Discusses the problems of teaching critical reading and the lack of progress toward the solutions to the problems. Suggests a definition of critical reading and methodologies for its teaching. Presents a classroom observation checklist to evaluate students' critical reading processes. (MG)

Shares ways in which teachers who use a basal reading series can go beyond the manual and integrate the whole language approach into the language arts program. (MG)

Provides motivational guidelines based upon cognitive and educational research. Emphasizes the role of the teacher as an active socialization agent providing opportunities for success, using positive introductions, offering helpful feedback, and giving students choices with responsibility. (MG)

Measures the effects of presentation mode and perceived difficulty on retention of academic content material. Finds the main effects of presentation mode and difficulty to be significant; however, pairwise comparisons of means for mode did not show significant differences. (NH)

Establishes the logical validity of instructional activities for teaching reading evaluatively. Supports the view that the 20 characteristics of literate students who read evaluatively were translated into valid instructional activities by experienced classroom teachers. (HB)

Presents affective and cognitive factors impacting student reading attitudes for teachers and principals. Delineates specific elements affecting reading attitudes and consequent reading performance. Presents 10 specific suggestions to promote positive reading attitudes. (SG)