When studying the question, Do primary students learn better through listening or reading?, the readability of the material used should be considered. (JH)

This monograph was developed to provide elementary classroom teachers with suggestions for diagnosing several aspects of children's reading abilities and attitudes. The techniques described adhere to diagnostic guidelines set forth in the first part of the monograph and should be useful in regular classroom situations. The remainder of the…

This study investigated the effect on word recognition of supplementing a beginning reading program with instruction in distinctive features of alphabet letters. Subjects, 11 first grade students in the experimental sample and 10 first grade students in the control sample in Short Hills, New Jersey, were administered a test of word recognition (20…

Arguing that most basal reading programs lack appropriate instructional strategies for teaching irregular words, this paper summarizes a teaching strategy for introducing new irregular words to children and discusses learning activities to ensure students will have an instant recognition of these words. The paper suggests presenting three to six…

Designed to contribute toward providing opportunities for young children to enlist their own powerful intelligence in the construction of their understanding of reading and writing, this book is a collection of six studies presented at the International Reading Association's Eleventh World Congress. An introductory chapter, "Discovering…

Intended for student use at home as a supplement to schoolwork or at school as a phonics text, this workbook presents two- and three-letter blends. Each consonant blend is taught in a lesson of one to three pages. The pages provide practice in recognizing the blend sound in a word using picture clues, using a blend to complete words, and choosing…

Focusing on providing an interdisciplinary framework, the papers in this monograph attempt to synthesize knowledge about comprehension from the points of view of cognitive psychology, textlinguistics, artificial intelligence, and sociolinguistics, as well as from the more conventional perspective of language education. Papers include…

For this practicum three methods for improving sight vocabulary for first graders were developed and implemented. Goals were to increase vocabulary recognition, improve students' attitudes toward reading, and raise critical thinking levels using parental support. The program, which involved 10 students, took place in 3 phases allowing 4 weeks per…

This position paper was written to assist teachers and administrators in Oregon in preparing curriculum and setting priorities for kindergarten programs. It begins by asserting that the focus of kindergarten instruction should be on the total development of the child: socioemotional, physical, and intellectual. The need for concrete learning…

At the heart of the enterprise of providing reading materials to new readers is the writer. The writer must write before the new literates can read and must write both effectively and interestingly. Although talent helps, acquired skills play an important part in writing, especially in expository writing. More important, to enable them to produce…

In the context of whole language learning, the teaching of phonics can be approached in two different ways. In one situation, the teacher engages children in composing with a purpose and for an audience, during which time the children become aware of graphophonic relationships through their need to spell words. In the other situation, the teacher…

The processes children use when learning to read and write seem mutually supportive, so the incorporation of writing prior to and in conjunction with reading seems advisable. Writing activities in the basal readers can be used instead of or along with parts of the core lesson, not just in the enrichment section. And by listening to a variety of…

Three interrelated strategies of print instruction can be used to connect kindergarten students to writing and literature: (1) connecting the child to previous experiences; (2) connecting verbal and written language; and (3) connecting children to literature, print, and writing. Children can link their past experiences to print by labeling…

This study reviewed the literature on phonological processes and decoding in beginning reading, and sought to determine the effect of functional articulation defects on decoding abilities in 18 first-grade students. Results indicated that students without speech impediments did not score significantly higher on a decoding test than students with…

The 180 reading tips described in this school calendar are intended for parents to help their children at home. The calendar presents tips for Monday through Friday and for September through May. Among the suggested exercises are the following: (1) sing the ABC song, (2) write five words that begin with B, (3) play a game of Hangman, (4) discuss…