Kindergarteners' three pretend readings of two picture storybooks are analyzed in terms of approximate, ambiguous, and five types of extrapolated tokens. Seven tables show the results of analyses. It is suggested that children use various constructive strategies to acquire a familiarity with the registers of typical written story language.…

Explores the nature of illiteracy for adults who have made no or minimal progress in learning to read or write. Finds further support for using the whole language approach and the language experience approach for adult beginning readers. (RS)

Focuses on the development of and research into well-articulated models of reading fluency instruction that make fluency an integral part of the regular reading curriculum. Brings to light ways in which reading fluency instruction can be made an important part of and an achievable goal for the general reading curriculum. (SR)

Describes a modified alphabet for beginning readers based on psychologies of reading and visual perception. The Graphophonic Alphabet (GP) is explained, motivations for modifying the alphabet are discussed, and possibilities for teaching phonics and second languages as well as reading with the GP and microcomputers are considered. (16 references)…

Discusses the relation of research findings concerning field dependence-independence to conceptualizations of the process of learning to read. Proposes directions for investigation of the impact of individual differences in the acquisition of reading skills. (RJC)

Examines the relationship between word recognition ability, knowledge of orthographic structures, and use of orthographic knowledge in word recognition. Finds that children with a second grade reading vocabulary demonstrate a generalized effect of orthographic structure when searching for multiple word targets and when searching for members of a…

This bibliographic essay describes resources available in the ERIC database for teachers of adult beginning readers. Categories considered are theories, principles, and assessment tools; resources to assist with material selection and development; and practical teaching guidelines. (SK)

The effect of providing phonemic-awareness instruction at school entry on the reading and spelling progress of five-year olds was examined in a whole-language program with 81 subjects. Overall, training had significant effects on spelling and reading performance. (SLD)

Outlines a strategy for resolving disputes between the whole language and phonics camps in reading instruction. Reviews research on the role of context in word recognition, the process of reading acquisition, and analytic versus holistic approaches to reading acquisition. Suggests that the way is clear for whole language advocates to reconstitute…

Looks at implications of children meeting stories and storybook characters not only through books and videos but through anything from toys and games to pajamas. (RS)

Studies the segmentation performance of children who had not yet learned to read and students in the early stages of reading using whole word acquisition combined with letter-sound learning. Finds that segmentation ability progressed from phonemes to initial consonants to onset/rime--the reverse order predicted by hierarchical models based on the…

An analogy is drawn between understanding Shakespeare's work and the debate about teaching beginning reading. The apparent ease of reading is seen to mask its very real complexity. The importance of the early reading environment for readiness and the necessity of teaching sounds and then words is stressed. Tips for teaching phonological awareness…

Maintains that while basals have undergone a facelift in recent years, the core of the program remains the same. Analyzes the experiences children would have when reading Jane Yolen's "Grizzle's Grumble," assuming it were taught according to the guidelines provided in the basals. Asks Yolen about the treatment of her story in the basals. (TB)

Addresses native monolingual U.S. and Chinese incipiently bilingual children's ability to detect and identify inter- and intraword boundaries. Young children demonstrate similar patterns in their segmentation behavior and there is a developmental progression in this behavior. Mandarin Chinese subjects learning to read Chinese and English…

The article describes how to teach skills strategically in whole-language classrooms. It discusses differences between skills and strategies and notes how to move from skill to strategy. A section on teaching phonics examines phonics charts and personal phonics booklets; suggests an order for teaching phonics. (SM)