Abstract
This paper addresses the problem of weak reading skills in middle school students, and suggests educational approaches to improving reading comprehension in particular. The author recommends that teachers, the instructional and/or educational materials and the educational policies should be at the forefront in assisting middle school children to acquire the reading comprehension skills they need. The role of each is described in the paper. Additionally, accommodations are recommended for children with special educational needs. The paper also lists the five essential components of reading instruction, describing the importance of each one. The paper concludes by stating students also take responsibility for their reading progress by practicing regularly.

Outline:
Introduction
Review of Related Literature
Factors to increasing the reading comprehension abilities of the middle graders
The Teachers
Provision of More time for the Students
Maintenance of Research Based Curriculum and Instructional Approaches Regarding Reading Comprehension
Reference List

From the Paper
"Indeed, there have been recent studies conducted which reveal that reading and comprehension is becoming a challenging tasks for the teachers, particularly when they are handling the students from the middle grades. Students who are in the in their middle age of learning are already being taught for proper reading and comprehension. However, there are reports that show that there are increasing number of students who have gone to higher levels but "are still not fully equipped with the right reading and comprehension perspectives," thus a big task to teachers and other educational facilitators nowadays is how to increase the reading comprehension of students in the middle school (Snow, 2002)."

Tags:reading, elementary, school, dyslexia, learning, disabilities, reading, comprehension

Abstract
This paper attempts to analyze the best possible practices to improve the reading and comprehension of students, particularly elementary school students. This paper identifies the characteristics of elementary students and categorizes the different approaches used when teaching elementary students reading and comprehension.

Outline:
Introduction
Purpose of the Study
Hypothesis
Significance of the Study
Methodology
Research and Plan Solution Strategy
The Teachers
Additional Time
High-Quality Research Based Curriculum and Instruction
Phonemic Awareness
Phonics
Vocabulary
Fluency
Comprehension
Other Important Instructional Methods
Preschool and Early Literacy Opportunities
Implementation Plan and Matrix
Evaluation/Assessment Plan

From the Paper
"There has been much debate about phonics instruction. However, recent research has given phonics another look and has determined phonic instruction is needed (Hempenstall, 2002). Students that master phonics will have the decoding process in hand and can focus on building fluency and comprehension. Use direct, systematic explicit phonics instruction as a primary component of a reading program. CIEA states, "Systematic instruction includes a carefully selected set of letter-sound relationships that are organized into a logical sequence, and explicit are programs that provide teachers with specific directions for the teaching of these relationship" (Hempenstall, 2002). The issue is not whether to use phonics or whole language in reading instruction. "Rather, the issue is how phonics is used; as a primary component of a reading program, as well as when we use phonics; at the beginning reading level" (Hempenstall, 2002). "

Tags:reading, comprehension, teaching, understanding, phonetical, motivation, practice

Abstract
The paper discusses how fluency is recognized as a significant component of literacy, but is not often approached by educators as either a separate element of language comprehension or as an outcome that can be influenced through fluency training. The paper emphasizes that fluency is mistakenly believed to be the outcome of language training or a natural extension of a student's ability to read. The paper shows how improvements in fluency are necessary to improve comprehension of information, speed used to process information, and retention of information. The paper describes how in this case study, reading comprehension was examined among six students within a classroom of twenty students, and the study was done as a whole class setting for the first three weeks then a small group setting for the next three weeks. This paper explores the impact of bettering reading comprehension and fluency within a small group setting and a whole class setting. The paper compares both sets of results of this study that showed that a small group setting has a higher rate in reading comprehension as well as reading fluency.

From the Paper
"Fluency is recognized as a significant component of literacy, but is not often approached by educators as either a separate element of language comprehension or as an outcome that can be influenced through fluency training. Rather, fluency is mistakenly believed to be the outcome of language training or a natural extension of a student's ability to read. Improvements in fluency are necessary to improve comprehension of information, speed used to process information, and retention of..."

Tags:literacy, theory, fluency

Abstract
In this paper, the writer researches the subject of reading comprehension at the third grade level. The particular issue of vocabulary has been selected to further focus this study. The writer notes that students at the third grade level appear to lag in their acquisition of vocabulary, which affects their reading comprehension at this level. The writer points out that due to the varied perspectives on teaching vocabulary, it would appear that a varied approach is needed in teaching vocabulary in terms of reading comprehension. The writer maintains that context, symbols and media all have a place in teaching vocabulary, although none of these things should take precedence over the others. The paper also includes appendix, definitions and additional sources.

Outline:
Problem Statement
Proof of the Problem
Chart #1a Vocabulary
Chart#1b Word Use
Chart #1c
Word Use
Chart #1d
Reading Comprehension

Goals and Objectives
Setting
School Community
Role of the Writer
Problem Rationale

From the Paper
"Although this drop in proficiency is not as dramatic as noted across the state of Georgia, this drop should be taken as a suggestion that a problem may exist with student comprehension of the material being taught. It is interesting to note, however, that while the percentage of students meeting or exceeding the AYP requirements dropped, the percentage of students showing advanced proficiency actually increased. However, the total of 81.1% of students meeting or exceeding the AYP requirements is one that suggests that our students do not receive adequate Reading instruction. A goal of 100% reading proficiency does not seem unreasonable, if Magnolia Elementary School is going to prepare students to be competent individuals entering the business world."

Tags:student, competency, level, instruction

Abstract
The paper provides a summary of the main ideas on language and comprehension in children in the articles "Conversation: The Comprehension Connection" and "Language in Primary Classrooms". The paper finds that the authors of both articles understand the importance of the capacity to learn and understand in oral language and also emphasize the roles that educators play in ensuring that children master language and comprehension skills while they are young.

Outline:
Introduction
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The seven Functions of Speech that Pinnell discusses are Instrumental, regulatory, interactional, personal, imaginative heuristic and informative. Instrumental language refers to language that is vocalized for the purpose of satisfying needs or desire. An example of instrumental language is "I would like". Regulatory language occurs as a means to control behavior. An example of this type of language is "Go there". Interactional is defined as language designed to engage in social relationship. An example of this type of language is "Let's dance". Personal language involves the offering of personal opinions and might include a phrase such as "I have come". The imaginative function of language conveys fantasies and includes such phrases as "Let's make-believe". Heuristic language is associated with attempting to discover things. Heuristic language uses phrases such as "I wonder why". Finally information language involves presenting information about the world and his./her experiences. This type of language might include phrases such as "I have to tell you something".
"In discussing the manner in which children use these functions the primary goal of the writer is to demonstrate that children need to utilize all of the forms of language. She explains that many who work with children including teachers often ignore the imaginative use of language in children."

Tags:conversation, cognitive, strategies, communication

Abstract
The paper reveals that English Learners (ELs) are of particular concern for educators in recent years, both due to their large numbers in areas like California and their poor comparative test scores. The paper focuses on the issue of reading comprehension and explains that children who cannot understand and make deductions based on hearing or reading narrative texts have problems with comprehension in all other areas. The paper discusses how focusing on narrative text comprehension in younger ELs is therefore necessary in combating the overall problems associated with teaching English as a Foreign Language (EFL) to young learners.

From the Paper
"English Learners (ELs) are of particular concern for educators in recent years. Both their large numbers in areas like California and their poor comparative test scores are a matter or concern for teachers and administrators alike (Garcia, 2003; Jepsen & de Alth, 2005; Richards, Leafstedt, & Gerber, 2001). Though many problems exist in teaching children for whom English is a second language, reading comprehension is one of the greatest issues. Children who cannot understand and make deductions based on hearing or reading narrative texts have problems with..."

Tags:language, second, education

Abstract
The intent of the literature review is to determine whether evidence exists supporting the use of a choice of reading materials in the classroom, as a tool for promoting greater reading ability and comprehension. The writer proposes that there is a clear need for educators to adopt a more open-minded perspective regarding reading comprehension in the classroom.The paper examines how one way that administrators can motivate students is by providing them with access to a diverse selection of comprehensive reading materials. These reading materials will engage their personal interests and provide them with challenging but interesting material to review and interpret.

From the Paper
"Cheak & Wessel (2005) suggest that students who read more frequently are more likely to become strategic readers capable of processing information more contextually resulting in better reading comprehension. Researchers have identified reading motivation among the factors vital toward guiding the behavior of readers and promoting greater reading comprehension. Further, Cheak & Wessel (2005) find that individuals who are "intrinsically motivated" are more likely to persist with challenging research related material and exhibit a desire to "master" the skill of reading. Intrinsic motivation according to the researchers is essential for developing deep processing and hence learning in individuals."

Tags:process, information, behaviors, interest, curiosity

Abstract
In this article, the writer identifies the problem of reading comprehension at the third grade level for this action research study. The particular issue of vocabulary has been selected to further focus this study. The writer discusses that students at the third grade level appear to lag in their acquisition of vocabulary, which affects their reading comprehension at this level. The writer makes use of the Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests (CRCT) scores for 2004-2005 and 2005-2006 as historical proof used to identify this problem.

From the Paper
"The State of Georgia requires all third grade students to take the ITBS at the end of the school year. The ITBS is also required at the end of the fifth and eighth grade school years (Denton, 1999, p. 5). In Spring 2005, 92% of all third grade students met or exceeded the standards set by the state of Georgia for reading. This result was an increase of two percentage points over the previous year. However, in Spring 2006, only 82% of all third grade students in Georgia met or exceeded the state standard for reading."

Tags:education, reading, comp

Abstract
This paper identifies the techniques present in three articles that focus specifically on reading comprehension and how educational methods address learning disabilities in terms of reading comprehension and writing performance.

Abstract
The paper examines an article about the phonological and conceptual activation in speech comprehension and an article about the activation of offset-embedded words. The paper also examines an article about the role of prosodic boundaries in the resolution of lexical embedding in speech comprehension and an article about electro-physiological evidence for early contextual influences during spoken-word recognition. The last article is about the cascaded nature of lexical selection and integration in auditory sentence processing.

From the Paper
"This article focuses on the process of understanding as it relates to separate lexical representations of sound and meaning. The phonological and conceptual representations in language have been separated, as comprehension are connected to these different concepts separately. In explaining these concepts, the article distinguishes between word representation in the mental lexicon and the lexical candidates for recognizing utterances. When the hearer is the presented with running speech with few clear cues to word boundaries, a mechanism is needed to determine the best sequence in terms of the input. In this way the correct utterance is determined by competition."

Tags:word, auditory, processing, language