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Deep Book Discussions Research findings Children construct meaning from their experiences. They are not just passive receivers of information; they cognitively interact with new information, based upon what they already know. The traditional theories of learning are teacher dominated. The teacher transmits a body of knowledge that is assumed to be true. The social constructivist perspective proposes that knowledge increases as learners interact with each other and the world. Thus, deep discussion of text is …

…the reading 4.Portfolios, which include log entries, videotaped performance, art, written reports In a constructivist classroom where social interaction is important, the teacher must create a safe environment. Students need to respect one another, to engage in conflict around ideas rather than personalities, and to encourage each other and support peers' learning. In that environment they gain confidence in themselves as readers and learners leading to our ultimate goal: creating life-long, independent readers and learners.