A relaxation method for handwriting improvement was examined using experimental and no-treatment control groups composed of 10 students receiving a poor rating on handwriting characteristics and a normal control group of 10 composed of students receiving average ratings. (Author/PHR)

Reported by the child's teacher is the successful use of a language experience approach to teach reading to an extremely shy second-grade girl with few prereading skills. (DB)

The effects of a task-focused goals (TFG) treatment in mathematics were studied with low-achieving students with or without learning disabilities. Results with 40 elementary classrooms showed that TFG students enjoyed the approach, but that increased effort was associated with greater learning only for those without learning disabilities. (SLD)

The poor achievement of secondary students with learning disabilities in mathematics is often affected by prior low achievement, low expectations for success, and inadequate instruction. Good instruction involves careful selection of examples; explicit instructional design; a parsimonious use of time and resources; and techniques such as direct…

Sixth- and seventh-grade students (n=68) with learning disabilities in mathematics received either concrete-to-representational-to-abstract (CRA) or traditional instruction in algebraic transformation equations. Students receiving the CRA instruction outperformed peers receiving traditional instruction on both post-instruction and follow-up tests…

The reading achievement of students with learning disabilities (N=24) who received DISTAR instruction was compared to that of similar students using basal reader materials. The overall reading scores were not significantly different following one and two years of instruction, although DISTAR students had somewhat better word attack skills. (DB)

Fourteen upper elementary-aged learning-disabled (LD) students were trained on referential communication tasks, then compared to an LD control group and a normally achieving training group. The LD trained group achieved significantly higher scores than did the control group on two speaking tasks, but did not perform differently on the listening…

The overview focuses on the advantages and principles of instruction using learning strategies for students with learning disabilities. It is emphasized that strategies are not to be applied without consideration of the individual, process, or context. (MSE)

A metacognition model that can help understand general problem-solving deficits in learning disabled students is presented. Two components of metacognition are highlighted: executive processes and attributional beliefs. An educational package combining these components with specific strategy training is illustrated as an approach to improving…

This paper examines the complexities of written language in terms of both its mechanical and creative skills. It discusses four approaches to providing assistance to writers with learning disabilities, including rule and skill instruction, substantive facilitation, procedural facilitation, and self-instructional strategy training; and recommends a…

Advocates using "classics" to teach remedial English classes. Outlines several misconceptions about teaching the classics to lower-ability students, and recommends several selections which can be used in remedial classes. (MM)

The study compared two methods of teaching an initial place value skill: a concrete, semiconcrete, abstract teaching sequence and an abstract-only presentation. Learning-disabled elementary and middle school students (N=24) using the concrete to abstract teaching sequence performed significantly better on three posttests than students taught the…

The effects of two instructional methods on the questioning strategies of 40 10- to 12-year-old learning disabled children were investigated. Results indicated that both the question formulation instruction and the cognitive modeling/self-verbalization instruction were effective in improving their questioning concerning novel problems. (Author/DB)

The importance of involving the parents of handicapped children in mathematics instruction is discussed, and some tips for parents are included. (MNS)

Interpersonal problem solving (IPS) is often difficult for learning disabled students. Two model IPS interventions, an elementary and a secondary, are described. Key components in both models include alternative and consequential thinking, skills implementation, and a "stop and think" approach to problem resolution. (Author/DB)