Explores the linguistic rationale for using children's literature and other authentic texts in literacy instruction. Describes some aspects of one literature-based approach in a field-based preservice teacher-education program. (SR)

Examines sex inequalities in both text and pictures of award-winning children's books from 1972 through 1997. Compares findings with a study examining award-winning children's books from 1940 to 1971. Finds few gains in representation of females, and finds that the decade of the 1950's remains that with the highest representation of females in…

Describes how a kindergarten teacher implemented a readers' workshop in his class. Describes children's enthusiasm, and shows how it gives the teacher time for quality interaction with all students, and gives students the chance to voice literary opinions and share their enjoyment of books. (SR)

Offers insights into successful elementary instruction for Limited English Proficiency (LEP) students in the regular classroom: learn as much as possible about each student's culture; encourage LEP students to share their history, culture, and language with the class; invite parents to take an active role; and employ the same literacy teaching…

Argues that discussions in the United States of "balanced reading" ignore decades of successful reading instruction in New Zealand based on "Balanced Reading Programmes," that embrace more complex constructions on instructional practice than do current discussions surrounding balanced reading instruction in the United States. Argues that reading…

Describes a 10-week project in two second-grade classrooms that used daily Readers' Theatre experiences to develop children's meaningful and fluent reading. Discusses access to manageable materials, effective reading models, rereadings, instructional support and feedback, choosing the texts, and preparing. (SR)

Explores the role of vocabulary in reading development and suggests some classroom-tested approaches for nurturing students' vocabulary development and interest. Discusses vocabulary growth, vocabulary and concept development, and active processing of vocabulary. Discusses applications and examples of active-process vocabulary instruction,…

Describes Marie Clay's word boxes that help children attend to phonological and orthographic features of words, developing phonemic awareness and improving word recognition and spelling. Describes a study showing that the use of word boxes with several elementary school students with learning disabilities was effective for improving and…

Compares and contrasts chapters from two children's science textbooks, one published in 1992 in a traditional format, and the other in 1995 using a new format. Finds them very different in terms of structure and organization. Shows that children respond to these texts very differently. Shares some ideas about teaching with such texts. (SR)

Investigates the effects on students' literacy learning of implementing recommended practices for primary programs, mandated in Kentucky's sweeping education-reform effort. Finds that students taught by four "high implementing" teachers outperformed students of "low implementing" teachers on every measure of literacy achievement. Describes the…

Presents brief annotations of 39 illustrated children's books (published in 1997 and 1998) in which a triumph was achieved, a treasure was found, a discovery was made, a challenge was overcome, an inspiration was felt, or a surprise was experienced. (SR)

Describes how the author worked with one struggling reader to help him learn to make balanced and consistent use of different cues for word identification (graphophonic cues, how words look, grammatical appropriateness of words, sentence meaning, or background knowledge). (SR)

Observes and interviews three families in a public library over an 18-month period. Notes that the traditional link of parents reading to children was not present, yet other caring, personal, and powerful links to literacy were. Argues that awareness of diverse family experiences linking love to literacy provides platforms upon which educators can…

Presents the 1998 list of 27 topics that are currently "hot" and "not hot" in the field of reading instruction. Describes the rationale for and nature of the choices, and discusses the nature and significance of the ratings given by "literacy leaders" to these 27 issues. Offers references from both the professional literature and the popular…

Describes a peer tutoring program used in grades two and three of a school where the majority of children entering school do not speak English as their first language. Shows impressive gains made by the children in reading fluency, comprehension, and in spelling. Notes the program's positive effects on reading attitudes, positive social skills,…