This book contains the formal papers that were presented at the 1968 convention of the International Reading Association. The papers discuss aspects of the following reading areas: reading instruction and materials, the curriculum in reading, reading organization, teacher education, research evaluation and reports, and issues in reading on the…

Reveals a clear relationship between teachers' aims and objectives and choice of class organization and that pupils taught in classes in which reading is heard in groups achieve higher reading standards than do those taught individually. Shows also the effects of time on the quality of instruction. (FL)

Observes a fifth grade classroom where students were heterogeneously grouped for reading to see how the teacher organized and managed this type of grouping. Examines the effect on students' reading. Includes a description of the teacher's plan and outlines factors contributing to the success of the plan based on observation and student reports.…

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a self-contained classroom approach in comparison with two other reading approaches. The self-contained approach classes consisted of fifteen pupils, all nominated by their teachers. In the self-contained approach, reading and communication skills were given the most emphasis. The students in the other two…

This report presents a synthesis of a day-and-a-half interactive conference on research and development in reading attended by a group of reading specialists from Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas representing their state departments of education. It includes the two presentations "A Sampling of Research Within Reach"…

A study was conducted to determine whether there is a typical instructional sequence used to teach reading in third and fourth grade classrooms, to what extent the core text-related sequence (a child-related introduction of the text, followed by reading, and then discussion and interpretation of text content) is used, and if it is not used, what…

Observations of third- and fourth-grade classroom reading lessons revealed not only that text-related reading comprehension was seldom taught, but also that a coordinated or topically organized sequence of text reading instruction was rare. (FL)

Three conclusions were drawn about within-class grouping after reviewing the work of several researchers on the following topics: teacher and student behavior, academic achievement, perceptions about reading groups, social class membership and reading group assignment, and the role of group cohesiveness. The conclusions were that: (1) although the…

A group composed of 124 classroom teachers, reading teachers, and graduate students in reading specialization programs participated in a study that examined how teachers select and use information in judging students' probable performance in reading groups. Each subject read two case studies (one describing a boy with social problems but no…

Two prime factors are noted in the attainment of excellence in education: (1) an excellent teacher and (2) a situation that makes individualized instruction possible. Researchstudies comparing such grouping methods as homogeneous, heterogeneous, the Joplin Plan, team teaching, and nongrading are reviewed. The author suggests that school…

Offers suggestions for organizing the primary classroom to provide ideal conditions for teaching reading. (DF)

Data on beginning reading practices in 23 countries are presented in this report. Each entry provides information about the age at which children are introduced to reading; the methods, materials, and classroom organization used in the primary reading classes; and the involvement of parents and family in beginning reading activities. Selected…

A study tested two hypotheses aimed at explaining the "self-fulfilling prophesy" that results when students are divided into ability group systems. The differential instruction hypothesis explains achievement differentials produced by grouping systems in terms of the differential instruction received by students. The peer differentials…

Examines how teachers allocate instructional time in reading classes. Indicates that teachers used 34% of time in reading and responding; 24.89% in listening and discussing; 8.36% waiting; 20.28% completing skill development; 7.52% in telling, writing, and narrating; 3.47% in other activities. Notes that the recommendation that time spent reading…

Theorists and researchers have indicated that the Group Oral Review (GOR) provides valuable classroom interaction. Some objectives of the GOR approach to reading (for developmental studies reading students) are as follows: to reinforce the process used in a reading assignment, to aid development of metacognitive awareness, to emphasize the idea…