Contends that the basic reason for functional illiteracy is that as children, individuals did not develop the ability to meet the challenges required for reading and writing and that children can develop the ability to meet these challenges by having parents read to them at an early age. (FL)

Presents a few ideas about teaching reading and writing on many different levels in middle schools. Notes that teaching reading and writing requires commitment and a great deal of effort. Suggests reading to students at all grade levels; fueling real writing by having students engage in reading; and sing the "6+1 traits of writing"…

Presents a short section from a science fiction/fantasy novel by Terry Pratchett called "The Colour of Magic." Discusses its usefulness as a read-aloud for mathematics instruction of geometry, particularly the concept of circumference. (SR)

Examines the author's discovery of elementary students' science misconceptions derived from the books she chose to share as read-alouds. Identifies three intertwining elements that might have led intelligent, curious young learners to create impossible science from these read-aloud sessions. Uses these three elements to organize personal…

Finds that the social complexity of learning is revealed during read-aloud and journal writing time in a classroom where students are encouraged to interact with peers as they learn. Considers how stories create opportunities for children to interpret and reflect their own experiences as well as the experiences of others. (SG)

Presents some poems the author has used with students, the prompts they considered, and the poems they wrote in response. Concludes that educators must take advantage of opportunities where students can share their poems so that they, too, can experience the power of the written word. (SG)

Suggests an activity which encourages students to read with expression while reading aloud. (MG)

Describes ELVES (Excite, Listen, Visualize, Extend, Savor), a read-aloud strategy designed to develop listening comprehension and maintain elementary school students' initial excitement about reading. (MM)

Describes the Parent Readers Program at New York City Technical College of City University of New York, which improves the literacy of parents by preparing them to read aloud to their own children. (RAE)

Presents junior and senior high school teachers' suggestions for short stories to read aloud in a single class period, including "The Laughing Man" (J. D. Salinger), "A & P" (John Updike), "Epicac" (Kurt Vonnegut), "The Story of an Hour" (Kate Chopin), and "The Yellow Wallpaper" (Charlotte…

In the Big Book Experience, a text is projected on a screen and read aloud to students. In adapting the technique for adult literacy students, choose literature relevant to adults that is well written, reflective of a wide range of experiences, diverse, representative of many genres, and enjoyable. Follow-up activities enhance learner interaction…

Examines how nonfiction read-alouds can enrich elementary children's literacy learning experiences. Provides a rationale for the use of read-alouds, guidelines for selection, recommended formats for effective classroom presentation, and activities useful before, during, and after reading. (SR)

Two experiments involving 80 4-year olds were conducted to assess how children who differ in vocabulary knowledge learn new vocabulary incidentally from listening to stories read aloud. Results clarify the role of active responding by demonstrating that verbal and nonverbal responses enhance vocabulary acquisition. (SLD)

Describes the inspiration, planning, and implementation of the Poetry Project, a nine-week unit designed to immerse first and second grade children in the reading and writing of poetry. Notes that the project helped the students bring together oral and written language. (RS)

Discusses why storytelling is so important. Suggests ways to assist teachers and parents in storytelling. Lists 3 books on storytelling and 16 books of children's literature that provide experiences to preserve contemporary culture while making connections to the past. (RS)