Bibliography of Citations from the ERIC Database
ERIC database search through September 2002

Writing Readiness: Research

ERIC Documents


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ED442140 CS217193
Title: Fostering and Eliciting Emergent Literacy Skills in Potentially English Proficient Students.
Author(s) Beers, Elizabeth A.
Pages: 68
Publication Date: May 2000
Notes: M.A. Research Project, Saint Xavier University and SkyLight Professional Development.
Available from: EDRS Price MF01/PC03 Plus Postage.
Language: English
Document Type: Dissertations/Theses--Masters Dissertations (042); Reports--Research (143)
Geographic Source: U.S.; Illinois
Journal Announcement: RIEDEC2000

This report describes an early intervention program to elicit emergent literacy skills in Potentially English Proficient kindergarten students. The school is located in a suburb of a large city near a naval base. The problem, lack of literacy readiness skills, was documented with a battery of tests given prior to entrance in kindergarten and the results of teacher and parent surveys. Analysis of probable cause indicated that there was a lack of literacy readiness skills in the Limited English Proficient population needed in order to start the formal academic kindergarten instruction. This was due to developmental factors, dysfunctional families, frequent exposure to fast paced stimuli (television), and limited exposure to pre-educational opportunities. Another factor is due to some parents not aware that literacy was a form of discourse that is developed from birth and is translated into the academic environment when the child starts school. A review of the solution of strategies suggested by other researchers, combined with an analysis of the test results, resulted in the development of age appropriate activities to foster an environment conducive to the development of literacy skills. The program included lessons involving emergent literacy activities and the use of the multiple intelligences. Post intervention data revealed an increase in emergent literacy behaviors due to a literacy environment that was conducive to the students' needs. This included mnemonics, field trips, exposure to many forms of printed materials, developmental play, and centers related to pre-literacy and literacy skills. (Contains 37 references and 10 tables of data. Appendixes contain pretest and posttest data.) (Author/RS)

Descriptors: Action Research; *Classroom Environment; *Emergent Literacy; *Instructional Effectiveness; Kindergarten; Kindergarten Children; Primary Education; *Reading Readiness; Reading Skills; *Writing Readiness; Writing Skills


ED418393 CS013168
Title: Which Phonological Skills, as Primary Skills, Can Be More Effectively Trained and Lead to Decoding Skills in Low-Skilled Kindergartners?
Author(s) Qi, Sharon; O'Connor, Rollanda
Pages: 45
Publication Date: 1998
Available from: EDRS Price MF01/PC02 Plus Postage.
Language: English
Document Type: Reports--Evaluative (142)
Geographic Source: U.S.; Pennsylvania
Journal Announcement: RIESEP1998

A study examined which phonological skills, as primary skills, can more effectively be developed and lead to decoding skills in low-skilled kindergartners: (1) segmentation/blending, or (2) rhyming/first sound identification? Low-skilled kindergartners (n=61), who scored less than 4 items correctly in 3 out of 5 measures, were randomly assigned to one of the strategy groups, receiving instruction in small groups of 3-4, for 20-30 minutes each time, twice a week, over 10 weeks. Results indicated that both groups were effective in improving target skills, as well as reading and writing readiness skills. Findings suggest that there was no significant difference between the groups and neither group demonstrated successful transfer of trained skills to the untrained skills, or sufficient generalization to reading or spelling novel words. The study supports other research using both training strategies and reminds researchers of the challenge in promoting generalization ability. (Includes 6 tables of data; contains 29 references.) (Author/CR)

Descriptors: Classroom Techniques; Comparative Analysis; *Decoding (Reading); Instructional Improvement; *Kindergarten; *Kindergarten Children; Learning Strategies; *Low Achievement; Primary Education; Reading Instruction; Reading Readiness; Reading Research; *Skill Development; Transfer of Training; Writing Readiness
Identifiers: *Phonological Processing


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