Motivation to read is a central consideration for teachers and researchers because it is strongly associated with reading performance and is generally accepted as a positive state. The study of reading motivation is plagued by inconsistent terminology and measurement, which impedes a comprehensive knowledge base for teachers and researchers. One…

Motivation and engagement play a crucial role in literacy development and achievement. However, the construct of reading engagement has become blurred and ambiguous, both in research and in discussions of practice. In order to guide future research and to extend our existing understanding of reading engagement into classroom practice, this study…

Readability systems have once more become prominent in policy and practice because of recommendations in the Common Core State Standards. This study revisited two features of current text analysis (readability) systems: their generalizability to all grade levels and to all content areas. A database that encompassed texts across the grade bands and…

Literacy learning has focused on skills over affective dimensions, such as self-efficacy, since the beginning of the 21st century. Self-efficacy is the belief in one's abilities to accomplish desired outcomes. What is less well known is how teachers provide effective literacy instruction linked to the affective dimension of development. How can we…

Reading motivation is a critical contributor to reading achievement and has the potential to influence its development. Educators, researchers, and evaluators need to select the best reading motivation scales for their research and classroom. The goals of this review were to identify a set of reading motivation student self-report scales used in…

In this paper, the author explores the importance of play at various stages of literacy development and contends that play is an essential element of learning. The author begins by defining play and literacy, using examples to theoretically explore the play and literacy interface throughout the life span. Finally, she moves into a policy…

This study examines teachers' beliefs about themselves as literate people and how those beliefs translate into classroom literary practice. Using a multi-method approach, it explores the private literate selves (via diary, survey, and interviews) of twelve K-12 teachers and establishes a foundational understanding of the influence of the social…

Jedediah Purdy's (2000) "For common things" laments the ironic mode of thought that characterizes our culture's mindset. He calls for a return to devotion, homage, and allegiance rather than what he sees as a jaundiced detachment that has overcome us. Purdy may be on to something, but Alexandra Day (1985) does not seem to adopt his call to a…

Examines whether students spontaneously focus on and acquire meanings for unknown words encountered in text. Indicates that, while the intentional learning group made the greatest gains, the incidental learning group acquired some knowledge and confidence. Shows that the control group gained little in either case. Provides support for incidental…

Suggests that critical thinking (the ideological immune system) can prevent or inactivate virus-like ideas (ideas that can invade a host, damage the host, and cause the host to replicate and transmit the ideas--infecting other hosts and propagating the ideas). Proposes that critical thinking alleviates many mental health problems. (SKC)

Contends that the addition of the microcomputer as a learning tool may enhance student learning and increase teacher effectiveness using the direct instruction approach. Discusses patterns associated with teacher effectiveness, practical application of the direct instruction model, and the incorporation of computer assisted instruction into a…

Investigates how Ritalin, a powerful stimulant drug frequently prescribed for children exhibiting hyperactive behavior, poor attention span, and/or distractibility, is prescribed for children in educational settings, what doses seem appropriate, and what effect Ritalin has on reading achievement. Discusses the implications of Ritalin research for…

Concludes that IRIs can be useful, flexible assessment and instruction tools in the hands of knowledgeable teachers. Offers suggestions for their use. (FL)

Analyzes the comments and behavior of one student during an interpretive reading discussion to show that this student proceeds in a cycle of learning. Reviews research in problem solving and reading comprehension to show that, for this student, reading comprehension is problem solving. (FL)

Outlines Teaching Reading as Conversation (TRAC), a program that teaches reading in an environmental context, with immersion techniques, as though it were a foreign language. (DF)