A PUBLICATION OF THE FLORIDA READING ASSOCIATION

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Volume 42, No. 4, Summer 2006

Table of Contents

 Articles

When to Say Ain't ............................................................................................................. 6

     Melinda Miller and Betty Higgins
To correct or not to correct? That is the question many teachers must answer in regard to students' oral language usage. This article will provide insights to help teachers address this dilemma.

 Shhh! We're Reading! Creating a Classroom of Engaged Independent Readers......... 18

     Nancy Allison
When students are given time to read independently in self-selected texts, they can make tremendous gains -- IF they are really reading. Four specific actions designed to increase engagement can help make your classroom one where students can't wait for reading time.

Fluency: Past and Present................................................................................................. 21

     Melise Bunker
 Fluency has regained status as an essential component of reading instruction. Further understanding of fluency instruction in the classroom is gained through the examination of the historical and current practice of teaching fluency to readers.

 American Dilemma: Reading Education and National Defense..................................... 28

     Milton Parker
In this essay, the author argues that the time is right for educators, politicians, and the general public to acknowledge and mitigate societal influences that inhibit children's ability to reach their full potential.

What Florida Reading Specialists Think: Interviews with Reading Professionals.......... 32

     Zandra H. Stino
Graduate students conducted interviews with reading educators in Florida to further understanding of their role and the effective teaching of reading.

The Cats and the Hatters: A Summer Literacy Program for Students At-Risk............. 37

     Mercedes Tichenor, Glenda Taylor, Kathy Piechura, and Elizabeth Heins
A study of a summer literacy program at a professional development school (PDS) for at risk rising first graders students from a high poverty neighborhood indicated the program to be effective in increasing literacy.

 Features and Information

 Editor's Message......................................................................................................... 4

President’s Message..................................................................................................... 5

Feature: Interview with John Archambualt

Nile Stanley ....................................................................................................... 40

Feature: Poetry Break!

Maximilian (Max) Carrington Curtis................................................................. 44

IRA Application Form...................................................................................................46

Directory of Publishers............................................................................................... 47

FRA Board of Directors, Staff, and Local Council Presidents................................... 49

List of Honor Councils................................................................................................ 51

FRA Application Form................................................................................................ 52