Sylvia Read

A Model for Scaffolding Writing Instruction: IMSCI

The IMSCI model for teaching writing scaffolds the instruction so that students understand the features of a genre, see the teacher model writing a text in the target genre, participate in the creation of a text in the genre (through shared or collaborative writing), and independently write a text in the genre. This model is based on social learning theory and best practices in the instruction of English-language learners. An extended example of students writing historical fiction is provided, including images that show teacher modeling and student work.

Conceptually and Methodologically Vexing Issues in Teacher Knowledge Assessment

The purpose of this article is to describe the vexing issues that arise as researchers try to define and assess the knowledge teachers need to teach reading and writing effectively in the primary grades. Over the past several years, the authors of this article have developed and tested an assessment system of teacher knowledge under a grant titled The Primary Grade Reading & Writing Teacher Knowledge Project. The research team developed and tested 2 subscales: a traditional multiple-choice test that measures the inert or “in the head” knowledge teachers possess about reading and writing instruction, and an accompanying classroom observation instrument that measures the enacted or “classroom teaching” knowledge teachers use to teach reading and writing to young students. This article reports on 6 conceptually and methodologically vexing issues that arose as the authors developed and tested the assessment system. Issues revolved around the specific knowledge to measure, the evidence needed by various stakeholders as convincing evidence of that knowledge, potential concerns related to the use of measures of teachers’ knowledge, queries about the best way to measure that knowledge, special problems the use of classroom observations present for measuring teacher knowledge, and the predictive validity of such knowledge measures.

The Influence of Differing the Paths to an Incentive on Third-Graders' Reading Achievement and Attitudes

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of four incentive paths on third graders’ reading vocabulary and comprehension achievement and recreational and academic reading attitude. One hundred and twenty third-grade students were assigned to one of four incentive path treatment conditions. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) with Fishers least significant difference (LSD) post hoc comparisons. An effect size of .09 was calculated using a partial η2 (eta squared) statistic. Findings indicated that the four incentive path treatment conditions did not differentially impact student vocabulary, comprehension, and recreational reading. A significant difference for students’ academic reading attitudes was identified across the four incentive path treatment conditions.

An Examination of Preservice Partnerships During a Reading Methods Course: Do They Increase Perceptions of Ability?

This quantitative study examined the effectiveness of pairing preservice teachers with young readers during a 9-week reading methods course to participate together in reading-related activities and partner journaling. It was hypothesized that these preservice partnerships would strengthen preservice teacher perceptions about their ability to perform reading instructional tasks. Findings revealed that these one-on-one partnerships did not result in statistically significant higher scores on a self-perception scale when compared with scores of preservice teachers who did not engage in these partnering experiences. Suggestions are made to assist preservice teachers make stronger connections between hands-on, authentic experiences and their ability to perform tasks required of reading teachers.