Talk Among the Dragonflies and Dalmations: An Investigation of Communicative Competence in a Pre-Kindergarten Classroom: A Dissertation

Author

Lauren Foley Goldberg, Lesley University

Date of Award

2007

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

PHD - Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Education

Abstract

A year-long ethnographic study of young children's language was conducted in a pre-kindergarten classroom. The investigation focused on the teachers' direct instruction and the children's emerging communicative competence in the rules and structure of group conversation. The class "Morning Meeting" was recorded once or twice a week for the entire year; a subset of these recordings formed the data set for the analysis. Of particular interest were communication behaviors that emphasized the growth of a sense of membership and community within the group as well as evidence that the children had learned conventions for turn-taking, topic maintenance, and solidarity.

Language

English

Number of Pages

292

Embargo Period

6-6-2017

Recommended Citation

Goldberg, Lauren Foley, "Talk Among the Dragonflies and Dalmations: An Investigation of Communicative Competence in a Pre-Kindergarten Classroom: A Dissertation" (2007). Educational Studies Dissertations. 51.
https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/education_dissertations/51