In classrooms that operate as learning communities, the social and learning purposes advance together through all participants being involved and engaged in building knowledge. This book demonstrates a new way of seeing and managing classrooms through:

an integration of what''s best in learning and what''s best in the social life of classrooms

a vision of the role of the teacher that is more creative and more related to the commitments of teachers

a more connected view of schools in contrast to the mechanistic view that currently dominates

an answer to the short-term performance pressures of politicians - better performance.

The practice and vision of classrooms that operate as learning communities is presented clearly and encourages teachers to take steps towards building a more effective classroom with the aspects of learning communities they choose.