Describes a multidisciplinary reading-science health unit on substance abuse designed for seventh graders. Finds a high level of interest and involvement as students become more informed about substance abuse and better prepared to make critical decisions. (NH)

Discusses the effects of a sustained silent reading (SSR) program on school administrators, teachers, librarians, and the students. Offers suggestions on setting up an SSR program. (SRT)

Describes ways in which story telling and reading programs can be used to develop positive attitudes toward reading in young children. (CLB)

Using current technology and learning theory, computer-controlled literature programs have been and will be developed that allow children to interact with literature. This technique will help students' reading concepts fall into place more rapidly and gain the interest of those who do not respond well to traditional print media. (SRT)

A study of third- and fifth-grade students found that monolingual students use different reading strategies than do bilingual students reading in their second language. (FL)

Concludes that students involved in a peer-interaction model and an individual teacher-student conference model of recreational reading instruction obtained higher scores on a reading attitude measure than students in a sustained silent reading and a control model. Students involved in the peer-interaction model received significantly higher…

Notes that research supports the idea that children are confused about concepts related to beginning reading instruction. Reports on assessment instruments that are commercially available or can be devised by teachers. (FL)

A study focused on 41 eighth-grade students from a south Texas middle school who read self-selected books for 30-minute periods 5 times weekly from October 1996 to May 1997 to determine if increased reading time and book self-selection would improve their reading achievement. The study also sought to determine the students' attitudes towards…

This paper provides an overview of the Carbo Reading Styles Program (RSP), a comprehensive reading program that applies learning styles concepts to reading. The program uses themes, activities, and literature to help improve student performance across all subject areas. Main components of RSP include: a variety of instructional strategies to…

This report describes the design, implementation, and impact of a book loan program in an inner-city preschool where books were freely and easily available to low-income primarily Spanish-speaking families, most of whom are recent immigrants. Data collected included check-out frequency, book titles, student participation, and field notes of the…

A program was designed and implemented to improve vocabulary knowledge and attitudes toward reading by focusing on direct vocabulary instruction. The targeted population consisted of 23 fourth grade students in a middle-class suburb north of Chicago. The community is very multicultural, so many of the students speak English as a second language.…

This report, based on a recent survey of over 8,000 primary and secondary pupils in England, explores why some pupils choose to read and others do not. The research literature shows that reading for pleasure benefits children in numerous ways. Yet, research also shows that young people's reading enjoyment may be declining. Given current political…

Continues the chronicle of the development of a young reader. Details his growth in reading and interests in his third year. (FL)

Describes the Reading Recovery program, an early intervention program for first graders with reading difficulties. Describes the program's teaching procedures and research base. Outlines important understandings gained, and takes a look at the program through the eyes of one of the teachers. (MG)

Stresses the importance of reading aloud to children. Notes several keys to the success of reading aloud. Shares success stories from several reading aloud programs. Answers potential objections, from skeptical parents, to reading aloud. (MG)