reading a wide selection of books for young adults. Includes a letter to parents both informing them of the wide reading expected of their children and requesting their permission to sign out books from the…

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…

Describes a unit plan for teaching "Lord of the Flies" that allows students to respond freely to the reading and to "get out of their seats" and experience the first chapter of the book. Includes guidelines for the response-based approach, for discussion groups, and for character portfolios. (NH)

Building partnerships to improve students' performance (Fitzgibbons 2004, Small 2002) is not a new concept to the education profession. Borrowing tenets from the business world and universities, schools have come to realize that interdisciplinary collaborations enhance the cohesiveness and achievement of the particular school and district as a…