The Open University ’ s repository of research publications and other research outputs Talking and thinking together at Key Stage

In this paper we describe an innovative approach to promoting effective classroom-based group work and the development of children’s speaking and listening at Key Stage 1. This approach, known as Thinking Together, was initially developed for use with Key Stage 2 children. The work reported here explains how this approach has now been applied to the teaching of speaking and listening at Key Stage 1. The approach is founded on contemporary socio-cultural theory and research. At the heart of the Thinking Together approach is a concern to help children build and develop their knowledge and understanding together, through enabling them to practise and develop ways of reasoning with language.