Effects of an Anticipatory Reading Guide on Third Grade Struggling Readers’ Comprehension

With relatively stagnant levels of reading achievement in the last twenty years, it is paramount that educators not only teach content but also comprehension strategies to struggling readers. Though there are innumerable strategies available to teachers, this eight-week investigation explores the use of an anticipatory reading guide on third grade struggling readers’ performance on comprehension and vocabulary questions derived from a standardized state test. Results from the quasi-experiential designed study indicate that when struggling readers have practice opportunities to use and create anticipatory reading guides for thinking about what will be asked of them after reading, they perform at higher levels than their classmates not using this strategy. Findings are relevant to reading professionals working with struggling readers in the elementary grades

Curtailing the Reading Difficulties of International Students Through an Online Eye Training Interventions

Eye training interventions have been shown to improve reading skills of students. Investigators pondered about its effectiveness with developmental reading students in college who completed 122 online modules related to word reading speed and comprehension. Students not only increased their word reading speed to a statistically significant rate, but they also increased their comprehension rates of passages regardless of factors such as instructor of record, course time, or module completion time. Findings further depict the considerable relationship between eye movements and reading, prompting teachers to incorporate known eye training techniques to prepare struggling readers to be more efficient readers

Using Anticipatory Reading Guides to Improve Elementary Students’ Comprehension

One of the greatest challenges of an elementary school teacher is equipping students with comprehension strategies that transfer to all content areas. With stable levels of reading achievement over the last two decades in the United States, it is necessary that further research be conducted on methods of increasing students’ comprehension proficiencies. This experimental research study explores the use of an anticipatory reading guide with third grade struggling readers across multiple subject areas. Findings indicate that the experimental treatment group outperformed the control group by a statistically significant rate on both reading and content area measures, indicating that when struggling readers practice and use strategies to explicitly think what will be asked of them after reading the passage they perform at higher levels

Characteristics of four highly-regarded literacy teachers in rural and urban elementary schools

How does geography play a role in student learning and teacher instruction? Limited research efforts reveal that the needs of students in rural areas are quite distinct from other settings (Muijs & Reynolds, 2003; Rice, 2003). It is not until exclusive qualities are determined in both rural and urban environments that instructional plans can be geared to each student body. Addressing these sociocultural issues is crucial with an increasingly diverse population of students nationwide. Spradley’s (1980) Developmental Research Sequence and ethnographic interviews of four classroom teachers within rural and urban schools are the primary methods utilized throughout this inquiry. The participants are selected based on their school-wide reputation for being highly regarded literacy teachers. Several instructional techniques found are unique to rural and urban areas. Administrators, specialists, and classroom teachers should find the results of this investigation useful. Implications reach across grade levels as models of effective literacy instruction can be developed

Changing our Perceptions and Pedagogical Practices with Respect to Language Diversity

Guest colum

Literacy: The First Decade of the New Millennium

Although the importance of literacy instruction has remained con­stant since the beginning of the new millennium, literacy trends have shifted, often alongside acts of legislation. Areas of literacy education that were once overlooked in the past like adolescent literacy and RTI are now receiving increased attention, whereas areas of literacy like phonemic awareness, phonics, and fluency receive considerably less attention than 10 years ago. Discussions describe “very hot” and “cold” topics as they relate to philosophy/approach, level, content, materials, and assessment. Educators can utilize the findings in this survey to adjust their instruction and direct atten­tion to needed areas within their own schools

The Evolution of What’s Hot in Literacy

The annual What’s Hot, What’s Not in Literacy survey has served to highlight topics receiving attention in the field over the last 15 years. What we know as literacy has drastically shifted alongside advances in legislation, policy, and curriculum. As a result, what was once hot may subsequently receive less attention or even fall of the list entirely. So what happens to those topics that were once hot? Are they still valued enough by classroom teachers to warrant attention within their literacy programs? This article examines the context around previously hot topics and characterizes current teacher sentiments towards these topics to characterize how the field of literacy has changed over the last 15 years

Preserving Adolescent Readership through Interest and Motivation

Adolescent literacy has remained a relatively hot topic for several years in the field of reading education (Cassidy, Ortlieb, & Shettel, 2010/2011) however, educators remain conflicted about how to maintain high levels of reading motivation. A historical analysis of adolescent interests and motivations was conducted to determine what instructional techniques have had positive effects so as to meet the imminent needs of adolescent readers. Findings include information pertaining to: choice of a multitude of reading materials, substantial time to experience aesthetic and engaging reading experiences, and a relevant, challenging curriculum that addresses student needs, personal interests, and motivations

An Exploration of Strategy-Based Reading Instruction Using Expository Science Texts in the Elementary Grades

This qualitative exploration was designed to examine strategy-based reading instruction using science expository text in grades 2-5. This study centered on case studies of six elementary teachers and how they used reading strategies during science instruction. Findings revealed that although the teachers’ use of expository text was limited, teachers utilized particular reading strategies that extended and elaborated the students’ oral discussions during science instruction. The classroom conversations about science topics extended the students’ background knowledge of the science concepts that related to science expository text materials in grades 2-5. Further research could include alignment of reading strategy instruction with science instruction using print materials that are matched with the students’ instructional reading levels. Key words: Expository Text; Reading; Classroom Teacher; Comprehension; Strategie

Specialized Literacy Professionals as Literacy Leaders: Results of a National Survey

This large-scale national survey of specialized literacy professionals was designed to answer questions about responsibilities, including leadership, and preparation for these roles. Questionnaires, completed by over 2,500 respondents, indicated that respondents had multiple responsibilities that included both instruction of struggling readers and support for teachers. Four distinct role-groups were identified: instructional/literacy coaches, reading/literacy specialists, reading teachers/interventionists, and supervisors. The findings indicated a need for more precise definitions of the roles of these professionals and for preparation programs to include experiences that address the tasks required. Themes discussed included: roles have changed and require more focus on leadership, specialists must be nimble, and they require more in-depth preparation to handle the leadership demands of their positions