The Communicative Orientation of Language Teaching (COLT), a recently-developed observational scheme, is used to describe instructional practices in eight grade 11 core French classes. Classroom events and activities are discussed, and communicative features of verbal exchanges between teachers and students (or among students) as they occur within…

This study examines whether the concepts held by teachers are communicated to students during instruction and if students' concepts of reading reflect their teachers' concepts of reading. Implications for teacher education are discussed. (IAH)

Provides background of Glasser's Reality Therapy (RT) since its inception in l960s. Discusses incorporation of Control Theory Psychology into Reality Therapy, growth of RT during past 16 years, and development of Educator Training Center. Cites l98l establishment of annual conference and Senior Faculty examination (l98l) as evidence of continued…

Examines the value of literature response groups by gathering information about the dialogue occurring within them. Studies the content of talk, the functions of language in use, and evidence of reading comprehension. Finds that literature response groups are a good resource for helping children communicate through talk in the classroom. (MS)

A study of interaction patterns in the French immersion classroom describing specific differences in the classrooms of three second grade teachers is presented. Possible links between teaching style and classroom communication are explored, and the probable significance of teacher priorities in creating the communication patterns is discussed.…

Physical education teachers who want to be fair to all students may discover some ways teachers speak or act is discriminatory. Some items that teachers who want to treat students as fairly as possible should consider include class organization, teaching style, teacher-student interaction, teacher language, role models, and equipment. (SM)

Prior studies indicate that, given time to develop their own algorithms, primary students will process multidigit addition or subtraction problems from left to right. Gives evidence to support that idea, describes methods of getting students to invent their own algorithms, and discusses advantages of child-invented procedures. (21 references) (MDH)

The nature of the relationship between a first-year English-as-a-Second-Language teacher and her limited-English-speaking Chinese student is examined in a study of interactional patterns that affect student success. It is suggested that providing teachers with techniques for self-observation could help make them more aware of their teaching…

Describes a case study of an advanced physics class that analyzes the implications of using computerized journalizing. Reports that this technique provides a vehicle for students and teachers to make their knowledge public, builds an atmosphere for valuing the conceptual understanding of others, and mediates an ongoing dialog between the…

Analyzes discourse in a school classroom setting by comparing teacher reactions, particularly involving interruptions, with girls versus boys. Findings from a fifth-grade class show teachers interrupted girls more often than boys and also had differing conversational styles when dealing with girls versus boys. Additionally, boys were offered…

Introduces research conducted by the Santa Barbara Classroom Discourse Group, a collection of teachers, researchers, and students affiliated with the University of California, Santa Barbara. The group is concerned with understanding how everyday life in elementary and secondary classrooms is constructed by teachers and students through their…

Explores ways to share mathematics both in and out of school and uses the newspaper as a vehicle for communicating ideas about mathematics. Includes reproducible student worksheets. (MKR)

Studies the transcripts of classroom discussions taking place in a college English class. Reveals the similarities and differences in the perceptions of the students and teachers of what actually took place. Gives insight into the nature of classroom talk. Analyzes student comments produced in a student-centered discussion approach to literature…

Describes how a teacher in a program for mildly learning-disabled special education students in a large high school has incorporated into classroom discourse difficult and controversial issues surrounding gender and power. Describes the use of journal writing to improve gender-based interaction, writing focused on male-female relationships, and…

Examines the writings of Burbules and Young, two major educational theorists committed to promoting and understanding the practice of dialogue in educational contexts, focusing on Jurgen Habermas's theory of communicative action. Their works have shown the necessity for researchers to move across disciplinary boundaries and developing theories of…