The effect was investigated of diadic, peer group discussion, and role-playing communication patterns on level of abstraction, length of response, and complexity of sentence structure in the speech of children from low socioeconomic environments in response to a verbal task using 2 levels of abstraction (objects and pictures of objects). Subjects…

Use of the combination of a wireless microphone, FM receiver, and stereophonic tape recorder to get a full, clear, permanent record of classroom interaction is discussed. A description of the equipment and its operation, including the simultaneous use of two or more sound tracks and of the uses of this technique is provided. Also mentioned are…

As a first step in a research effort directed toward formulation of a theory of instruction which would lead to prediction and control of classroom events, data related to teacher-pupil communication, student covert thinking, and teacher and pupil overt thinking was collected by two observers working over a 5-day period with each of nine junior…

This report describes the second phase of a continuing analysis of the recorded classroom behavior of superior teachers in transaction with pupils. The problem was to discover ho w teaching method and style affected pupil personality development and educational progress. Eight hypotheses were tested, using 21 teachers of 507 fourth and sixth…

The relationship between audience and story-teller can be the most dynamic factor in composition by young people. However, the child must know that his creative endeavors will be presented to an audience which is favorably disposed toward him and which will offer only appreciative constructive criticism. Through noting the responses of his…

The purpose of this study was to test the effectiveness of an inservice staff development program in promoting change in patterns of teacher-child interaction. The program used (1) the combined techniques of systematic analysis of teaching behavior with the Behavior Ratings and Analysis of Communication in Education (BRACE) observation system, (2)…

This phrase book is intended for American elementary school teachers who may have Indochinese refugee children in their classes. One of the best ways to create a warm and friendly atmosphere for Vietnamese students in the classroom is to recognize their language by attempting simple phrases and sentences in Vietnamese. The phrases given here…

This paper advances a conceptualization about the schooling phenomena in order to better understand the schooling process. Schooling is defined as those human interactions occurring in schools in which designated adults are acting to arrange the environment, and mindfully or mindlessly to influence the lives of children in the present and in their…

The rapidly changing language instruction picture prompts the author to discuss the concept of teacher and student motivation. The disappearing foreign language requirement, the notion of relevance, and high attrition rates are related to the current crisis. Suggestions to develop greater motivation, aimed principally at improving communication,…

Readings in this book have been selected to show how creativity and imagination can be the central focus in a literature and language arts curriculum for the elementary grades. Selections are divided into four parts, each with a different emphasis. Part 1 contains three articles which trace the development of imaginative literature and stress the…

This book is about the kinds of individual differences in students that make differential impressions on teachers, the ways that such differential impressions lead teachers to form differential attitudes and expectations regarding different students, and the ways that these differential teacher attitudes and expectations begin to affect…

While the effects of teacher expectations on learner performance have continued to be of interest to both classroom teachers and researchers, the findings of much of the research have been equivocal. Teacher expectancy statements may affect performance in three rather distinct ways: the past association value of the expectancy statement, the value…

The major interest of this study was to examine the interaction between selected ethnic cues in the aural and visual channels and the effect they have on student perception of an information source. Some 186 sixth grade students were divided equally along black and white racial lines into two groups and shown a filmstrip on drug abuse. Three…

Communicative competence often remains the aim rather than the product of language instruction. One cause may be the fact that language learners tend to need "knowledge of second language use" more than "knowledge of a second language" in their oral communication situations outside the classroom. This results in low transferability of…

Argues that talking helps college writers to formulate and clarify their ideas while they gain confidence. Cites R. Zoellner's "talk-write" model as an alternative to the segregation of speech and writing. Concludes that small tutoring sessions and full session discussions with developmental students encourage revision. (JG)