Thesis (M.S.)--Central Connecticut State University, 2003. / Thesis advisor: Helen Abadiano. " ... in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Reading." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 73-85).

Thesis (M.A.)--Rowan University, 2009. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references.

The aim of this research was to describe the effects of Think-Pair-Share strategies, used during Guided Reading lessons, on reading achievement. Think-Pair-Share is a co-operative teaching strategy that includes three components; time for thinking, time for sharing with a partner and time for each pair to share back to a larger group. The use of Think-Pair-Share unites the cognitive and social aspects of learning, promoting the development of thinking and the construction of knowledge. The strategy lends itself to inclusion within Guided Reading lessons, where the focus is on meaningful discussion around text and promotion of the use of comprehension skills and strategies to foster comprehension. The literature review describes the effectiveness of explicit comprehension strategy instruction within the context of small group discussion. Strategies that foster cooperative learning have been successful in developing interpersonal skills, cognitive skills and metacognitive awareness. There is very little research documenting the effects of the use of the Think-Pair-Share strategy. The study took place in a Year 6 classroom with two intervention groups, each containing six children. One group was reading above their chronological age and the other below. Control groups reading at these levels were also used. Three variations of Think-Pair-Share were utilised during the eight week intervention period; Predict-Pair-Share, Image-Pair-Share and Summarise-Pair-Share, and the research centred on the effects of the intervention on reading comprehension. A quasi-experimental design was employed using a pre-test, post-test format and a mix of quantitative and qualitative measures to ascertain the effects. The results confirmed the positive effects of the strategy on reading achievement, especially for those students reading above their chronological age, although an extended period of intervention may have had more significant effects on those reading below. Positive effects on aspects of oral language use, thinking, metacognitive awareness, and the development of reading comprehension strategies were noted with both of the intervention groups. Results have significance for those concerned with implementing effective literacy practice. They demonstrate the versatility of the Think-Pair-Share strategy as a tool to foster conversation, and one that can be adapted to suit the learning focus and the needs of particular groups of students.

Thesis PlanB (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Stout, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--Missouri State University, 2009. / "May 2009." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 39-42). Also available online.

Thesis (M.Ed.)--Regis University, Denver, Colo., 2009. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on Jul. 28, 2010). Includes bibliographical references.

Guided reading, as developed by Fountas and Pinnell (2001), has been a staple of elementary reading programs for the past decade. Teachers in the elementary school setting utilize this small group, tailored instruction in order to differentiate and meet the instructional needs of the students. The literature shows academic benefit for students who have special needs, such as learning disabilities, autism, and hearing impairments but consideration of academic impact has not been investigated for regular education students. The purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to investigate the academic impact of the use of content-related (Group C) and the traditional literature-based (Group L) reading materials. During the Living Systems and Life Processes unit in science, two teachers self-selected to utilized science-related materials for guided reading instruction while the other three teacher participants utilized their normal literature-based guided reading materials. The two groups were compared using an ANCOVA in this pre-test/post-test design. The dependent variables included the Reading for Application and Instruction assessment (RAI) and a Living Systems and Life Processes assessment (LSA). Further analysis compared students of different reading levels and gender. The data analyses revealed a practical but not statistical significance for students in science performance. It was discovered that below level male and female students performed better on the LSA when provided with content-related guided reading materials. As far as reading achievement is concerned, students in both groups had comparable results. The teachers provided guided reading instruction to their students with fidelity and made adjustments to their practices due to the needs of their students. The content-related teachers utilized a larger number of expository texts than the literature-based teachers. These teachers expressed the desire to continue the practice of providing the students with content-related materials.

Thesis (MEd (Curriculum Studies)--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Given that the South African government intends to improve its literacy rates by implementing Guided Reading in the primary schools, teachers are challenged to give good quality Guided Reading instruction. This study evaluates how teachers understand and implement Guided Reading in Grade 1 and 2 at three public schools in the Western Cape. It discusses how Guided Reading can be a teaching context in which children learn to construct meaning independently from text. In addition, the study gives explanation on how to implement Guided Reading into classrooms. To gather data on teachers’ current understanding and implementation of Guided Reading, a Guided Reading Self-Assessment Inventory was used (Fountas & Pinnell 1996:283-285). Data were also drawn from observations of teachers during their Guided Reading instruction. Analysis of the abovementioned quantitative and qualitative research data, indicate that teachers have a superficial understanding of Guided Reading. The new policy requirements for Guided Reading appear to fail to offer teachers a sufficient explanation of Guided Reading. Without clear explanation of Guided Reading and practical support, it is expected that South African teachers will continue with their traditional reading instruction, because they do not fully understand the concept and value of Guided Reading. This study suggests that South African teachers struggle to implement Guided Reading in their classrooms, because they do not create Guided Reading groups based on ongoing assessment and they do not have access to leveled Guided Reading books. Without addressing these basic requirements, it is unlikely that Guided Reading will be implemented with any success in South African classrooms. An overriding conclusion is that Guided Reading instruction needs further research before it can be implemented correctly on a large scale in the primary schools of South Africa. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Suid Afrikaanse regering se besluit om begeleide lees “Guided Reading” in primêre skole te implimenteer om gelettertheid te bevorder, plaas ‘n groot verantwoordelikheid op onderwysers om hierdie leesbenadering op die juiste manier aan te bied. Hierdie navorsing fokus op Graad 1- en 2- onderwysers se begrip en uitvoering van begeleide lees in drie publieke skole in die Wes-Kaap. Die studie poog om onderwysers bewus te maak dat begeleide lees ‘n raamwerk kan wees waarbinne kinders leer om met begrip te lees asook om hoe hierdie leesbenadering te implementeer. Om data in te samel oor die huidige stand van uitvoering van begeleidelees is gebruik gemaak van ‘n “Guided Reading Self-Assessment Inventory” (Fountas & Pinnell 1996:283-285). Waarnemings is ook gemaak van onderwysers se begeleide lees onderrig. Die analisering van die data dui op Suid Afrikaanse onderwysers se gebrekkige begrip van begeleide lees, tot ‘n mate as gevolg van onduidelike beleidsdokumente. Sonder duidelike instruksie en ondersteuning aan onderwysers is dit te verwagte dat hulle sal terugval op hul tradisionele onderrigmetodes, terwyl die volle waarde van begeleide lees hulle ontgaan. Die studie bevind dat onderwysers die leesbenadering nie korrek tot uitvoering kan bring nie omdat hulle nie hul kinders in groepe plaas aan die hand van deurlopende evaluering nie, maar ook weens ‘n tekort aan geskikte onderrigmateriaal. Die sukses van begeleide lees is onwaarskynlik indien hierdie tekorte nie aangespreek word nie. Die oorheersende slotsom van die studie is dat verdere navorsing in die onderrig van begeleide lees nodig is voordat dit op groot skaal ingestel kan word by alle primêre skole in Suid Afrika.

Within a Southwestern school system, deficits in early literacy skills exist as is illustrated by kindergarten students not meeting the requirements on the Phonological Awareness and Phonics Inventory (PAPI). To address this deficit in early literacy skills, the school system instituted the use of the Guided Reading Approach (GR); however, it was unknown how the kindergarten teachers were implementing GR. The purpose of this study was to investigate the experiences and challenges of kindergarten teachers who implement GR. Vygotsky's sociocultural theory of learning and constructivist theory provided the conceptual framework. Research questions explored the thoughts, attitudes, and beliefs teachers hold about GR as well as the challenges teachers face when incorporating GR. A case study methodology was used to investigate 6 kindergarten teachers' experiences with implementing GR through the use of interviews and document analysis. Analysis of data revealed that teachers believed that GR was a necessary component of teaching and increased student success. However, teachers did not have enough training, collaboration, or time to invest in GR. A professional training was developed for teachers as a result. The 3-day training will provide teachers with an overview of GR, opportunities for the participants to collaborate with colleagues, and time for the development of GR lesson plans that can immediately be transferred to the classroom. Positive social change may result by helping teachers better understand GR (components and implementation), which may result in an improved reading program, higher student performance, and information to influence others to improve reading programs.

What influences the evolution of junior school reading programmes in the classrooms of beginning teachers? Of all the classroom skills required of beginning teachers, those contributing to the implementation of an effective instructional reading programme perhaps represent some of the most complex and sophisticated challenges that will be encountered. Add to this the critical importance to young children of successfully learning to read and the very obvious picture of reading progress revealed by modern assessment practices, and the result is an aspect of teaching that can assume a position of significant focus. This is especially true for teachers working with junior school children. This study investigated the current practices of three junior school teachers during their first two years teaching, how these practices have evolved over time and identifies the factors that have influenced each teacher. Participants' stories were gathered during individual interviews to establish current practices and these were compared with a typical sample of classroom reading instruction that had been captured on video prior to the initial interviews. Each teacher also participated in an individual follow up interview during which they were able to observe the sample video excerpt and comment reflectively upon their practice in the light of their observations. This study found that developing effective junior school reading programmes generated considerable angst for these beginning teachers. While they were able to draw upon preservice preparation when articulating their intentions, the transition from the abstractions of theory to the realities of classroom practice challenged their teaching skills in this fledgling stage of their career. Despite an apparent commitment to guided reading as emphasized in pre-service literacy courses, each participant implemented round robin reading as their initial teaching strategy. In order to implement reading pedagogy as advocated within their pre-service experiences, the emergence of a professional conscience appears to have been critical. The way that teachers' understanding of literacy acquisition consolidates is greatly influenced by their practical classroom experiences and the personal capacity that they bring to the teaching role. The findings of this study support Berliner (1994) and Huberman (1989) because each of the teachers could be placed on a trajectory of teacher development. However stage related views of professional development do not fully reflect the complexity of individuals combined with the uniqueness of their contexts. The broader perspective highlighted in the work of Nias (1989) provided a framework more accommodating of the realities encountered during this study.