Learning to Teach Through Discussion : The Art of Turning the Soul

This sequel to Sophie Haroutunian-Gordon's acclaimedTurning the Soul: TeachingThrough Conversation in the High Schoolpresents a case study of two people learning to teach. It shows them engaging two groups of fourth grade students in discussion about the meaning of textswhat the author calls "interpretive discussion. The two groups differ with respect to race, geographical location, and affluence. As the novice teachers learn to clarify their own questions about meaning, they become better listeners and leaders of the discussions. Eventually, they mix the students from the two classrooms, and the reader watches them converse about a text as the barriers of race and class seem to break down. In addition to the detailed analysis of the case study,Learning to Teach Through Discussion: The Art of Turning the Soulpresents philosophical, literary, and psychological foundations of interpretive discussion and describes its three phases: preparation, leading, and reflection. A tightly argued work, the book will help readers learn to engage students of all ages in text interpretation.

Sophie Haroutunian-Gordon is director, Master of Science in Education program, and professor, School of Education and Social Policy, at Northwestern University.