This article is based on the premise that mandated reading in literature classrooms may be perceived as an imposition and disliked by students. Attempts to address that scenario have suggested that text selection should be given more consideration to promote reading engagement, particularly by choosing texts which are familiar to the lifeworlds of…

Despite ongoing effects to improve Thai children's reading competency, particularly their engagement with reading strategies, concerns remain regarding EFL pre-service English teacher's (PSTs) ability to effective instruction these strategies. This study investigates stakeholders' perspectives on PSTs' reading proficiency and instructional skills,…

Purpose: To become good at anything we need to practice. However, in the classroom context, much of the reading time is devoted to instruction rather than practice. Reading practice should be daily. Text choice, motivation and reading for pleasure all interact to support implicit learning. Design/methodology/approach: Review and synthesise the…

Nonfiction texts demand critical literacy, as evidenced by these teachers' experience teaching Phillip Hoose's "Claudette Colvin: Twice toward Justice" with ninth graders. In addition to selecting high-quality nonfiction, the authors are committed to high impact teaching of those texts. For the authors that means supporting students'…

The Wallace Foundation is funding a multiyear demonstration project to determine whether voluntary, district summer learning programs can stem summer learning loss for low-income students. Six districts--Boston, Cincinnati, Dallas, Duval County (Florida), Pittsburgh, and Rochester, New York--were selected for the demonstration project and…

The purpose of this study was to examine how secondary teachers have been taught to teach reading-to-learn over the last four decades, and to teach the struggling and reluctant readers in their classes. In this study, twelve secondary reading methods textbooks were analyzed. The textbooks were chosen based on four criteria: (a) availability, (b)…

Presents annotations of 30 books selected through a field test in the United States of over 300 newly published books submitted by North American trade book publishers. Groups the books into 10 Primary (K-2, ages 5-8), 10 Intermediate (Grades 3-5, ages 8-11), and 10 Advanced (Grades 6-8, ages 11-14) levels. (SG)

Because gifted readers have instructional needs that vary greatly from the norm, curriculum planners and teachers should make plans for the gifted that are different from those for other pupils. An instructional program for gifted readers should (1) have a strong content and value emphasis, (2) group students so as to allow the gifted to relate in…

A caring reading curriculum is needed to help children learn to care for others while promoting academic success in reading, thereby satisfying both the academic and social purposes of education. In developing or evaluating a caring reading curriculum, certain aspects of the program must be considered. These aspects are classroom environment,…

Instructional materials are usually selected by classroom teachers. Little is known about what criteria they use in making these choices. Most of the literature recommends, instead, the attributes to be used. This study employs a qualitative approach to examine one teacher's thinking about her selection of materials. Fundamental to her thinking…

Since 1987, the school district of West Allis-West Milwaukee (Wisconsin) has reviewed and revised its elementary reading program based on the philosophy that spoken, read, and written language must flow naturally from the child, be used in meaningful ways to communicate real needs, and involve tradebooks. Numerous inservice presentations and…

Intended for reading curriculum designers and teachers, this manual presents suggestions for developing a balanced reading program at the junior and senior high school levels. The first section discusses the organization and administration of a secondary school reading program, including the essentials of a balanced program and the evaluation of…

Finds that many nonfiction books chosen were at inappropriate reading levels for the primary-level students. Suggests what hindered some teachers was lack of knowledge of what is available and lack of access to quality nonfiction. Provides a portrait for classroom in which a wide variety of nonfiction is available and a variety of reading levels…

Discusses how reading literature should be taught in cultures different from the United States as well as in the United States. (Author/RK)

The program of studies for a reading elective course for avid or potentially avid readers at the junior high school level contained in this guide represents an attempt to address problems experienced by young adult readers. The program would provide time for them to read, and it would allow students the opportunity to value reading whether it be…