In this article, the author describes ten nonfiction books she recommends for adults: (1) "My Reading Life" (Pat Conroy); (2) "Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea" (Barbara Demick); (3) "Learning to Die in Miami: Confessions of a Refuge Boy" (Carlos Eire); (4) "The Perfect Shape + The Perfect Sauce =…

Describes two initiatives of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) to help children become life-long readers. The AFT/Chrysler Learning Connection Reading Grants program awards grants to schools for family involvement reading programs. The booklet "Helping Your Child Learn to Read" contains activities parents can use. Some booklet…

Topics include the use of light sensitive pens and codes to teach reading to slow readers, blind and learning-disabled children, and children with mental retardation; new booklets and audiovisual programs designed to help professionals, families, and communities cope with problems of today's youth; and a book that examines self-care for children…

NaturalReader (http://www.naturalreaders.com/) is a new generation text reader, which means that it reads any machine readable text using synthesized speech without having to copy and paste the selected text into the NaturalReader application window. It installs a toolbar directly into all of the Microsoft Office[TM] programs and uses a mini-board…

This issue (v5 n2) contains booktalks and information of interest to librarians. The Texas Bluebonnet Reading Program for students in grades 3-6 is described, 21 reviews of both fiction and nonfiction books are included for grades 3 through adult readers, and an index is included for "The Booktalker," v2. (LRW)

Discusses T. S. Eliot's communicational scepticism, defined as "...the idea that meaning is to some extent private to each individual, since language is an inadequate instrument for conveying thoughts from one mind to another." The article examines various issues relating to the literary criticism of Eliot's poetry. (20 references) (CK)

This paper discusses minicomputer-based ILSs (integrated learning systems), i.e., computer-based systems of hardware and software. An example of a minicomputer-based system in a school district (a composite of several actual districts) considers hardware, staffing, scheduling, reactions, problems, and training for a subskill-oriented reading…

Discusses performing arts materials and programs in elementary and middle school curricula; notes developments of performing arts programs in certain states. Describes selected children's books with performing arts themes. (AEF)

Discusses using a library database to aid students in book selection. Describes choosing a database program. Lists important database variables as desired grade level, difficulty level, length of book, and sex of the main character. Notes student critiques of the system. Summarizes five library database programs. (MVL)

Beginning in Spring 1998, Virginia students participated in the Standards of Learning (SOL) Assessments designed to test student knowledge of the content and skills specified in the state's standards. This document contains questions that approximately 83,000 students in grade 3 were required to answer as part of the SOL assessments. These…

Beginning in Spring 1998, Virginia students participated in the Standards of Learning (SOL) assessments designed to test student knowledge of the content and skills specified in the state's standards. This document contains questions that approximately 80,000 students in grade 5 were required to answer as part of the SOL assessments. These…