Research has shown fluency plays a vital role in learning. Precision Teaching, a method for measuring behavior and facilitating decision-making, has demonstrated it can benefit teachers interested in fostering fluency. Through the use of a systematic practice routine derived from Precision Training, teachers can apply a method that efficiently…

This article provides a case study perspective of one child's literacy learning over the first semester of first grade. This young learner moves from creating stories for picture books to reading, and from stringing letters to using letter names and spelling sight words. Drawing from this data, a cross-analysis of "what was going on at the same…

This article describes six instructional techniques that support emerging or struggling writers. The techniques are first modeled in a vignette of a kindergarten writing conference and then explicitly defined. A writing scale is presented for tracking the development of emerging writers with suggestions for the type and timing of instruction…

This article describes a second-grade teacher's attempt to differentiate spelling instruction according to student achievement levels. The article begins by reviewing developmental spelling theory, particularly the stages that relate to first- and second-grade reader/writers. Following is a detailed description of the classroom spelling program,…

This study examined the effects of Making and Writing Words (MWW), a variation of the Making Words word study activity by Cunningham and Cunningham (1992), on second-grade students word learning. MWW was implemented daily with a group of second-grade students' over a five-month period. Results indicated that students who received the MWW treatment…

In this article, we review the findings of Rona Flippo's (1998) "Expert Study" within the comparative context of recently published reading research reports such as the National Reading Panel report (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, 2000) and Preventing Reading Difficulties in Young Children (Snow, Burns, & Griffin, 1998).…

This article reports on a study using Piagetian clinical methodology to examine the early writing development of 56, urban, Spanish-speaking preschoolers in a metropolitan area of the United States. In addition, the article draws upon findings by the Expert Study (Flippo, 1998) to underscore the types of instructional environments that have proven…

Literacy scholars appear to have reached consensus that a balanced approach to reading instruction holds the greatest promise for improving reading achievement among students. Following the lead of the National Reading Panel (2000), curricular manifestations of a balanced reading program include instructional components in phonics or word…

This is an on-going, annual study chronicling which topics in literacy education are "hot" (receiving current and positive attention) and which are "not hot" (receiving less or negative attention), according to a survey of literacy leaders. Details about how the survey was constructed and administered are included, as well as some information…

This study examined the practices of effective kindergarten programs with respect to literacy instruction so as to provide models for schools working to educate large populations of at-risk students. Three kindergarten programs participated. Research methods included observations of reading instruction and intervention programs and survey and…

This case study of one elementary school describes an ongoing effort to close the gaps between literacy research and practice in order to promote the successful literacy transitions of all students. Jefferson Elementary School's reading program is a research-driven, school-wide program emphasizing prevention-based instruction, early…

Few models appropriately or adequately describe the literacy development experiences of children with atypical communication development, such as those with language impairment or severe disabilities. In this paper, the Interactive-to-Independent Model of literacy development is presented, influenced primarily by Vygotsky's seminal theories of…

With the current legal reauthorization of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) well under way, advocates for students with reading and literacy difficulties impacted by disorders, including dyslexia and attention deficit disorders (ADD/ADHD), are encouraging Congress to recognize these disabilities under the IDEA. Despite…

Every day, a wide range of children come together in classrooms across the nation. These children come from homes that are culturally, linguistically, racially and ethnically diverse, and many are economically disadvantaged. Some children have learning disabilities or special needs. Teachers are challenged to provide reading material for each…

In this article, we review the findings of Rona Flippo's (1998) "Expert Study" within the comparative context of recently published reading research reports such as the National Reading Panel report (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, 2000) and Preventing Reading Difficulties in Young Children (Snow, Burns, & Griffin, 1998).…