Describes writing conferences as a productive supplement to classroom teaching, and examines teacher behavior and the language they employ during these conferences. Supports the idea that current findings in sociolinguistics could better inform classroom practices and increase awareness and understanding of the impact of "teacher talk." Contains…

Describes skills, relationships, and beliefs disclosed by six voluntary teacher participants in a peer coaching workshop. Participants had difficulty with all the communication and agenda skills they were trained in. They asked few open-ended questions, paraphrased infrequently, and used few facilitative probes. Instead, they used evaluation,…

Compares effects of negative feedback statements and specific directives in music-performance instruction. Indicates that subjects' attitudes and performance achievements were unaffected by type of comment: all subjects expressed positive attitudes about the experience, and the time required to reach the learning goal was unaffected by type of…

According to responses from 145 secondary agriculture teachers and 2,400 students, students thought instructional clarity increased when teachers actively involved them. Systematic differences between teachers' and students' perceptions (especially teachers rating themselves more highly than students did) indicate a need for teachers to reflect on…

Examines relationships between 418 elementary school teachers' theoretical beliefs toward reading instruction and their attitudes about pupil control. Uses the Theoretical Orientation to Reading Profile (TORP) and the Pupil Control Ideology Form (PCI) for data collection. Finds as teachers' scores moved toward the whole language end of the TORP…

Investigated the teaching behaviors of 11 teacher educators working with early childhood education student teachers. Participants provided course syllabi and written descriptions of activities and assignments, then completed interviews. Most instructors philosophically aligned with constructivist epistemology, though few discussed constructivist…

Explored the construct of extra-role behavior in schools, examining relationships between extra-role behavior and job satisfaction, self-efficacy, and collective efficacy. Surveys of elementary teachers highlighted three facets of extra-role behavior corresponding to three levels of the school system (student, team, and organization). There were…

Reviews findings of an investigation in which four European-American teachers assessed fifth- and sixth-grade students' written texts. Replicates the study using African-American teachers assessing the same texts. Finds that the teachers held consistently different views about assessment. Presents the voices of the African-American teachers, who…

Examines the effects of a school-wide intervention plan on the social behavior of students in major transition settings. Results show that the plan resulted in increased active supervision and precorrection by staff and concomitant reductions in student problem behavior in transition spaces (entering school, cafeteria, exiting school). (EMK)

Argues that teachers who write are in a better position to guide students, provide useful feedback, and show the real value of writing. Discusses remembering the agony, sharing the ecstasy, giving authentic feedback, growing a community of writers, and remembering the reason people bother to write at all. (SR)

Helps physical educators objectively assess their interaction patterns with students and make necessary changes. After videotaping their class, they can tabulate interactions with students, examining such issues as whether they are leaving out certain children, whether management drives instruction, whether certain students repeatedly demand…

Articulates qualities that distinguish those who teach more than competently. Describes circumstances, experiences, and structures that are likely to promote development of these qualities in early-career teachers. Identifies issues that administrators and senior faculty confront to provide such experiences for junior faculty members. (RS)

Reviews the basic tenets of educator Haim Ginnot's theories about teacher behavior and classroom communication as the most influential element that contributes to children's behavior in the classroom, as teachers consistently demonstrate and model positive communication, behaviors, and relationships. Explains several of Ginnot's essential ideas…

Describes one teacher's experience teaching writing as she gets involved in writing along with her students. Discusses how she uses her own writing as examples of the writing process for the students. Explores experiences teaching and writing fiction. (SG)

Reprints an article originally published in 1951. Argues that the group method should not be foisted on young teachers as the only way to teach. Notes that the group method requires a great deal of preparation and much teacher direction. Suggests that smart teachers will continue to use a variety of teaching methods. (RS)