A research project investigated the effectiveness of the use of a tape recorder and taped lessons with accompanying worksheets for independent work activities in the 1st grade. An experimental group heard lessons on reading readiness, auditory perception, phonics, and reading skills, in addition to having regular instruction from the teacher. The control group received only regular instruction. It was hypothesized that the former would demonstrate greater gains in knowledge of rhyming words and initial sounds, would have greater word knowledge and word discrimination skills, and would show greater composite reading skills. Post-test data did not support any of the hypotheses. It was possible that the objectives were overly ambitious and that the individual differences between subjects were not accounted for completely by the differences in individual test scores. It appeared that further study should investigate the impact of the individual's cultural background upon his ability to read. The use of audio tapes did, however, improve students' listening skills and help to maintain order in the classroom. (PB)