Abstract

RAY BAZAN, José Antonio. Analysis of Demands and Mediations for the Comprehension of Explanatory Texts in Spanish Books and in Teachers' Books for the 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th Grades. RMIE [online]. 2011, vol.16, n.49, pp.415-440. ISSN 1405-6666.

This study presents an analysis of the explanatory texts in the textbooks entitled Español, lecturas and Español, actividades, which correspond to the 1993 program of studies for the 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th grades. Based on a sample of these texts, consideration is given to frequency, structural complexity, and linguistic legibility. In supplementary form, an analysis is made of the instructions for working with these texts, as presented in the teachers' books for the three grades. The purpose is to examine if a progression is seen in the demands and mediations regarding readers' comprehension of explanatory texts, and to determine if this progression indicates an intended trajectory, based on program implementation, that leads to more complex performance and the training of competent, autonomous readers. The results show that the textbooks as well as the teachers' books have important deficiencies as instruments for promoting comprehension of explanatory texts.

Keywords : reading comprehension; evaluation of texts; elementary education; textbooks; specific didactics; Mexico.