Explores the potential of teacher research for informing theory. Contends that arguments about the perspectives of researchers and teachers are founded upon positivistic assumptions undergirding particular views of research as well as definitions of researcher and teacher. Encourages collaborative researchers to examine the philosophical bases of…

Describes in storytelling fashion a teacher's reflections on herself, the teaching process, the children as learners and her relationship to them, the course of her reflections, and the growing pleasure she took in them. (SR)

Raises the issue of the separation existing between the world of teacher and the world of educational research. Argues that teachers and academic researchers live in two parallel universes, both of which are committed to the improvement of education and the well-being of children, but only one of which is privileged as a source of knowledge about…

Argues that good action research carefully utilizes action and reflection because knowledge is acquired through a reciprocity between thought and action. (SRT)

Attempts to strengthen the connection between theory and practice in the inquiry discussion. Presents three curricular perspectives prevalent today and situates inquiry curriculum among these perspectives. Addresses several critiques of inquiry curriculum. Provides scenarios and identifies the beliefs underlying these opposing perspectives in an…

Explicates two opposing conceptions of knowledge. Explores the views of knowledge embedded in three major models of writing and their associated implications for classroom instruction in relation to the two major epistemological positions. Discusses the significance of knowing about knowledge and knowing, particularly with regard to the teaching…

Asks herself 5 provocative questions so that the author can better align her teaching practices with her beliefs. Addresses thoroughly each question. Concludes that her current challenge is to continually examine how her teaching practices align with her vision of the future. (SG)

Explores the different perspectives classroom teachers and researchers bring to any collaboration, noting that the relationship between the two should be symbiotic and that the problems of practice should inform the questions that researchers ask, while the issues addressed in research should help teachers obtain a clearer perspective on teaching.…

Describes the author's experiences as a researcher working with a second grade teacher to implement change in the literacy curriculum, arguing that educational researchers need to engage in collaborative pedagogy with classroom teachers to develop a "theory of use." (HTH)

Defines the value of classroom research in terms of three paradoxes: (1) it steps back by taking an intimate look; (2) it yields a holistic view but also reveals the dynamics of its parts; and (3) it is a unique whole and a part of inquiry into language and learning. (RS)

Describes the experiences of one recipient of a teacher researcher grant from the National Council of Teachers of English as her research began to inform her teaching and her teaching influenced her research. (SRT)

Calls for resolution of the ambiguities and contradictions of the language and the practices of whole language. Attempts to elucidate conflicting conceptions and practices among whole-language advocates and thereby make whole language even stronger. (MG)

Asserts that becoming a teacher-researcher is one way to get better at teaching. Shows that teacher research is not as daunting as it may first appear. Examines three myths and three opposing realities regarding teacher research. (PRA)

Offers descriptions of classroom experiences that support the theories behind writing as a process, a holistic approach to language acquisition, and Piagetian "egocentric" thinking. (SRT)

Reviews the major theoretical statements regarding the contribution of literature to reading development, noting that they fall into two interwoven strands: the notion of learning to read through literature, and learning to read literature. Evaluates the empirical evidence supporting the claim that literature plays an important role in learning to…