Suggestions for improving the affective climate of the classroom. (Author)

Examines the criteria which must be met for an explanation given to an elementary school student to be considered satisfactory. Types of explanations described are descriptive, prescriptive, aesthetic, and analytic. Criteria include suitability to content and the explanation's relationship with the student's previous knowledge level. (AM)

This review of "The Language of Teaching" (Edwards and Furlong, 1978) suggests that its most valuable contribution is to the further development of sociolinguistic research in classrooms and to the advancement of sociological analysis of education. The book reports the author's investigation of patterns of classroom communication and language…

Outlines a four step plan (Model, Assess, Prepare, and Practice) to improve students' listening attitudes and skills, primarily through teacher modeling. (Author/SJL)

Teachers' speech is discussed abstractly in terms of teaching moves reflecting decisions about verbal actions germane to immediate context, and sample exchanges between students and teachers are given. (Author/LH)

Reports on observations of classrooms serving Native American students and offers conclusions concerning the type of classroom setting and language arts program most likely to optimize the linguistic development of the students. (DD)

An interview with Michael Stubbs, lecturer in linguistics at the University of Nottingham, regarding the sociolinguistics of the classroom. (DD)

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)

Educators must find ways to create a climate of cooperation in order to teach students the academic, social, and emotional skills they need to function successfully. Classroom meetings serve as an excellent vehicle for teaching this type of cooperation. Explores research on the effectiveness of classroom meetings, the important components of these…

Responds to an article in the same issue of this journal claiming that the Behavior Alteration Technique checklist suffers from an item desirability bias. Argues that the article's entire allegation rests on a faulty premise and on an indefensible research design which fails to test the contention. (SR)

Presents a rebuttal to P. Kearney and T. Plax's criticisms in this issue of this journal. Argues that careful analysis of the existing data shows that teachers do rely on "negative" or power assertive discipline in the classroom and that the heuristic processing account provides a sound explanation of the biased pattern observed in…

Argues that the British National Literacy Strategy (NLS) offers teachers contradictory pedagogical advice on interactive teaching. Uses case study evidence and observations of classroom interaction to show that, while teachers vary in sensitivity to dilemmas posed by NLS demands, their Literacy Hour discourse is quantitatively and qualitatively…

Similarities and differences among four examples of classroom and instructional management were studied. Effective management, though necessary, is not sufficient to bring about student achievement. Relationships exist among management and achievement variables, social and academic participation structures, instructional sequencing, and the…

Analyzes video recordings of classroom discourse in a cooperative learning program by using sociolinguistic methods to discover the actual content of a classroom dialog and how the participants infer the meaning of what is said. Concludes that, when children are left alone, they will involve themselves in the curriculum but frame it in perspective…

Examines the question of the distinctive nature of communication in Australia. Discusses nonverbal messages, gender concerns, historical influences on communication, the Australian accent, communication with indigenous persons, communication apprehension, and classroom communication. Argues that Australians' communication is relatively similar to…