Describes how a teacher used planned observations of classroom interactions to lead to role playing, class discussion, and changes in seating arrangements. The strategies resulted in marked improvements in classroom interactions and in academic work. (SKC)

A high school teacher tells how student talk became an integral part of her teaching program. She devised oral language activities, including reading aloud, debate, and small group discussions. She also rearranged the classroom to encourage discussion. Encouraging classroom talk led to improved writing skills. (SKC)

Discusses ways in which talk during writing and group discussion can help children's writing, including (1) helping teachers learn to listen, (2) teaching children to elaborate and clarify, (3) giving children experience with an audience and reasons for writing, (4) helping children gather ideas and assistance, and (5) teaching children to be…

Suggests that observations of young children's story constructions can be used to help teachers provide appropriate oral language experiences in classroom programs for beginning readers and writers. (SKC)

Points out that teachers who understand that learning to read and write is a complex social as well as cognitive process will structure their classrooms for collaboration and meaningful reading and writing. Claims they will also examine why they vary their teaching practices for different groups of children. (SKC)