The purpose of this study was to develop a critical reading program geared toward fostering
children\'s essay writing abilities, and to examine its impact on children\'s essay writing abilities.
For this purpose, the subjects in this study were 30 students who were in the sixth grade in
S elementary school located in Dobong-gu, Seoul. To test the validity and effect of the program,
pre-tests and post-tests were carried out. After their essay writing abilities were assessed in the
pre-test, a critical reading program was provided, the post-test conducted, and the data
gathered.
The application of the critical reading program had positive effects on the students\' essay
writing abilities: understanding of problems, logical thinking, and expression skills. Thus, this
program was effective in improving the students\' essay writing abilities, and is practical in its
application to the classroom.
In conclusion, this study is meaningful in that it attempted to present a critical reading
model for instruction by adding writer and reader factors to existing text-centered critical
reading. It provides essay writing education using the whole language concept involving critical
reading, discussion, the asserting of one\'s own opinions, and listening skills.