Reports findings of a survey of elementary school children concerning their preferences when being read to by others. Gives their responses to the survey's 11 questions and draws recommendations from them. (FL)

Although educational standards call for children to read information effectively, emphasis on using narrative texts with young readers persists in the early literacy community. This book shows that nonfiction texts can be as effective as narrative in early reading instruction, and offers suggestions for developing classroom libraries and choosing…

Designed to assist literacy volunteers, this handbook explains specific ways to guide a young child's successful journey into literacy. The handbook includes 10 specific ways of working with children, with guides and suggestions for each; many book lists, including multicultural titles at several grade levels; concrete suggestions; sample lesson…

The voices in this anthology, i.e., Zora Neale Hurston, Eudora Welty, Anthony Trollope, E.M. Forster, Franz Kafka, Frederick Douglass, Emily Post, Virginia Woolf, Bernard Malamud, and many others, describe the excitement of first learning to read and remind everyone of the unique companionship offered throughout life by books. The anthology…

By blending reading aloud, in particular "performance reading," with follow-up discussion, related activities, and plenty of wordplay, parents can prepare their children to think, communicate, and succeed in the adult world. Performance reading helps parents learn to read wordless books to relate to infants/toddlers; explore sounds of words to…

This handbook, developed from the authors' experience working with parents and children in a family literacy program in Niagra Falls, Canada, presents ideas and activities that help family members work together to learn why reading and writing are important and how children learn about literacy. It provides parents with step-by-step instructions…

This research project investigated whether computer-enhanced reading improved the reading fluency of students. This study looked at 22 second grade students, ages seven and eight, from an elementary school located in a suburban community. The class was divided randomly into two equal groups. The researcher introduced all students to the book at…

Acknowledging the problems with and the need for family communication, this booklet shows how increasing family reading can improve family communication and bring parent and child closer. It is not designed to teach a child how to read, but will show parents how to help their child become a better and more enthusiastic reader, by experiencing…

This book is part of a series that helps parents choose books for their children and talk with them about books in ways that actively engage children with the meaning on the printed page. The Introduction discusses children's natural development and how it affects their reading interests and behaviors. The first chapter, "Reading and Sharing…

Describes successful classroom strategies for improving the reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills of a fourth grader with poor communication skills development. Practices include sustained silent reading, exposure to "real" literature, reading aloud, purposeful listening, and writing with a purpose. Guidelines for teachers are…

Reports the findings of a study indicating that reading aloud to Black first grade students in an inner city area expanded significantly their knowledge of specific topics. (FL)

In an interview with New Zealand instructor and author Don Holdaway, discusses the value of shared reading experiences with very young children. Examines children's early reading strategies and the use of extra large print in reading materials. (HTH)

Describes how elementary school teachers encouraged poor readers and writers by having them--and the whole class--keep journals on topics they knew more about than anyone else in the class and then read the entries aloud. Discusses a three-step process approach to writing instruction derived from this successful method. (HTH)

Presents three library youth service programs which focus on "Pizza and Politicians," a public library pizza party which gave high school students and college-aged young adults a chance to meet and question politicians; a young adult "Reading to Seniors" program; "Making Books," a public library journal-making project…

Argues that making ethnic-specific literature integral to the literature program enhances a sense of community. Describes ways of exploring and reading ethnic-specific literature, and lists some titles for adults, young adults, and children. Offers criteria for selecting books, and suggests ways to create a community of readers using literature…