Comparison of teaching U.S. history content to learning disabled junior-high school students using either mnemonic or nonmnemonic materials found that students learned substantially more information when instructed mnemonically. Teachers felt the mnemonic materials were significantly more appropriate for these students than traditional…

The study compared effects of two ways of making text more explicit for learning disabled (LD) children: by adding supportive information or asking inference questions at the ends of episodes. Adding elaborative content enhanced story understanding while asking inference questions was not more effective than the explicit version of the text alone.…

The article describes the Consolidated Method for Independent Learners (CMIL) which is based on schema theory and is designed to develop self efficacy, teach learning strategies, and foster generalization skills in learning-disabled and other handicapped children. (DB)

Instructional strategies for teaching learning-disabled students to use word processing for writing are considered. The features of three word processing programs useful for these students are compared for usefulness in a variety of curriculum applications. (Author/DB)

The article presents a metacognitive intervention for teaching mainstreamed learning-disabled students four learning strategies for thinking before, during, and after class discussions. Instructional and assessment procedures used for teaching the strategies are described. (Author/DB)

Strategies to optimize spelling instruction for students with learning disabilities are presented. Teacher-directed techniques involve a test-teach-test sequence, reduced word lists, reinforcement, imitation plus modeling, analogy strategy, and constant time delay. Eight study techniques to help students improve their spelling skills are also…

This study with 56 learning-disabled adolescents found that intensive generalization training specific to the development of complex mnemonic strategies was demonstrably more effective in recall at 1-day and 2-week intervals than a rehearsal condition. No added advantage was gained by adding attribution training to the mnemonic generalization…

A whole-language instructional approach is presented for use with students with learning disabilities. Teacher behaviors are outlined, including demonstrating, expecting success, and responding to students. Learner behaviors are also discussed, such as using language in natural situations, making approximations in their learning, taking…

The nine-step grid strategy provides prompts in both structure and content areas to improve the narrative writing skills of students with learning disabilities. The steps include developing a story grid with characters, setting, action, emotion, and so on; planning and writing the story; and completing both cognitive and technical edits. (DB)

Twenty learning-disabled students (grades 5 and 6) who received procedural facilitation for narrative composition, including story grammar cue cards and a metacognitive check-off procedure, produced better quality stories than a control group of 10 students. Including verbal reminders to develop characters did not affect story quality. (Author/JDD)

Thirty studies that examined mathematics strategies for use with learning-disabled students are reviewed. The studies evaluated reinforcement and goal setting on seat work performance, specific strategies for computation and problem solving, mnemonic strategies, peer mediation, and computer-assisted instruction. Virtually all instructional…

This paper suggests that Edwin Ellis' model for integrative strategy instruction, as applied to teaching adolescents with learning disabilities, requires further development in two areas: (1) the issue of what constitutes a thorough and valid educational model, and (2) the issue of how educational change can be successfully implemented. (JDD)

Implementation of a social skill training package with three elementary-school children who had behavioral and learning disorders resulted in increasing student acquisition of targeted social behaviors, which in turn led to lengthier peer interactions. Increases in nontargeted social responses were also demonstrated. (Author/JDD)

Presents a method of teaching science that employs two kinds of graphic organizers of information, the matrix and the branch-out strategies. Argues that these methods are particularly relevant for slower learners. Provides graphic examples. (HB)

The study with 26 learning disabled students (7- to 10-years old) receiving a direct reading instruction program found that phonological ability was related to progress in word attack skills and that syntactic ability was related to improvement in comprehension skills. (DB)