Improvement-oriented feedback has been shown to be more effective at raising writing achievement than simple evaluative feedback. This study investigates whether teachers differ in the feedback they give to weak and strong writers as well as how feedback differs across grades. Interviews were conducted with 15 teachers about the feedback they gave…

In December of 2006 and again in February of 2007, fifty Literacy Professors representing almost every college and university in Michigan met in a collegial forum to discuss and advocate for all students involved in reading instruction/education. This advocacy spans students from prekindergarten through college undergraduates and graduates. The…

This article describes findings from a classroom-based action research project conducted by two in-school teachers, a literacy coach and a 4th grade teacher, implementing a new integrated literacy and social studies curriculum and the changes they made in curricular practices and beliefs over a three-year period of time. A university professor…

The purpose of this article is to describe an action research study on the discourse patterns that seemed to best promote "developed" discussions of literature with fifth-grade struggling readers in an urban school. Developed discussions are those in which a substantial topic is maintained and the teacher-student talk included interpretations of…

This study investigates the effectiveness of multiple fluency interventions on a single subject in grade three. Fluency interventions, including choral reading, echo reading, repeated reading, audio book modeling, and teacher modeling were implemented over a period of eight weeks. Results indicated that using multiple fluency strategies, rather…

Describes an alternative tutoring program, where meaningful teaching and learning emerges within an urban community, and its evaluation process. Notes that preservice teachers learn to understand the social context within which literacy can occur. Reveals the impact of this experience on preservice teachers' teaching and learning, as well young…

Explores gender differences in the knowledge constructed about World War II by 11- and 12-year-old Scottish pupils. Reveals the young women's work showcased individuals while the young men framed World War II information using a world view. Illustrates the epistemological differences that can exist between male and female students as they…

Describes the outcome of an innovative mentoring program that paired technology faculty and methods faculty in order to form partnerships to facilitate the modeling of technology for preservice teachers. Discusses the creation of useful applications for enhancing poetry writing through technology for elementary school students. (SG)

Reviews recent research findings concerning the benefits of Readers Theater for building oral reading accuracy and fluency and identifies key guidelines for instructional implementation. Presents recommendations and conclusions that place the focus on guidelines for classroom teachers who might want to experiment with Readers Theater as they work…

Examines children's picture books about soldiers and war, including fiction, folktales, and historical fiction, analyzing their implicit and explicit messages about war and the military, and evaluating them for gender stereotyping. Finds that the soldiers conform almost uniformly to an exaggerated male stereotype. Shows different value judgments…

Investigates the Spanish-English code switching of 60 elementary Mexican-American students in a story retelling activity. Suggests there is a positive relationship between code-switched story retelling, oral language usage, and enhanced narrative skills. Suggests that teachers explore the use of code switching in a story retelling activity as a…

Highlights the types of inferences four students in grades 2-5 drew while constructing meaning from expository passages. Includes an analysis of their think alouds and recommendations for comprehension instruction. Explores what factors contribute to successful inferencing. Sheds new light on the range of strategies elementary grade students use…

Investigates how effectively third, fourth, and fifth grade students monitor their comprehension at two levels (reconstructive and constructive). Finds that students rated their performance higher than they actually performed on both levels of questions; and that there was almost no relationship between students' actual performance and…

Determines what elementary teachers' believe are the most effective assessment practices for gathering data about the reading performance of their students. Finds that teachers perceived all reading assessment as having some degree of merit. Examines the views of beginning and experienced teachers, as well as primary and intermediate teachers. (SG)

Notes that many students in general education classrooms exhibit problematic behavior at some point during their academic careers. Suggests that these students often have special learning needs. Considers how using thematic units for reading and language arts instruction can improve these students' reading skills and help students with problematic…