One of the purposes for providing children with multiethnic books is to promote acceptance of diversity, yet the results of this exposure have rarely been empirically studied. The purpose of this study was to explore the story-related topics of discussion initiated by eleven 4- and 5-year-olds as they used multiethnic books during small group…

Emphasizing that reading aloud is a way to show children how to handle books and give them chances to talk about those stories, this manual provides several activities that reinforce parents' belief that they are their children's first and best teacher. The activities also reaffirm and validate their prior knowledge about reading and its benefits.…

Within the fundamental context of "how children learn to read," attention is drawn towards an understanding of the "components" that are necessary for the child to move from oral language to early literacy. Looking at this transition requires the educator to consider whether literacy can develop as naturally for the child as speaking, or if not,…

The years when a young child's language skills are "exploding" are the years between three and five. What can make a dramatic difference in a child's life is if parents take a few minutes a day to read to him or her. Reading to a child helps him or her become a successful reader. The child develops a sense of phonics and learns that stories have a…

This model responds to the need of many Massachusetts schools and teachers for specific guides to the required scope of core knowledge, to curriculum design, and to teaching resources. Each unit of study in the model is accompanied by a group of sample readings from children's literature, largely nonfiction selections. The model is not…

This study explored the relative strength of relationships between text, child, adult reader, and mode of story reading style in contributing to comprehension and memory in young children. Specifically, the study asked: What is the correlational relationship between the four vertices of a tetrahedral model of understanding and memory in children's…

Describes the shared book experience, which involves having a teacher enlarge a story book, place it on an easel where everyone can see it, and then read it aloud to students. Discusses the advantages and disadvantages of this technique. (FL)

Offers a rationale for the practice of elementary school teachers reading frequently to their students and discusses guidelines for book selection and for planning read-aloud sessions. Includes a bibliography of read-aloud books. (FL)

Presents an interview with Charlotte Huck. Includes such topics as what motivated her to set about helping to create the field of children's literature; her views on children's books and some of her favorites; and how her love of children's literature compelled her to become an author of children's books. (SR)

Reports on a survey of nearly 300 high school seniors asked to reflect on their reading experiences, both inside and out of school. Demonstrates that students find assigned reading, especially Shakespeare and Dickens, unrewarding and painful. Discusses problems and solutions of contemporary teaching methods. Suggests that students be given a…

Describes using read-alouds to entice reluctant high school readers. Discusses beginning read-aloud guidelines, titles that work (both listing and discussing numerous titles), adjustive guidelines, and effects on students. (SR)

Asserts that the same positive outcomes associated with reading aloud to children also apply to oral storytelling, and encourages parents to share their culture, values, and beliefs through storytelling to their children. Presents specific ideas for storytelling, including "me" stories, story starters, nursery rhymes, books, cooking,…

Examined how seven Norwegian law students' strategic processing and linking of multiple sources worked together during reading expository texts. Found that students primarily used memorization and organization strategies to process information in the text they were currently reading. They more often used monitoring and elaboration to focus on…

Discusses five young adult novels, which the teacher had successfully shared with previous classes by reading aloud. Reviews the characters, plots and themes of all five books. Presents journal responses from the students about the novels. Discusses how students explored unknown worlds as they heard about other cultures. (SG)

Addresses the affective quality of the parent-child relationship during shared book reading. Finds a significant difference in the affective quality of the parent-child relationship related to both the child's attitude toward reading and the child's reading fluency. Notes dyads who were affectionate during shared reading had children who were less…