This article summarizes preservice teachers' experiences in a book club that read young adult literature focused on issues related to bullying. Preservice teachers learned to recognize various incidents of bullying in the books. They also began to consider how they might handle incidents of bullying in their future classrooms. (Contains 2 figures.)

This article discusses an exemplary EL program grounded in research-based literacy strategies. World War II and the Holocaust served as the backdrop for a program that stressed vocabulary and concept development, and then connected that understanding to reading and writing. The "five streams" used to address literacy competencies included reading…

Clay's work regarding how learners develop independent, strategic control over the process of constructing meaning from written texts indicates that all learners need a flexible repertoire of strategies as a network for: (a) "problem solving" or working on text on the run, (b) "self-monitoring" of the message for clarity and coherence, and (c)…

This study examines unintended consequences during a 6th-grade book club discussion of Bette Bao Lord's (1984) In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson. The participants modeled a book club discussion, otherwise known as the fish bowl, for a newly enrolled student. Unintended consequences occurred within the realm of deviating from the rules of…

The Metacognitive Teaching Framework (MTF) is explained from the initial teacher-directed think-aloud through to students' independent use of cognitive strategies. The four stages of the MTF are described and tips for implementation are offered. Using questioning as an example, the authors work through what this looks like from stage 1 through…

The increased focus on reading strategies has had a number of unintended consequences, including the creation of strategy worksheets and isolated strategy instruction. We explore these unintended consequences and provide examples of how middle school teachers can engage students in authentic reading comprehension instruction that results in…

A teacher-researcher describes how collaborative inquiries with students into literacy has the potential to develop metacognitive awareness of language and literacy practices, inform practice, and provide opportunities for students to use literacy in meaningful and authentic ways. Drawing upon a teacher-research study into the use of argument…

School districts have come to think of intervention for struggling readers as something accomplished in a session outside the classroom, one period long, taught by someone other than that student's usual teacher. This often leaves struggling readers in a learning environment where no theory or empirical evidence would predict substantial learning.…

While strongly endorsing a multi-pronged approach to vocabulary instruction, Moen takes pains to include and even emphasize work with English Language Learners. By adhering to the principles of A.C.T. (Access to texts, individual Choice of reading material, and Time to read), Moen finds myriad ways to make learning words a creative and social…

To those who would claim that the study of literature is impractical, Probst would respond vehemently, "No, it is essential." The habit of thoughtful reading, insightful questioning, and critical evaluation are learned in English language arts classes where a variety of genres, characters, and situations push students to analyze and debate and…

Two boys from a special education class worked with Wilson to improve reading. Using Miscue Analysis to assess their reading strengths and weaknesses, Wilson engaged the boys in analyzing their miscues (Collaborative Retrospective Miscue Analysis), which led to their increased confidence and use of additional reading strategies.

Doherty and Coggeshall combined their two classes--one regular education and one special education--and, agreeing on the value of reader's theater and storyboarding for all students, embarked on a team teaching effort that resulted in improvements for all students, and unprecedented success for "special" students. A template for storyboarding is…

So much hinges on putting the right book in a student's hands. Motivation to read is the foundation from which knowledge, reading competency, and comprehension grow. But how do we do it? Here, Hinton and Dickinson offer practical advice for how to reach kids through a partnership with library media specialists and a commitment to promoting books…

The authors outline a research study that explores the plight of students who direct so much effort into decoding that comprehension suffers. They make the case that difficulties in reading for older readers (intermediate, middle, and high school) could be due to reading fluency difficulties, and they offer strategies for helping these students…

A literacy support teacher leads a district-wide initiative to organize content-area teachers in an effort to help their students become better readers by offering instruction and practice in five reading strategies across the curriculum. At the end of the 10-week program, teachers felt that students' comprehension had improved, and many felt some…