This research report examines the effect of sexual orientation in reading material upon reading test scores of boys and girls. (MK)

This student guide for a program concerned with what young children need to know about death and how parents can help them deal with it is designed around a magazine format to allow maximum flexibility to different groups using the materials. The guide is divided into seven sections: (1) an overview of the theme and contents; (2) a summary of the…

Most criticisms directed at basal reader stories concern the unreal characters which tend to depict only middle-class families and use unreal language patterns. However, such criticisms do not get to the core of the problem. A comparison of stories from basal readers with some famous folk tales illustrates how the here-and-now stories from basal…

The purpose of this study was to determine the scores of children's ideas for creative writing when given freedom of choice of topic, and to determine if those children who expressed ideas reportedly original to them were more or less creative than the others. The subjects, selected from grades 2, 4, and 6, were a stratified random sample…

The new realism in literature, revealing virtual extinction of literary taboos, is probably a positive development in offering to middle and high school students some topics and attitudes which more accurately reflect the realities they face. However, the younger reader should be protected more, especially from the violence illustrated in some…

This study was prompted by the lack of consistency in defining the interests, both general and in the area of reading, of children in the primary grades. Analysis of more than 15 introductory texts used to teach reading indicated that interest measurement is based on certain unquestioned theoretical assumptions. Students in 27 first- through…

Uses a literary analysis of "The Golden Bird," a Grimm Brothers fairy tale, to show how an investigation of the literary qualities of fairy tales can reveal what the artistry of such tales consists of. (GT)

Surveys what was being read by children in Britain from 1910 to 1950 and what the experts advised teachers, librarians, and children to read. (GT)

Discusses ways to deal with children's desires for consumer goods advertised on television and pushed by peer groups. Considers needs, wants, and wishes of children, and how each can influence purchase decisions. (SB)

Suggests that the most beneficial early reading experiences are those that are informally presented and on topics of personal interest to children. Presents a sequence of activities using children's names that may be used to teach early reading and writing. (ARH)

Examines discourse patterns in playmaking to see if they differ from those found in more traditional settings. Indicates that playmaking can foster students' empathy, utilize their logic and creativity, and provide them with the experience of working in a group to a common end. (JD)

Notes shortcomings in research efforts intended to discover children's picture book preferences. Describes a research approach adapted from the field of anthropology, in which the researcher conducted observations and interviews as children respond to picture books in natural classroom settings. (EL)

Describes an innovative library which uses puppets, a pretend computer, stuffed animals, and science displays to appeal to children's interests and to create positive attitudes. (DST)

Interests of preschool children were naturalistically identified through patterns of attention in the classroom and were related to assessing (1) direction of attentional shift, (2) level of recognition, and (3) likelihood of recall. Findings are interpreted in terms of cognitive/affective conceptualization of interest as central figure of…

Many theories have been developed to try to explain humor, among them, the social theory; psychoanalytic theories based on Freud; cognitive theories which identify stages corresponding to those of Piaget; and eclectic theories which combine elements of all the theories. The developmental stages of humor parallel the intellectual and emotional…