The main insight given by this study of summer reading lists is that what students are assigned to read has more to do with individual teachers' beliefs and knowledge than any concrete practice. Teachers who make summer readings lists seem to be divided somewhat equally between focus on cultural literacy and desire to create lifelong learners.…

Describes the eight-week "Reading is Fun" summer program, one of several ways the Metropolitan Library System serves Oklahoma County's at-risk youth. A lesson plan was developed that called for borrowing library books that related to a weekly theme, reading aloud to children, and hands-on activities. Other projects for at-risk youth are…

The authors designed and implemented a voluntary reading program that was intended to reduce loss in reading achievement over the summer months, particularly for low-income and ethnic minority children. The program had two major components: (1) providing eight books that were well matched to each child's reading level and interests; and (2)…

The Florida Library Youth Program is an extension of the Florida Summer Library Program. Many libraries have wanted to provide programs for school-age children at times other than the traditional summer vacation, and this guide responds to their needs. The theme, "Once Upon a Tale," focuses on folklore, stories, and storytelling. The…

"Learning to Read Through the Arts" had as its target population 130 Title I eligible children ages 10 to 12 who were performing at least two years below grade level in reading. Student selection was based on standardized achievement test scores. The program focused on the improvement of reading skills through motivating pupil interests.…

New York City Schools operate a summer junior-high-school program which includes an intensive program of remedial reading. Students are admitted to the program only if they are reading at least two grade levels below their actual grade level as measured by the Metropolitan Achievement Tests. Reading classes of about 25 students each participate in…

AN 8-WEEK SUMMER PROGRAM TO PROVIDE A TRANSITIONAL EXPERIENCE FOR 69 GIFTED CULTURALLY DISADVANTAGED GIRLS (GRADES 8 TO 11) WHO WERE GIVEN CONDITIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS TO INDEPENDENT HIGH SCHOOLS CONSISTED OF INTENSIVE TUTORING IN ENGLISH, READING, AND MATHEMATICS. A PROFESSIONAL TEACHING STAFF WAS ASSISTED BY UNDERGRADUATE RESIDENT TUTORS, WHO ACTED…

"Alabama Education News" is published monthly except for June, July, and December by the Alabama Department of Education. This publication, authorized by Section 16-2-4 of the "Code of Alabama," as recompiled in 1975, is a public service of the Alabama Department of Education designed to inform citizens and educators about…

This paper provides an overview of the Voyager Expanded Learning programs. Initially begun with hands-on, activity-based learning experiences centered around academic themes designed to pique children's interest and motivate them to learn, Voyager has expanded from elementary after- and summer-school programs to include K-8 programs designed for…

Presents six ideas to improve public libraries' summer reading programs. Highlights include creating Web sites; marketing directly to parents rather than to schools through direct mail and collaborative promotion; statewide cooperative programs; the use of teen volunteers; scratch-off game cards; and off-site programs. (LRW)

Discusses methods that the Oceanside (New York) Library used to create programs for children with special needs. Story hours for children with and without parents are described; staffing issues are addressed; particularly helpful books are noted; and incorporation into the summer reading program is discussed. (LRW)

Reports on programs for children and young adults in public libraries in Canada and the United States and discusses implications for Australian libraries. Highlights include budgets; volunteers; government funding; and summer reading programs, including registration, measurements of reading, and programming. (LRW)

Outlines a major literacy initiative for urban children taking place in the Dallas, Texas Public Schools. Describes several different programs at the school district level aimed at family and community outreach, in order to create a literacy-education support system with primary care givers in the homes. (SR)

This article provides case studies of three middle school students--two female and one male--who participated in an individual summer tutoring program designed to improve students' reading comprehension and to encourage students to think critically about texts. With the researcher, students read and discussed Internet texts and wrote responses. An…

Based on the belief that the transition from learning to read to reading to learn can be facilitated by tailoring learning experiences to individual preferences, this book describes an affective-based 3-week summer reading program for students entering first through sixth grades. The first part of the book describes the philosophy of the program,…