Purpose: This study aims to identify socioconstructivist communication patterns used by physical education teachers and their evolution after participating in a training intervention. Method: The authors analyzed 812 units (messages containing constructivist discursive strategies) employed by two physical education teachers in two teaching modules…

This paper provides a description and rationale for a performance assessment of a teaching practice--leading a classroom discussion (LCD)--included in the ETS® National Observational Teaching Examination (NOTE) assessment series. In this assessment, candidates interact with a small class of virtual students represented by avatars in a…

This report describes and provides research and scholarly support for a core practice of teaching--eliciting student thinking (EST)--that is the target for a performance assessment contributing one component of the "ETS"® National Observational Teaching Examination (NOTE) assessment series. The purpose of this report is to review the…

This report reviews the scholarly and research evidence supporting the construct labeled modeling and explaining content (MEC), which is measured via a performance assessment in the "ETS"® National Observational Teaching Examination (NOTE) assessment series. This construct involves practices at the heart of teaching that deal with how…

Discusses three types of student-constructed responses that use expressive rather than receptive modes of communication. These types are constructing questions given some information, constructing word problems for peers, and asking questions related to a problem. (MKR)

This article highlights several factors that contribute to the complexity of tasks facing teachers and students as they interact to construct everyday classroom teaching-learning events. Also explored are ways in which expectations are signaled verbally or nonverbally and consequences that follow students' attempts to read teachers' cues. (CB)

The ideas in this mini-brochure are intended for teachers interested in creating opportunities for students to pose questions during literature-based discussions. The brochure suggests that a child-centered approach to questioning is a highly motivating way to conduct discussions because students of all reading abilities can participate. The…

States that talk in interaction is the prevailing form of instructional activity. Claims that an understanding of the interactional practices of reading and writing is necessary. Examines the practice of speaker turn design. Concludes by showing how this form of organization can be used in diagnosing problems that students encounter in solving…

Explains that teachers must understand that discussion is not a simple collection of listening and speaking skills but a dynamic event that requires children to orchestrate a number of language skills. Offers suggestions for improving discussions. (FL)

This adaptation of the "Three Little Pigs" story is suitable for performance in elementary grades, especially around Halloween. The story comes with step-by-step directions for how to dramatize the action for maximum audience participation and response and with suggestions for optional learning activities that can be used with the story.…

Examines elementary-school students' perceptions of teacher praise in relation to their classroom's social and academic status, participation in class discussions, and ethnicity. (MP)

Recent learning theories and the suggested importance of 'interactive' approaches in national initiatives, (NLS, NNS) led to an ESRC-funded action research project involving the University of Exeter and teachers in three schools--'Using Talk to Activate Learners' Knowledge' (TALK). This investigated how 'interactive' whole class teaching was and…

A study examined the relationship between communication apprehension (CA) and academic achievement among elementary school students and whether that relationship was different for males and females. Subjects were 144 (74 females, 70 males) students enrolled in grades 2-5 at a laboratory school on the campus of a midwestern university. Academic…

Briefly discusses factors involved in conceptualizing teaching and learning as linguistic processes, providing an overview of methodological approaches emerging in the literature and presenting selective findings on the nature of teaching and learning processes from both teachers' and students' perspectives. (MP)

The role of teacher-talk in Botswana primary schools is discussed in view of evidence that pupils' contributions are outweighed by those of their teachers. The development of a genuinely bilingual model of education is advocated in which both teachers and pupils make full use of their linguistic resources. (17 references) (Author/LB)