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, the authors 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 in the book are: (1) classroom scenes with dialogue in whole-class and small-group settings; (2) authentic one-on-one conferences with readers and writers at varying levels of English language proficiency; (3) reflection by the teachers before, during, and after teaching; and (4) scenarios from inclusive classrooms and descriptions of teachers' decisions which enable them to be successful learning environments. This book 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. The book is divided into the following chapters: (1) Welcome to Bailey's, a Place Where Teachers and Students Learn Together by JoAnn Portalupi; (2) Essential Elements--"You Teach Kids Who Don't Speak English?"; (3) Establishing Respectful Learning Communities; (4) Possibility and Potential in the Reading Workshop; (5) Beginning the Yearlong Conversation; (6) Explicit Reading Instruction with Emergent Readers; (7) Comprehension throughout the Day; (8) Making Content Comprehensible; (9) Teaching Kids to Talk with Each Other; (10) Creating a Safe Writing Community; (11) Yearlong Conversations about Writing; and (12) Making Home-School Connections. The book concludes with a list of references; a list of suggested readings; and an index.