This report describes a program encouraging students to choose reading as a recreational activity. The targeted population consisted of first, second, third, and fourth grade students in a growing middle class community, near a large Midwestern city. The problem of students choosing recreational activities other than reading was documented through…

Distinguishes between interest in reading and attitude toward reading. Discusses the development of reading interests and attitudes. Notes problems with teacher perception of students' attitudes and interests. Discusses the influence of teacher attitude toward reading and teachers' reactions to students. Presents suggestions for assessing student…

Uses response journals to explore the ways fourth-grade students respond to literature. Finds factors necessary to mesh text and a reader's personal experiences: a classroom atmosphere that encourages risk-taking; daily opportunities to read and respond; a wide variety of choices in reading materials; modeling of good reading strategies; and…

Describes the use of Accelerated Reader, a computer program that instantly provides scored tests on a variety of books read by high school ESL (English as a Second Language) students as free voluntary reading. Topics include reading improvement programs, including writing assignments; and changes in students' reading habits. (LRW)

Discusses the use of libraries by teenagers and considers implications from the research for practice. Topics include why teens use libraries; the librarian's role in reaching out to teens; teen reading; skills needed for information literacy; effects on student research, including attitudes and achievement levels; and use of technology,…

A sample of 583 education students (217 males and 366 females) from 10 Canadian universities responded to a questionnaire on their backgrounds, habits, and outlooks. This study investigates variability associated with socioeconomic status, gender, parental background, rationale for entering education, and reading and mass media use habits. (TJH)

Examines the effects of bookstores on public libraries. Topics discussed include the role of libraries as organizers of information; bookstores as competition; reading trends; library collections; libraries' emphasis on user services, including interlibrary loans; partnership programs; marketing strategies; user needs; hours of operation; and…

Discussion of the use of comic books and graphic novels in school and public libraries highlights the role of school library media programs; how to use comics and graphic novels in teaching; the Japanese use of comic books; their use in literacy education; and the influence of comics on reading habits. (LRW)

The author of a new guide to selecting books boys (preschool through junior high) will enjoy discusses the social view of reading as feminine, the limited cultural vision of masculinity, and the ability of books to offset these one-dimensional images. (Author/AEF)

Used a questionnaire to examine the home reading experiences of 249 second graders enrolled in a Title I rural K-2 elementary school. Found that second graders read aloud to caregivers more than the caregivers read aloud to the children. Reading interactions occurred at home. The majority of homes had children's books and other reading materials…

Data regarding a subsample of 815 families surveyed in the 1991 National Household Education Survey were analyzed to identify factors related to parent participation in adult education (AE) and completion of AE courses and to determine the impact of participation in AE on selected indicators of home support for children's learning. The data were…

A study assessed the role of various mass media in the day-to-day lives of school-aged children. Research questions dealt with the nature of children's media experiences at home, how use of media impacts school activities, the social context of media use, interior responses to different media, and whether gender or socioeconomic differences among…

This report describes a program for increasing intrinsic reading motivation. The targeted population consisted of lower primary students in a growing middle class community, located in northern Illinois. The problems of aliterate students were documented through teacher observations and student surveys. Analysis of probable cause data revealed…

Noting that the 1992 National Assessment of Educational Progress used a variety of innovative assessment approaches, this executive summary discusses a number of issues related to the new reading assessment framework. An introductory section of the executive summary discusses the new framework for reading assessment, the transition in reporting…

Representing current thinking about a wide range of issues related to reading motivation, this book offers a look at how to create classroom cultures that foster in students the love of reading. The book is about teachers and the critical role they play in helping children develop into motivated, active, engaged readers who read both for pleasure…