scholarly journals Decodable Texts for Beginning Reading Instruction: The Year 2000 Basals

2002 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 269-298 ◽  
Author(s):  
James V. Hoffman ◽  
Misty Sailors ◽  
Elizabeth U. Patterson

This study focuses on the features of the first grade texts included in basal readers used for beginning reading instruction in Texas during the year 2000 adoption period. The authors investigated the general features of student texts with respect to the instructional design of the text, the accessibility of the text for beginning readers, and the engaging qualities of the texts. The features of these basal readers were then compared to the programs previously adopted in Texas (1987 and 1993 adoption periods). Using a variety of analyses, findings suggest that the mandate by the state of Texas to include more “decodable” texts did in fact, heavily influence the materials presented to beginning readers. In addition, there was an apparent lock of attention to other features that support beginning readers, specifically, predictability and the engaging qualities of the texts. The findings suggest that policy mandates have a direct influence on the content and nature of reading programs placed in the hands of teachers and students.

1999 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 275-287 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcy Stein ◽  
Barbara Johnson ◽  
Linda Gutlohn

This article bridges the gap between research and practice in beginning reading instruction by applying research-based evaluation criteria in a systematic analysis of recently published curriculum materials. Through a review of research on beginning reading instruction, the authors derived two instructional features characteristic of effective reading programs: explicit phonics instruction and a strong relationship between that phonics instruction and the words of the text selections in student reading materials. This article describes a curriculum analysis of several commercially published first-grade basal reading programs, which reveals significant discrepancies between the instructional strategies supported by the literature and the strategies endorsed by many basal reading programs; cautions are included. The authors conclude with recommendations for educators involved in evaluating, selecting, and modifying beginning reading curriculum materials.


1981 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 180-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Larrivee

This paper reviews accumulated research pertinent to the issue of modality preference as a method for differentiating beginning reading instruction. Research is considered here in the following categories: Studies providing differential instruction based on modality preference; related studies comparing auditory and visual modes as mediational channels; and studies dealing with the extent to which auditory and visual capacities are related to success in beginning reading. The following conclusions are presented: 1) Regardless of the measure used to classify learners, only a relatively small percentage of children showed a marked preference for either modality; 2) most current measurement instruments did not demonstrate the necessary reliability to be used in decisions concerning differential assignment of children to instructional programs; and 3) differentiating instruction according to modality preference apparently did not facilitate learning to read.


1993 ◽  
Vol 19 (7) ◽  
pp. 601-665
Author(s):  
Dina Feitelson ◽  
Adriana G. Bus

1976 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jon E. Shapiro

This study was designed to investigate the relationship of reflection-impulsivity to performance on a standardized readiness measure. 90 first grade boys were administered the Matching Familiar Figures test to determine their conceptual tempo. 37 boys were classified as impulsive while 30 were determined to have a reflective conceptual tempo. After determining that no pre-existing differences on chronological age, mental age, or intelligence quotients were evident between the two groups, the 67 subjects were administered the Gates-MacGinitie Readiness Skills Test. Results of the statistical analyses revealed that the reflective subjects were significantly superior on overall test perfromance and on six of eight subtests. Implications for beginning reading instruction and for further research were drawn.


1972 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
R. G. Stennett ◽  
P. C. Smythe ◽  
June Pinkney ◽  
Ada Fairbairn

The results of the three studies reported indicate that a measure of simple oculomotor skill, relatively uncomplicated by cognitive and motivational factors, can be obtained by photographing Ss' eyemovements as they read digits with a set for speed. This simple oculomotor skill is apparently well developed in students who are beginning reading instruction. Simple psychomotor tests probably cannot be used as substitutes for direct eyemovement measures and neither such tests nor measures of simple oculomotor skill relate very well to several measures of the elemental sub-skills involved in learning to read. Efficient eyemovement behavior during reading is primarily a result rather than a cause of good reading. Studies which attempt to isolate the key skills explaining the variability in children's success in beginning reading can, therefore, safely ignore measures of eyemovement.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document