The responses of first-grade students to seatwork assignments were studied through detailed narrative records, copies of seatwork performance, and informal conversations with the students about their work. Two distinct groups of students were identified for comparisons: those whose responses to seatwork were frequently poor (low attention and low…

Designed to offer teachers suggestions to make independent reading an integral part of the school day, this pamphlet discusses the following topics: the importance of independent reading; motivating students to read; arranging time for independent reading; setting up the classroom library; and establishing schoolwide reading programs. Lists of…

A study was conducted to determine how often newspaper comic strips deal with the topic of reading and how often a positive attitude is revealed toward the act of reading. From January 1984 through December 1984, daily and Sunday comic strips from the "Newark Star Ledger" were reviewed. Counted or recorded were the number of times reading was the…

A study compared the amount of time spent in reading at different grade levels between 1961 and 1985, specifically examining the differences in time allocation practices for formal reading and for other reading, and the ways in which these practices compare in different geographic regions during these years. The 1961 study obtained data from 1,224…

A total of 162 elementary school children who were underachieving in reading were selected to participate in a supplementary program that used paperback books to improve reading competency. Exit scores were predicted for each student. The program focused on the following components: encouraging students to read from a wide selection of readily…

AS PART OF THE "ROOMS OF 20" PROJECT IN THE ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, PUBLIC SCHOOLS, A BOOK-OWNERSHIP PROGRAM HAS BEEN DEVELOPED TO MOTIVATE DISADVANTAGED PUPILS TO READ AND LEARN. CHILDREN IN THIS PROGRAM ARE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO "EARN" BOOKS BY SHOWING THE TEACHER THAT THEY OWN A PUBLIC LIBRARY CARD OR BY HAVING READ TWO…

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between televiewing and the reading interests of seventh grade pupils using 300 television (TV) tie-ins comprised of 18 different titles. The subjects were 253 pupils representing four seventh grade classes from low, middle, and high socioeconomic backgrounds in a suburban setting. The…

Data taken from library circulation records and from personal interviews with 374 second grade boys and 371 second grade girls were analyzed regarding: (1) Which titles were most frequently selected? (2) Which subjects were most frequently selected? (3) What was the quality of the books selected? (4) How many of the books selected were completely…

The effects of modeling procedures on the reading selections of gifted and nongifted students were examined in a group of ten gifted sixth graders, eight gifted fifth graders, and eight nongifted fifth graders. Both adult and combined peer/adult modeling procedures were investigated. Data on selections from the 150 books available in the classroom…

A student of Russian and German describes his method for improving reading skills in those languages, with emphasis on a field of specialization. (AM)

Lists 115 children's books for (1) all ages, (2) beginning independent reading, (3) younger readers, (4) middle grades, and (5) older readers. Titles were selected from a choice of 4,000 and voted on by children in five test areas. (JC)

Shares the experiences of a class of eleventh grade readers involved in a classroom research project and their understanding of the act of reading. Discusses reading as both a solitary and a group activity. (MS)

Schoolwide independent reading can have a positive effect on students' reading habits, and principals can be major supporters of successful reading programs. Principals can: (1) provide worthwhile staff development; (2) suggest using independent reading to promote creative reading; (3) be ambitious about promoting independent reading; yet (4) be…

This study collected data via a three-page questionnaire administered to active readers 8 to 12 years old and half-hour taped interviews. Questionnaire findings (general information, interests, recent reading, information network), interview findings (book experience, reading taste, libraries, help in reading material selection, lists, reviews,…

In this study it was hypothesized that if a young reader repeatedly chooses a serial book for pleasure reading, then appreciation and ability to choose and recognize quality works will diminish. Four sixth-grade English classes recorded their independent reading choices for five months. Those who habitually read series books were chosen for the…