Examines an early instructional intervention called "Reading Recovery" that provides individualized instruction for first grade students who need extra help in beginning reading. A model illustrates the long-term savings possible through the use of Reading Recovery compared to special education programs, grade retention, or Chapter 1…

This article presents evidence that initial and advanced reading abilities are predominantly mediated by the right and left cerebral hemispheres, respectively. Premature reliance on left hemisphere reading strategies or later failure to shift from earlier right hemisphere strategies are hypothesized as resulting in two different types of dyslexic…

Considers patterns of possible relationships between phonological recoding skill and three conceptually distinct aspects of reading. Finds that systematic instruction is more effective than incidental instruction; inclusion of direct instruction in phonological recoding skill yields better results than relying primarily on writing activities; and…

Demonstrates how cognitive style can be a useful construct in understanding why some children learn to read easily while others do so with great difficulty. Overviews relevant findings from cognitive style research in areas related to both acquisition of word recognition skill and the development of comprehension processes. (MG)

Takes a closer look at the reading skills of beginning readers who are able to read words by analogy. Finds that reading unfamiliar words by analogy to known words is an easier process and can be executed by beginners more readily than reading unfamiliar words by phonologically recoding the words. (MG)

This paper offers a rationale for integrating phonics with reading instruction for students with reading disabilities. It then suggests that direct teaching of sounds be provided by constructing "soundsheets" with rows of sound/letter combinations taken directly from the text the child will read after practicing the sounds. (JDD)

Includes the keynote address by Betsy Hearne as well as reports on workshops held as part of the conference on children's literature. Topics discussed include children's poetry, books for children learning how to read, pictures in nonfiction, the child and myth, oral tradition, storytellers, folk motifs, and illustrations and illustrators. Remarks…

Discusses how teachers can involve kindergarten children in learning mathematical concepts by basing such learning on the students' personal, real-world experiences. (BB)

Investigates whether the prelexical phonological route develops prior to the visual route while learning to read Greek. Finds reading accuracy unaffected by the main psycholinguistic properties of words; chronological age did not influence long-term reading acquisition; and beginning readers used phonological information in reading but started to…

Considers first graders' comprehension-monitoring skills related to their decoding and listening comprehension skills. Concludes that monitoring one's comprehension is already present in beginning reading but that the level of decoding and listening-comprehension skills affects the way and efficacy of monitoring. (SC)

Describes how a kindergarten teacher implemented a readers' workshop in his class. Describes children's enthusiasm, and shows how it gives the teacher time for quality interaction with all students, and gives students the chance to voice literary opinions and share their enjoyment of books. (SR)

Describes Peer-Assisted Learning Strategies for First-Grade Readers, a type of classwide peer tutoring designed specifically to help general-education teachers prevent, or at least reduce, early reading failure. A description of program components, empirical evidence of its effectiveness, and case studies are presented. (Author/CR)

Investigates the nature and role of predictable texts for beginning readers and writers in first grade. Examines ways three children used texts to support their early-literacy development. Finds diverse and complex activities, as children made links within a text (textuality), between texts (intertextuality), and between texts and contexts…

Analyzes phonics teaching and learning in eight whole-language first-grade classrooms from October through May. Finds that foundation concepts (phonemic and phonological awareness, phonemic segmentation) and letter-sound relationships were taught and that teachers differentiated phonics instruction based on learned development and ongoing…

Description of a tutoring program for struggling 1st grade readers focuses on use of Sound Partners, a program designed for non-teacher tutors. This program emphasizes basic phonological awareness and phonological reading skills. The article describes the program's theoretical ancestry, application, research outcomes, and obstacles/solutions…