This study investigated the dynamics of complex interactions within inquiry-based (IB) discussions by visualizing patterns using social network analysis. Researchers explored network measures when learners participated in inquiry-based discussions with Practical Inquiry Model (PIM) and non-PIM questions while playing the weekly moderator's role.…

Establishing a communication-rich classroom can be difficult. This article describes the process and findings of a practitioner action research study addressing the question of how teachers can interact with their students while they are working in groups to encourage and enhance student-to-student communication. Recommended research-based teacher…

Describes structured discovery approach to inquiry teaching which encourages the teacher to select instructional objectives, content, and questions to be answered. The focus is on individual and group activities. A brief outline using this approach to analyze Adolf Hitler is presented. (KC)

Biographies can be used for the enrichment of secondary education social studies classes. Two strategies are presented for helping students to understand the nature, appeal, limitations, and applications of biographies in the social studies. (CJ)

Presents a class discussion about using the slope of the secant line through the vertex and the point on the parabola occurring one unit to the right as the slope of the parabola. (MKR)

A procedure is outlined by which all students, not just one spokesman, report back to the class on small group projects, thus increasing participation in class discussions. (SJL)

Describes a program which was designed to improve the reading skills and broaden the reading interests of fifth grade students. Critical and higher-level thinking skills were stressed in the program, which included a reading list divided by genre and such activities as group discussions and a contest. (MES)

Ten children's books portraying positive images of learning disabled children are listed and procedures for facilitating discussion of the books with the entire class are outlined. (CL)

Suggests that the short story, because of its brevity and simplicity of construction, is often more suitable than the novel for classroom discussion. (HOD)

Describes a group project from a course on rural, countercultural communitarians' attempts to create utopian communities. Explains that the project gives students the opportunity to integrate material from a variety of sources and to apply it to a group term paper. Suggests that the project utilizes experiential methods for learning abstract…

This article discusses the National Issues Forum (NIF), a national, nonpartisan program designed to encourage citizen discussion of important public issues. The programs try to recreate the town meeting concept of reaching consensus on public issues. Short workbooks are available on two reading levels for issues such as the superpowers, crime,…

An instructional unit designed to help students accept frustration, tolerate frustrating experiences, and build coping resources is described. The unit was taught to emotionally disturbed 6th and 7th graders and included five guided discussions over two weeks. Observation of student reactions to frustration before and after instruction suggested…

Discusses transitions to and from specific activities (i.e., free choice time, group activities, clean-up time, outside play, meals, naps, and using bathrooms) as well as children's arrivals and departures from the preschool or day care center. (CB)

The author presents a series of eight lessons designed to teach the skill of communicating ideas through discussion. The importance of an accepting atmosphere is emphasized, along with the teacher's role as a model. (CL)

Describes and gives sample of using Guided Design as an instructional strategy for English-as-a-second-language classes with two main objectives: (1) teaching subject matter, and (2) teaching decision-making skills. Goals achieved include using class time for speaking, freeing the teacher to observe individual student errors, and planning later…