This textbook is about engaging students from fourth through eighth grade in literacy experiences. It is intended to help teachers of adolescents expand their knowledge of this age group and explore ways of engaging these students in meaningful literacy learning. Part One (chapters 1-4) provides selected theoretical foundations for developmental…

More than a list of activities or descriptions of strategies for teaching reading in the primary grades, this book is organized around a series of interconnected interactions with the learner: assessment; demonstration; practice; and response. After describing the role of the teacher and setting up the classroom environment, the book shows how…

One of a series of 10 English/Pacific language audiocassettes, this bilingual (English/Hawaiian) audio guide explores the benefits of reading aloud to children. Family members will learn how they can positively impact their children's success in school by reading aloud to them at home. A model session using a local story demonstrates read-aloud…

One of a series of 10 English/Pacific language audiocassettes, this bilingual (English/Samoan) audio guide explores the benefits of reading aloud to children. Family members will learn how they can positively impact their children's success in school by reading aloud to them at home. A model session using a local story demonstrates read-aloud…

Research indicates that parental involvement in activities that support academic areas is directly correlated with reading achievement and development. This study stresses the importance of reading aloud to your child, the connections between reading aloud at home and at school, the value of implementing hands-on literacy based activities that…

In addition to a teacher's having the enjoyment and appreciation of poetry as an educational objective for his/her students, there are numerous objectives that stress learners becoming proficient in hearing phonic elements, such as in rhyme in verse read and written. For example, a student teacher and a cooperating teacher in a second/third grade…

Describes an oral literature program that motivated children to read more and better books, provided them with meaningful, literature-centered reading and listening practice; expanded their knowledge of their literary heritage; enhanced their reading comprehension; and sharpened their reading, vocabulary, and listening skills. (FL)

A "Personalized Contract Book Program," modeled on the way that competent readers learn to read at home, provided a nonpressured environment that fostered students' reading development. (DD)

Describes a variety of ways to use literature (including fiction and nonfiction trade books as well as children's trade books) in both content and English-as-a-Second-Language classrooms at the secondary level. Discusses modifying content with trade books, books as sources of individualized input, learning general vocabulary through literature,…

Describes a classroom lesson on comets that uses modeling and guided imagery to spark students' curiosity. Comet models are built using chunks of rock salt, polystyrene balls, and tinsel. Abstract ideas are made more concrete with a guided imagery story called Comet Ride! Includes an introduction to the use of parallax to measure the distance of…

Presents a short excerpt from Barbara Kingsolver's book "High Tide in Tucson," intended as a read-aloud for adult beginning readers. Discusses the selection, why it was chosen, and specific activities (both language arts and other) that could grow out of this excerpt. (SR)

Describes an early intervention literacy program which brings books, children, and parents together in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. States that it provides low-income parents with the information, skills, and encouragement needed to promote the literacy development of their children. (PA)

Analyzes read-alouds of information books in a first-grade classroom. Finds that children's responses to the books and the connections they made among texts and between texts and other aspects of their lives shows that children's backgrounds are important factors in their literacy development. Notes the strength that diversity in children's…

Explains a reading and writing assignment called "Writing a Movie" in which students view a short film segment and write a script in which they describe the scene. Notes that this assignment uses films to develop fluency and helps students understand the reading and writing connections. Concludes that students learn to summarize a scene from film,…

Describes a program developed for public libraries that uses registered therapy dogs and their handlers to improve the literacy skills of elementary school children by having the dogs listen while the children read aloud. Relates experiences at various libraries that have tried the program and discusses positive results that increase children's…