This work presents and analyzes the DNA of productive discussions--teacher-guided, small-group, and student-driven. It provides an in-depth exploration of questioning as the beating heart of thoughtful discussions as important components of classroom instruction that work in tandem to push learning forward and move students from passive participants to active meaning-makers.

1. Quality questioning : the heart of thoughtful discussion -- 2. The DNA of productive discussion : social, cognitive, and use-of-knowledge skills and companion dispositions -- 3. Teacher-guided discussion : teachers as coaches during five stages of discussion -- 4. Structured small-group discussion : using protocols to scaffold skills for discussion -- 5. Student-driven discussion : putting students in the driver's seat -- 6. Questioning for discussion : creating your own designs.