The commonly-used instructional sequence in which children read material silently and then read it orally is simply not effective. The arguments presented by E.A. Betts in 1957 for silent before oral reading can be countered point by point. Studies that have compared various reading conditions have had serious limitations and have failed to show…

Twenty-eight fourth graders, categorized as having high or low conceptual awareness, were used in this study to examine the effect of conceptual background on overt reading behavior; to compare overt reading behavior to post-reading performance; to analyze the relationship between overt reading behavior and cloze test behavior and performance; to…

To determine the effect on simultaneous aural-visual training on the silent reading ability of 72 educationally disadvantaged black college freshmen, three different means of training were investigated. One experimental group (aural-visual) had a simultaneous reading-listening type of training via individual listening headsets with the visual…

This paper discusses the relationship between cloze demands and reading comprehension and describes a cloze program used in a third-grade classroom. A series of exercises, including word attack, sentence completion, and vocabulary-development tasks, were given regularly by teachers to the students in their third-grade classrooms. Included in the…

Reach for a Book is the theme for Children's Book Week 1986, and book presentations, activities, and exhibits to emphasize the joy of reading are listed. A Book Week Puzzle Packet provides two puzzles designed to reinforce the idea of using the card catalog to find materials on specific subjects. (EM)

Reports on a study that investigated which of four modes of reading (oral reading to an audience, oral reading to oneself, silent reading, silent reading while listening) best facilitates fifth-grade students' comprehension. Concludes that for these students as a whole, comparable comprehension may be expected when they read to themselves or read…

Describes an attempt to introduce SSR in an English language school near Bombay, India. Shows that the fourth grade students involved in the program improved both their attitude and their reading achievement. (FL)

This paper discusses the importance of reading aloud to students. It emphasizes the teacher's need to plan carefully when to read and what books to read. The paper suggests the following ideas should guide a teacher's choice of reading material: whether the story will capture students' attention; whether the story will increase students'…

"Focus on Basics" is the quarterly publication of the National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy. It presents best practices, current research on adult learning and literacy, and how research is used by adult basic education teachers, counselors, program administrators, and policymakers. "Focus on Basics" is dedicated to…

The school library is very important in developing a quality reading program. The library books and other reading materials need to be varied and on various levels of reading complexity so that students can read meaningfully without facing failure in word recognition and comprehension of ideas. This paper discusses school libraries and their…

Discusses the development and accomplishments of a reading program in more than 50 Maryland schools in which all regular activities some to a halt and teachers and students participate in 35 minutes of uninterrupted free reading each school day. (MB)

Five elementary school teachers offer ideas for encouraging skillful reading and appreciation of books in young students. Suggested strategies include: (1) holding book auctions; (2) choosing books geared toward children's interests; (3) individualizing the reading program; and (4) making oversize books for kindergarten. (PP)

Concludes that oral reading should be given additional emphasis in the elementary grades. (FL)