Becoming One Community

Written for the general classroom teacher whose class includes English language learners (ELLs), as well as for ELL teachers working in general classrooms, this book portrays ELL students in grades 3–6 who learn essential reading and writing skills and are full members of the classroom community. Throughout the book, Kathleen and Suzanne emphasize the importance of talk. By talking during science workshop, after read-aloud, or when sharing an idea with a partner, ELLs use language authentically and, in using it, become more adept speakers, readers and writers of English.

Included are:

classroom scenes with dialogue in whole-class and small-group settings;
authentic one-on-one conferences with readers and writers at varying levels of English language proficiency;
reflection by the teachers before, during, and after teaching;
scenarios from inclusive classrooms and descriptions of teachers' decisions which enable them to be successful learning environments.

This is not a quick how-to guide. Becoming One Community provides many practical examples of diverse classrooms at work and embeds theory on English-language development throughout. It gives teachers a repertoire of ideas to meet the needs of ELL students in their classroom but ultimately trusts in the teacher's own skills to best know their students and appreciate their innate intelligence.

Sten3680

Title:Becoming One Community: Reading and Writing With English Language Learners
Author:Kathleen Fay, Suzanne Whaley
ISBN:9781571103680
Publisher:Stenhouse
Publication Date:2004
Grade Level:3-6