Gery Bohning
1981
Citations
0
Influential Citations
3
Citations
Journal
Reading Horizons
Abstract
The oral sharing of a personal experience or an obj ect with a peer audience is often a regular part of a student’s school day. This sharing time is usually called stow-and-tell in the elementary grades and personal reporting or monologuing in the intermediate and upper grades. SHOW-AND-TELL: ASSESSING ORAL LANGUAGE ABILITIES Gery Bohning SCHOOL OF EDUCATION, BARRY COLLEGE, MIAMI, FLORIDA The oral sharing of a personal experience or an obj ect with a peer audience is often a regular part of a student's school day. This sharing time is usually called stow-and-tell in the elementary grades and personal reporting or monologuing in the intermediate and upper grades. Show-and-tell is important as a school learning activity. The oral language and thinking abilities that are developed during show-and-tell enhance success in reading. Pilon (1978) views the development of oral language abilities as critically important for success in reading. Moffett and Wagner (1976) point out that formulating and presenting ideas during show-and-tell provide students with necessary practice to help build continuity of thought, sequencing of information, and clarification and extension of concepts--all of which are essential for success in reading. In addition to improving their communication skills and organizing their thoughts during show-and-tell activities, students learn how to put themselves at ease before an audience. Show-and-tell is one oral language activity which helps prepare students to meet the more complex and demanding tasks of making school announcements, giving reports, narrating exhibit explanations and slide shows, and presenting stories, plays, and panels. More than merely a pleasant and interesting time for sharing, show-and-tell can be used as a diagnostic setting to informally assess a student's oral language abili ties. To do so requires structure, of which one kind can be provided through a focus on the skills of language elaboration. It is elaboration before a peer audience which is the intent of show-and-tell. Elaboration is defined by Moffett and Wagner (1976, p. 6) as " ... the flowering of an idea ... the unfolding of a given ... " and " ... a tool for finding out fully what one means." The demands of show-and-tell require that the speaker elaborate to: 1) communicate an ex-