This issue of "Biography Today" looks at scientists and inventors and is created to appeal to young readers in a format they can and enjoy and easily understand. Each entry provides at least one picture of the individual profiled, and bold-faced rubrics lead the reader to information on birth, youth, early memories, education, first jobs, marriage…

An action research project described a program for improving elementary children's recreational reading habits through a combination of modeling by the teacher plus incentives to enhance students' intrinsic motivation to read for enjoyment. The targeted population consisted of three suburban public schools, grades 2 and 4. Analysis of probable…

Intended to help young readers of high school age find the kinds of current books that make them want to read more, this book describes nearly 800 quality fiction and nonfiction titles published between 1988 and 1991 for young adults. The book's annotations are grouped by subject matter in 32 sections keyed to senior high students' interests and…

A study examined the ways in which Head Start preschool children's vocabulary developed when they and their mothers engaged in joint reading. Subjects, 19 dyads, were observed as they interacted around expository texts presented in both familiar (newspaper toy advertisements) and traditional (trade books) formats. Subjects were observed in their…

This booklet presents descriptions of 19 reading programs that encourage Indiana middle-grade students to read. The programs described in the booklet were part of the Middle Grades Reading Network and were funded with competitive $5000 "minigrants." Essays (descriptions of the reading programs) in the booklet are: "Building a…

Noting that it is important for parents and children to have fun as a family, this booklet offers parents ideas in how to make reading with their children easy and fun. The booklet discusses several topics concerning reading aloud to children, including helping children learn by reading aloud; having a special family reading time; finding books to…

Statistics on the reading habits of adult Americans are grim. Surveys of teachers reveal inadequate and unimpressive figures in recreational and professional reading and awareness of children's literature. Studies show that, as a whole, teachers are not avid readers. Furthermore, older teachers tend to be more prolific readers of both recreational…

A practicum was developed to increase the frequency of recreational reading and improve students' attitudes towards reading. Subjects were 22 third grade students. Literacy activities incorporated included: daily recreational reading periods either with a buddy or alone, reading to children daily, incorporating children's books into content area…

Originally developed for the Department of Defense Schools (DoDDS) system, this learning package on television viewing and reading is designed for teachers who wish to upgrade or expand their teaching skills on their own. The package includes a comprehensive search of the ERIC database; a lecture giving an overview on the topic; the full text of…

A list of almost 300 titles of Spanish language reading materials represents the recommendations of the California Media and Library Educators Association for use with Spanish-speaking, limited-English-proficient students in kindergarten through eighth grade. It is intended as a guide for teachers of Spanish and teachers of English language arts…

To determine the characteristics of, problems with, and teachers' attitudes toward the elementary language arts curriculum, a survey was distributed to 160 elementary teachers (101 teachers responded; 86 females and 15 males--a 63% rate of return). Results showed that teachers perceived no difficulties communicating either with other teachers…

Developed for the Texas Reading Club, a program sponsored cooperatively by local libraries and the Texas State Library and designed to encourage children and their parents to read and use the library, this planning handbook is intended to help librarians and volunteers organize and manage a local reading club. The Texas Reading Club program is…

A study investigated how pre-college students enrolled in a summer remedial reading program felt about reading. Subjects, 170 students recently accepted for admission to a large urban university system, were asked their views on (1) reading, (2) school and education, (3) reading instruction, (4) difficulty and enjoyment of reading, and (5) reading…

A study determined whether students with an average interest in reading would become more interested in reading if they used interactive fiction computer games involving a quest or solving a problem in conjunction with required reading. Eight students in grades five through eight participated in a workshop that met 3 hours a day, 4 days a week,…

Intended for individuals involved in teaching children to read--parents, teachers, librarians, and reading specialists--this handbook provides activities and resources to supplement programs designed to encourage children's enjoyment of books. The reading activities presented in this handbook have been developed around a sports theme. The…