The purpose of this study was to find out how pupils reached agreement and handled disagreement in science group discourse. Fifth-grade students were observed in small groups and participated in face-to-face interviews. Pupils' methods of reaching agreement--including using social psychological means--and ways of addressing disagreement--including using plausible persuasion, compromising, or showing indifference--are described. Problems with trying to analyze small group agreement and disagreement in terms of Piagetian and Vygotskian learning theories are also discussed. Contains 18 references. (WRM)