Investigates the nature of small-group social interactions in the mediation of children's science learning. Reports that the teacher mediated the children's small-group science learning through discourse that negotiated children's status, actions, and meaning, as well as through discourse that established the normative structure of the small…

"Altering the normal flow" is the statement in Larry Lezotte's article (in same issue) that best describes changes in Illinois school district. Although district was well run when new superintendent took over, its internal change process geared toward learning for all proved more challenging than cooperating to pass a tax referendum.…

Describes how the introduction of cooperative learning principles improved peer interaction during group work among preservice teachers in an undergraduate content area reading course. (SR)

Treatment programs for delinquent youth often develop negative youth subcultures that sabotage the formal treatment efforts of adults. Students exercising peer authority can manufacture and then escalate minor incidents into major confrontations. Staff who are unaware of the dynamics of the conflict can inadvertently be lured into the battle. (JPS)

Examines interracial group dynamics from the perspective of coalitions that are formed by the racial identity attitudes of group members, not only by their racial categorization. A case study illustrating coalitions that were formed between group members from the same and different racial groups is provided. (Author)

Herbert Thelen's models of group inquiry and cooperative learning were used to teach the nursing process in a group clinical setting. The strategy proved efficient and effective, and students benefited by learning group process and having reduced stress. (JOW)

Reports on an attempt to organize a collaborative writing project with two teams of graduate students. Concludes that despite the professional level of the students, they, like undergraduates, need structure and guidance throughout the collaborative process, including journal checks, conferences, and self- and group-assessment tools. (TB)

An effective approach to camp staff orientation involves veteran staff leading orientation groups for new staff. In addition to familiarizing staff members with the camp, group leaders are responsible for making members feel at ease through activities. Details a highly successful five-day orientation led by veteran staff. (LP)

Applies the social relations model (SRM), designed to analyze nonindependent data, as a solution for studying the ways in which group members interrelate and influence one another that avoids some of the data analysis problems indigenous to group psychotherapy research. Discusses examples of applications of SRM to previously inaccessible research…

Tracked social networks and friendships over a 3-week period for 132 fourth graders and seventh-graders. Found that, when loose criteria for stability were employed, high stability was found in friendships and social group membership. However, when stringent criteria were employed, only modest social relationship stability was observed. (MDM)

Explored relationship between group members' (n=61) interpersonal problems and their perception of group climate. Found that group members who perceived themselves as too dominant experienced group climate as more avoiding and tense. Those who perceived themselves as too cold and as not having problems with assertiveness perceived group climate as…

Explains ways to resolve training session conflicts in four contexts: supervisor/employee teams, trainee interaction during breaks, group work, and trainer/trainee interaction. (SK)

Analyzes the communication training received by over 4,000 workers as part of an effort to implement a team concept production system at a General Motors plant. Presents an overview of the team concept training. Discusses five barriers to effective training, four successful instructional methods, and implications for business communication. (RS)

"Islands of Healing" outlines the history and theoretical foundations of adventure-based counseling, explains group processes during the "adventure wave" process, describes detailed applications of adventure-based counseling in schools and treatment centers and with court-referred youth, and provides references and resource materials. (SV)

Describes methods a school librarian can follow to conduct a workshop on social justice for teachers. A workshop overview is presented, steps for planning the workshop are outlined, small group dynamics are explained, suggestions for conducting the workshop are given, and a workshop evaluation form is included. (LRW)