In contrast to a teacher-dominated literature classroom where authority rests with the one who has the power to grade, a classroom dedicated to cultivating the creative process breaks down the traditional hierarchies (such as theory and practice, text and reader, and organization and improvisation) and concentrates on the needs of the individual…

Examines how lower-track science students understand shifts in standard classroom discourse patterns. Finds that students insert struggles for social status into classroom arguments about scientific ideas, making it difficult to separate in a group discussion whether evidence or the social politics of the class convinces students to accept an…

Examines how two dimensions of a community of urban science student learners--social-organizational and intellectual-thematic--evolved and influenced each other. Discusses the reasons why the teacher and student succeeded in developing a functional community but did not quite succeed in developing shared understandings in science. Contains 34…