In our increasingly diverse classrooms, teachers are regularly called to teach writing and English.

In Up Close Amanda Hartman, a staff developer with the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project, models ways to confer and teach English language learners of varying writing and speaking abilities. Eleven live-from-the-classroom videos, supported by optional voice-over coaching commentary, show practical ways to:

• scaffold language and writing skills in ways that help young writers move from social language to more academic language
• introduce classroom routines that build continuity and collaboration
• implement strategies that help all students approximate written and spoken English to the best of their ability.

By modeling instruction that supports all students in writing the stories of their lives, Up Close will build your confidence in working with children who speak languages other than English.