#7 | Children who engage in daily discussions about what they read are more likely to become critical readers and learners.

The social nature of learning implies that, because each context is different, participants must always evaluate what to say, when and how, consider options, and make choices.

Using discussion to connect literature and other texts with a variety of experiences and the prior knowledge of the reader maximizes students' learning, given that they critically discuss topics worth talking about. This interactive approach is based on the knowledge that, on the one hand, simply acquiring information like names and dates does not amount to significant learning. On the other hand, discussion among students, at any age, in which they hear different points of view and collaborate to solve problems, serves as a catalyst for the development of logical reasoning skills.

Traditionally, discussion in classrooms has not be common. As students advance through the grades, opportunities for discussion in the classroom appear to decrease. Questions, rethinking, and refined understandings result when students discuss their understandings of themes or concepts that appear in text

Given the importance of discussion for effective learning, effective teaching involves providing students with ample opportunities to engage in daily discussions with one another. Small group and peer-to-peer interaction are valuable in promoting acadernic and social learning. Children who rely on each other for help learn more than children who work alone. Instruction can be organized in a variety of ways to facilitate discussion. One way is to form a cooperative learning group of students with varying abilities to read, discuss, or respond to a piece of text. Another way is to pair students with a "buddy" to interact and problem solve. The more students work in groups or pairs, the more productive their discussions will become, especially as their social skills become more refined.