INTRODUCTION:

Michigan Reading Association compiled learning and thinking strategies in order to enhance effective content area decision making preactices by both classroom teachers and students.  The Content Area Bookmarks will assist classroom teachers by illustrating how to put current research into instructional practice.  Researchers and practitioners alike agree these strategies:

1.  Promote students' thinking and cognition.

2.  Facilitate opportunities for cooperative learning.

3.  Develop risk taking environments.

4.  Enlighten social interaction sessions.

5.  Provide varied assessment and evaluation procedures.  

As each strategy is introduced a description has been given as to: What is it?  Why use it?  and How to do it.  Further, several of the Bookmarks include an example of how the described strategy has been incorporated into instructional lessons.