Differentiated effects of pedagogical practices on the learning of reading abilities

Abstract

This article discusses the association between teaching practices declared by teachers and their students' learning of different reading skills. Approximately 600 teachers and 17,000 2nd and 3rd grade elementary school students were investigated in this longitudinal study, using Hierarchical Linear Models. The research showed different effects of pedagogical practices according to the students' grade and the ability in question: in 2nd grade, the alphabetization style emphasizing decontextualized syllables and words showed a negative correlation with the reading code learning and the skill of locating information in a text, while silent and aloud reading showed a positive correlation with learning these skills; in 3rd grade, the emphasis in copy, dictation and calligraphy activities showed a negative correlation with the learning of all skills researched, and reading performed by teachers was the practice that most added knowledge to students among all skills.