Examines how the role of questions in literacy instruction has always been strong, whether requiring answers involving rote memory or the activation of higher level critical thinking processes. Presents a six-step strategy for questioning followed by a field-tested group of fifth graders' responses to each step. (SC)

Presents teacher and student responses that show a privileging of girls' writing over boys' writing. Finds that girls' writing was viewed as more detailed, descriptive, and showing greater conformity to writing conventions. Indicates a need for conversations that question an emphasis on conformity in writing and that explore ways to nurture…

Engages students in critical thinking about what they read and involves students in authentic literacy activities by implementing a semester-long pen pal program. Examines the nature of the letters, categorizes the kinds of questions asked, and notes the patterns of communications between the pen pal pairs in order to glean the benefits to both…

Notes that all teachers must be prepared to meet the varying educational, social, and emotional needs of all children. Concludes that to ensure equal educational opportunities for all students, the educational system must be transformed so that all students have an equal chance to succeed. (SC)

Compares a traditional basal approach with a guided reading approach. Demonstrates that the fundamental difference between the two approaches lies in pitching instruction to the child's literacy level and the need for dynamic grouping of children for instruction. Gives a Vygotskian perspective of the transactions that occur between the teacher and…

Notes that teachers need to demonstrate a love of reading in order to pass it on to their students. Discusses ways to encourage a love of reading through book groups, reading goals, daily oral and silent reading, and sharing the impact of reading with students. (SC)

Presents the findings of a study that explored Interactive Bibliotherapy (IB) as an inservice practice to help prepare educators for the roles and responsibilities associated with inclusion. Concludes that IB can provide the vehicle by which educators' intrapersonal growth becomes an integral part of the construction of their knowledge and…

Explores an inner-city girl's view on school-based literacy activities in relation to several factors in the literature that are important to children's attitudes toward reading and writing. Identifies several factors including: intrinsic satisfaction she gains from the activities, her beliefs about the importance of schooling, and her…

Notes how the family literacy movement, which emphasizes respect for diversity and the cultural heritage of participants, is gaining momentum. Considers how the art of storytelling provides an excellent vehicle for promoting and enhancing language and literacy development within families. (SG)

Looks at the literacy practices of a Catholic home schooling group located in the United States Pacific Northwest. Finds that reading aloud was important to all parents. Notes some benefits cited by parents including immediate feedback for children, ability to pace themselves as necessary, and the opportunity to tailor lessons to individual…

Explores the effectiveness of "word boxes" phonics instruction on beginning first-grade children's word identification and spelling performance. Finds that children in the word boxes condition significantly outperformed children in a more traditional phonics condition. Indicates that word boxes lessons can be a viable phonics approach to teaching…

Argues that quality children's books represent effective and accessible avenues for inviting children to explore issues related to older adults and the aging process. Discusses and lists such books and offers suggestions for related activities. (NH)

Describes a project conducted by a classroom teacher to examine the effects of children's literature on students' existing attitudes and beliefs toward environmental issues. Outlines instructional procedures used in a unit for sixth grade science students who reexamined their beliefs about endangered species. Describes assessment procedures and…

Examines the reading and writing habits of preservice teachers. Reveals a variety of reading and writing histories and patterns of involvement in ongoing reading and writing. Concludes that preservice teacher educators cannot assume that their students are readers and writers, and that course activities should be designed to support students in…

Claims that increasing numbers of reading educators are looking to recent advances in holistic writing assessment to explore new potentials for assessing reading comprehension. Reports on a research project exploring use of freewriting to assess reading comprehension; describes use of written retellings as a tool to support reading; and presents a…