This report provides a rationale for making inquiry-oriented discussions a more integral part of classroom practice. It begins by identifying five features that make this type distinct from other types of discussion--focusing especially on the use of multiple texts. Then, the heart of the report explains the concepts and practices that are central to creating inquiry-oriented discussions. The report discusses these concepts and practices by depicting a framework of sorts for designing, implementing, and evaluating inquiry-oriented discussions. The framework focuses on nine elements key to making inquiry-oriented discussions more integral to classroom practice. Finally, the report provides suggestions for getting started with inquiry-oriented discussions, and addresses questions often raised by those who start these discussions in their classrooms. Contains 3 tables of data, 5 figures, 50 references, and 49 children's book references. (Author/SR)