Language and Literacy Education Commons^™

Reading Across Different Orthographies: Urdu, Arabic, Hindi And English, Amna Mirza

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Research on relationships across literacy skills for multiple languages suggests the need for a complex framework that includes linguistic typology as well as cognitive and cultural variables (Schwartz, Geva, Share, & Leikin, 2007). Literature shows that bilinguals activate both languages they know for all linguistic tasks regardless of which language is being used at the time (Kroll & Bialystok, 2013). In that case, learning a third or any additional language is qualitatively different than second language (L2) acquisition. Findings for readers of Roman scripts demonstrate that L1 reading and L2 proficiency influences L2 reading (Cummins, 1979). The current research examined …

250 Words Of I Don't Understand: Reading Struggles For Freshmen College Students, Alicia Bushey

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The focus of this Capstone project is on the reading struggles of first year college students. This is important because reading is a fundamental need in secondary education and in our society. If people are challenged in this area, they will struggle both in higher education, as well as certain aspects of daily living. The three primary stakeholder perspectives examined were college teachers and tutors, because of their relevant expertise, as well as their roles and responsibilities. Based on an analysis of the data and the relevant research literature, action was taken to help first-year college students overcome their reading …

Choice And Its Effects On Motivation To Read, Kayla Cantu

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

The purpose of this action research study was to determine if there is a connection between the implementation of choice in the classroom and students' motivation to read. Research-based literacy framework and a choice model were used over an eight week period of time. Qualitative data was collected at the beginning and the end of the study in the form of surveys. Analysis of the data concluded that kindergarten students when given opportunities for choice in the classroom their motivation to read increased.

Infographic: Books In The Home And Student Achievement, Rebecca Vukovic

Teacher infographics

The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) is an international comparative study of student achievement. Here, we look at TIMSS data on books in the home and the percentage of Australian students at or above the proficient standard for maths and science.

Creating A Culture Of Literacy: Strengthening The Core Of Secondary Reading Instruction, Karen C. Waters, Charles Britton

Education Faculty Publications

The purpose of this paper is to articulate a plan to provide high quality literacy instruction in secondary content area classes that will yield the highest impact on student learning while addressing the needs of the lowest-performing students whose literacy needs cannot be ignored. This will necessitate a restructuring of the three-tiered format within which a systems approach for school improvement embeds a well-defined professional learning plan, and strong collaboration among content area teachers, reading professionals, and special educators to collaborate on the delivery of differentiated, cross-curricular instructional supports.

Do Spellings Of Words And Phonemic Awareness Training Facilitate Vocabulary Learning In Preschoolers?, Robin O'Leary

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The purpose of this study was to examine the contribution of phoneme awareness training and orthography to the learning of new vocabulary words by partial alphabetic phase readers. We hypothesized that four and five year old children taught to segment words with letters would outperform those trained with shape markers and those that received no segmentation training on an invented spelling task. We also hypothesized that students seeing the spellings of new vocabulary words (names) would learn the words in fewer trials, remember the names and features better and would be able to better recognize letter labels when presented alone. …

Investigating Linguistic, Literary, And Social Affordances Of L2 Collaborative Reading, Joshua Thoms, Frederick J. Poole

Languages, Philosophy, and Communication Studies Faculty Publications

This exploratory study analyzes learner–learner interactions within a virtual environment when collaboratively reading Spanish poetry in a Hispanic literature course at the college level via an ecological theoretical perspective (van Lier, 2004). The goals of the study are (a) to present empirical data that illustrate the theoretical construct of affordance in a virtual, collaborative reading environment, and (b) to investigate the pedagogical ramifications of using a digital annotation tool to involve learners in collaborative reading. Three distinct types of affordances emerged in the data: linguistic, literary, and social affordances. Our findings indicate that the number of literary and social affordances …

How To Boost Literacy In Ages Birth To Three, Brianna Johnson

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

This literature review explores the history, viewpoints, theoretical frameworks, and themes in literature of early literacy in the United States. It also discusses legislation on this topic, such as No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Literacy in ages birth to three has been a long time educational issue. The ‘pendulum’ has swung between different approaches to literacy instruction. It is important for every person to be informed on this subject because early literacy affects each life. What one learns or fails to learn in the first three years of life affects the rest of …

Achievement And Engagement With The Workshop Model In The High School Literature Classroom, Sara Stensaas

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

The research question addressed in this study is as follows: does the use of the workshop model improve engagement and achievement in an honors senior level literature classroom? This action research study sought to discover how two workshop treatment groups, Blau’s literature workshop and Tovani’s workshop model, compared to a control group in achievement on the target unit learning objectives and engagement change over the unit with high school honors-level senior students. Using pre- and post-treatment surveys, focus group discussion, and a unit test, this mixed-method research project looked for a parallel between increase engagement and achievement. Engagement measures under …

Whole Language Vs. Phonics?: Meaning-First And Code-First Approaches To Reading Instruction, Andrew P. Johnson

Elementary and Literacy Education Department Publications

This chapter excerpt describes approaches to reading instruction based on two different theoretical perspectives: a meaning-based approach and a skills-based approach. Video mini-lectures are included.

Middle-Grades Students' Understandings Of What It Means To Read In A High-Stakes Environment, Mary Beth Schaefer

Curriculum & Instruction Faculty Publications

In this practitioner inquiry, the teacher researcher found that a culture of high-stakes testing had pervaded her diverse, urban seventh-grade students' conceptions of reading; students associated reading with tests and skills-based worksheets rather than pleasure. Using students' voices, passions, and interests, the teacher researcher broadened students' reading conceptions and abilities by introducing them to Langer's reading theory. Students used the theory to develop deep understandings of their own and others' reading needs, skills, and desires. Students constructed understandings of self as reader, found pleasure in constructing personalized reading skills and strategies, and reconstructed notions of reading to assert authority and …

Employing Cueing Systems To Decode Text And Negotiate Text-Meaning In A Second Language, Timothy A. Rodriquez, Laureen Fregeau, Mary Kay Moskal, Robert Leier

ECTESOL Review

Many educators state that teaching English-Language Learners (ELLs) is just a matter of good teaching. While effective teaching is something that all children deserve, there are some differences between the approach a teacher may have to take with ELLs and with other students. One aspect of this difference is the fact that, while children go through the same stages of language development, ELLs may be at stages typically not found in other students. Based on a case study of an EL and his teacher, this article explains cueing systems and their role in literacy for ELs.

The Relationship Of Reading Self-Efficacy And Reading Achievement In Second Grade Students, Jennifer L. Hager

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Academic self-efficacy has been positively related to academic achievement in previous studies with middle school, high school, and undergraduate students. This small-scale study investigated the relationship between student reading self-efficacy and student reading achievement with second grade students in central Montana. Participating students completed a Reading Self-Efficacy Questionnaire and benchmark assessments for reading. The 2011 Dibels Next Reading End of Year Benchmark test was used to measure fluency and the Northwest Evaluation Association Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Reading for Primary grades test was used to measure the related reading skills of language and writing, foundational skills, literature and information …

An Examination Of The Key Factors That Impact The Gender Gap In Reading, Phyllis Pegram

Education Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation was designed to provide information on the factors that impact the male gender gap in reading. Disparities between the reading achievement of boys and girls have long been a concern for educators. There are many reasons boys are lagging behind in reading such as the lack of male role models, stereotyping, lack of interest in reading material, and differences in brain development in boys and girls. Peer pressure also plays a role in the reading success of boys and reading may be considered a feminine activity. Another reason boys do not perform well in reading is their great …

Examining The Effects Of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt's Read 180 Program On Reading Achievement And Self-Efficacy In Middle Schools, Amanda Michelle Cox

Education Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine if improving reading achievement through Houghton Mifflin Harcourt’s (HMH) READ 180 program impacted a student’s reading self-efficacy. Of the students participating in this study, particular attention was placed on the factors of gender, ethnicity, and the length of time students were exposed to HMH’s READ 180 program.

The setting for this research was three middle schools in upstate South Carolina. The schools sampled were from a combination of urban, suburban, and rural populations. The study’s methodology was quantitative and correlational.

When reviewing the results of the study, the research indicated that there …

The Effect Of A Self-Regulated Vocabulary Intervention On Word Knowledge, Reading Comprehension, And Self-Regulated Learning For Elementary English Language Learners, Qizhen Deng

Department of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education: Theses and Other Student Research

English language learners (ELLs) represent an increasing population in U.S. public schools. Research reports from the past two decades suggest a persistent reading underachievement for ELLs. Academic vocabulary knowledge, due to its frequent use in academic texts, contributes significantly to ELL children’s English language development, reading comprehension, and general academic achievement. However, a gap of vocabulary knowledge exists between ELLs and their mainstream peers. One potential approach to address this issue is to help ELLs become mastery independent and proactive word learners. This study examined the effect of a researcher-led self-regulated vocabulary intervention on word knowledge, reading comprehension, and self-regulated …

A Comparative Analysis Of Read 180 And Cultural Literacy On The Reading Achievement And Motivation Of African American Males In An Alternative High School, Clifton F. Nicholson

Theses and Dissertations

Nationwide, increased accountability measures require educational leaders to develop and implement instructional practices that expedite the narrowing of the achievement gap. Legislation in several states allows states to annex low-performing schools. With such pressure, school districts are looking to educational consultants to facilitate the transformation of reading instruction, thereby raising levels of academic achievement. A thorough vetting of these interventions, however, is necessary to determine if the potential benefits can be generalized to other populations.

The purpose of this quantitative, causal-comparative study was to compare the reading achievement and reading motivation of two groups of African American males in an …

Supporting Beginning Readers In Reading To Learn: A Comprehension Strategy, Lori Mckee, Gay Carr

Education Publications

This teaching tip outlines a comprehension strategy designed to support early primary students in reading to learn while learning to read. The strategy is borne of our classroom practices and is designed to support young children in reading and understanding informational texts by facilitating close interactions between text and reader. Through the steps, Read, Stop, Think, Ask, Connect, the strategy supports beginning readers in recognizing and responding to the challenges that informational texts hold for reading and comprehending. The strategy is designed to be used flexibly to account for the diversity of readers and of texts within early primary …

Postmodern Picturebooks, Gender, And Reading Difficulties : A Phenomenological Exploration Of One Boy's Experiences, Diane Marie Hamilton

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Abstract

Influences Of African American English On Cognitive Processing And Reading Comprehension For African American Adolescent Readers, Alma Renee Dawson

Theses and Dissertations

There has been a virtual wave of studies investigating influences of African American English on academic achievement. Many of these studies have taken a sociolinguistic stance citing language stratification and low perception of the language as causes for the success and failures of these students. Others have suggested that the language used in family and community settings are not congruent with the academic language in school. In this study, I investigated the influences of African American English on reading achievement from a psycholinguistic perspective. This study analyzed the oral language, linguistics, and the cognitive processing behaviors of African American students …

Teacher Selected Versus Bea Selected Early Reading Interventions, Dana Wagner, Aaron R. Deris, Melissa Coolong-Chaffin

Special Education Department Publications

No abstract provided.

Engaging Readers, Engaging Families : How Can Current Research And Thinking About Reading Engagement And Motivation Translate To The Family Context?, Erin Gordon

Graduate Student Independent Studies

This paper will provide a review of the research that pertains to reading engagement and motivation in general and offer some ways of considering the research through the lens of the family as a part of the larger educational community. The author also introduces readers to a website for families called "Engaging Readers." This website aims to empower families with resources, information, and opportunities for conversation and collaboration so that they can support their young readers with enthusiasm, confidence, and heart.

Gjr Volume 38 Number 1 Spring 2015, Lina B. Soares, Christine A. Draper

The Georgia Journal of Reading Archive

The Georgia Journal of Reading's Spring 2015 issue includes:

Message from the Editors by Dr. Christine A. Draper and Dr. Lina B. Soares (pg. 4)

President’s Page by Dr. Beth Pendergraft (pg.5) .

Middle School Literacy Coaches: Perceptions of Roles and Responsibilities by Dr. Katie Stover and Dr. Maryann Mraz (pg. 6)

An Analysis of Teachers’ Discourse and Their Perceptions Concerning the Use of Questioning and Feedback During Reading Instruction In Third-Grade Classrooms by Dr. Marie Holbein and Dr. Jennifer Farist (pg. 15)

Reading, Motivation, and the Power of Social Relationships: Learning from Middle School Students in a Title I …

The Role Of Passage Topic Knowledge In Typical And Poor Comprehenders' Recall, Chelsea E. Meenan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines the role of topic knowledge (TK) in comprehension among typical readers and those with Specifically Poor Comprehension (SPC), i.e., those who demonstrate deficits in understanding what they read despite adequate decoding. Previous studies of poor comprehension have focused on weaknesses in specific skills, such as word decoding and inferencing ability, but this dissertation examined a different factor: whether deficits in availability and use of TK underlie poor comprehension. It is well known that TK tends to facilitate comprehension among typical readers, but its interaction with working memory and word decoding is unclear, particularly among participants with deficits …

Eighth Grade Girls' Knowledge Building With Narrative Texts, Julie Smit

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

This study focused on the knowledge building work of eighth grade female avid readers who were invited to discuss their experiences with reading narrative fiction. The study examined the kinds of knowledge these students drew on and constructed and the processes they used to do so. The following research questions were asked: What kinds of experiences do eighth grade female avid readers have with narrative works? What kinds of knowledge were being built? How do these avid readers arrive at new understandings? How do these eighth grade female avid readers transform their individual and collective understandings?

Mirroring Ourselves: Teacher Educators Of Color Reading Multicultural Texts, Yonghee Suh, Kaavonia Hinton

Teaching & Learning Faculty Publications

During the last few decades, U.S. classrooms have experienced dramatic demographic changes. This article is based on the results of a larger self-study in which four teacher educators of color participated in a book club designed to discuss the pedagogical possibilities of Yoko Kawashima Watkins' "So Far from the Bamboo Grove" (1986) and its sequel, "My Brother, My Sister, and I" (1994), in their teacher education courses. Filling the gap in research, the authors focused on responding to the following questions: (1) What happens when teacher educators of color talk about a multicultural text? How do they read the multicultural …

Reading, Argumentation, And Writing: Collaboration And Development Of A Reading Comprehension Intervention For Struggling Adolescents, Martha Susan Grogan

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to develop and implement a new reading intervention with fifth grade struggling readers that included reading across multiple texts, constructing arguments from the texts, engaging in oral argumentation, and writing argumentative essays. A Convergent Mixed Methods design incorporated both quantitative and qualitative data to determine if teacher collaboration influenced the implementation of the new intervention and its subsequent effect on students' reading and writing outcomes. The intervention focused on a 10-week argumentative unit based on the American Revolution War. Group 1 teacher implemented the intervention in a whole-class setting, plus collaborated with the researcher …

Gjr Volume 37 Number 1 Spring 2014, Lina Soares, Christine Draper

The Georgia Journal of Reading Archive

The Georgia Journal of Reading's Spring 2014 issue includes:

Message from the Editors by Lina B. Soares and Christine A. Draper (pg. 4)

President’s Page by Loleta Sartin (pg. 5)

Quantum Shifts by Gerald Boyd (pg. 6)

Literacy Coaching: Providing Leadership and Support for the Next Generation of Teachers by Katie Stover and Crystal Glover (pg. 8)

Significance of Prior Knowledge Activation: A Close Look at a Bilingual Kindergarten Student’s Response to a Poem by Alma Stevenson (pg. 14)

The Effect of Explicit Instruction with Writing Conventions Among Preservice Teachers by Laurie A. Sharp (pg. 18)

Tacky and a Tambourine: …

The Early Grade Reading Assessment: Assessing Children's Acquisition Of Basic Literacy Skills In Developing Countries (Superseded Version), Australian Council For Educational Research

Assessment GEMS

The Early Grade Reading Assessment (EGRA), administered individually in about 15 minutes, measures the most basic foundation skills for literacy acquisition in the early grades. The assessment was developed by the Research Triangle Institute (RTI) through funding provided by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the World Bank (Gove & Wetterberg, 2011), in addition to resources provided by RTI. The EGRA was developed to provide a battery of assessments of basic reading skills for developing countries to monitor the status of early reading in primary schools. The assessment tool was first implemented in The Gambia and Senegal …

Two Approaches To Measuring The Effect Of The Interactive Strategies Approach-Extended On Student Reading Motivation, Lindsey M. Rosecrans

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

The Interactive Strategy Approach -Extended (ISA-X) reading intervention was provided to 3rd and 4th grade struggling readers in three school districts. A first question was to determine if students participating in the intervention showed greater reading motivation than those in a control group. A total of 103 students had been assessed for reading accuracy and comprehension as well as reading motivation using the Reading Engagement Index (REI). An experimental approach to analysis was used. January motivation scores were examined in order to compare a control group (students receiving supplementary AIS instruction) and treatment group (students receiving ISA-X intervention). Although the …