Critiques current understandings of children's motivation for literacy learning, and argues for a reconceptualization of motivation that centers on the learner as agent in the social construction of meaning. Uses vignettes and examples from studies conducted in whole-language classrooms to investigate children's perspectives of their own literacy…

Studies and practices in which parents help children with oral reading are reviewed. The paper argues against techniques which focus on only the mechanical aspects of reading. The paper describes a program for training parents as tutors which uses transcripts of parent/child interactions during the reading process to show reading development.…

Reading books aloud to students can motivate them to read themselves, but teachers and librarians need to learn new skills to read aloud effectively. Selecting an appropriate book, reading with expression, creating an atmosphere, and using the right questioning techniques to start a discussion all have an impact on successful reading aloud. (LAE)

Includes 12 articles that suggest activities to involve junior and senior high school students with their school libraries. Suggestions include a program to promote the reading of quality books; the use of questionnaires to improve individualized service; a checklist for book fairs; library clubs; student book reviewers; booktalks; research…

Gives an example of a seventh-grade reluctant reader whose special reading class was assigned to read to kindergartners. Notes that students want interesting books that they are able to read, and want help when they're struggling. Presents a list of 18 books that students in grades six through eight rated as the best, along with statements…

Describes the authors' experiences as two middle school teachers (one in a small rural county, one in a large metropolitan school). Finds that using many young adult novels in the classroom unlocks the door of resistance to reading education and resistance to learning. Shares their experiences and strategies, describing classroom activities,…

Discusses six books (published in 1997 or 1998) for educators that deal with teaching young adolescents and teaching with literature. (SR)

Outlines instructional principles upon which classroom practices in a fourth grade and in a kindergarten class are based that contribute to students' success, love of literacy, and emerging biliteracy. Discusses creating a socioculturally supportive learning environment that (1) affirms the cultural and linguistic resources of all students; (2)…

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)

Examines what happened when college students enrolled in an adolescent literature class met young readers encountering young adult literature in a Book Club setting. Describes this inquiry-based partnership between a university classroom and junior high and elementary classrooms, and the accompanying challenges and benefits for preservice…

A study investigated the effectiveness of a program for the development of literacy skills among low-achieving kindergarten students. The targeted population consisted of those identified as most at risk in the kindergarten classes at Willard Elementary School located in South Elgin, a village south of Elgin in northern Illinois. The problem of…

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…

This study investigated the influence of a community-based heritage culture program on Chicano students in a southwestern suburban middle school. Subjects were 61 seventh- and eighth-grade students, all Chicanos, with little or no previous instruction in indigenous Mexican culture. The pre- and post-survey, administerd a week piro to and 3 weeks…

Suggesting that portfolios can be used much more effectively if teachers have firsthand experience documenting themselves as readers and writers, this book describes the process of keeping a portfolio, discusses how to get started and what artifacts to include, and offers examples as departure points for teachers to begin making sense of their own…

A study in two South African schools investigated the impact of encouraging free, voluntary reading on the English language skills of English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) learners. Subjects were 139 fourth- through seventh-grade students in an experimental group and 105 students in a control group. Pretests of reading comprehension were administered…