What is Balanced Literacy Instruction?
Best Teaching Practices & Classroom Techniques in Literacy Programs
Dec 11, 2008
Balanced literacy programs are a balance of whole language and phonics instruction that integrate all aspects of literacy, including reading, vocabulary, writing, speaking, spelling, and grammar. While implementation varies from district to district and state to state, these eight components are found in one form or another across the world.
Balanced Literacy Programs & Read Aloud: Whole Group Instruction
Teachers read to students, normally in a full class format, from texts that they would not be able to read on their own.
Balanced Literacy Instruction & Shared Reading: Whole or Small Group/Individual Instruction
To help readers learn new words, teachers read along with students in shared reading. In these lessons, students read familiar, predictable books along with the teacher.
Balanced Literacy Programs & Guided Reading: Small Group/Individual Instruction
Continuing with the idea of learning in context, teachers conduct guided reading sessions in which they work with small homogeneous groups of students. Students read on their instructional level, while the teacher is there to reinforce skills and guide the group through questioning and discussion of the text.
Balanced Literacy Instruction & Independent Reading: Independent Practice
Independent Reading allows students to read on a level comfortable for them. Independent reading also helps to foster a love for reading, as students choose their own texts and have a chance to deepen comprehension and work on fluency. Teachers who give students time to develop close relationships with books show students that reading is a priority.
Balanced Literacy Programs & Write Aloud: Whole Group Instruction
Writing is modeled for students by teachers in write-aloud or modeled writing time.
Balanced Literacy Instruction & Shared Writing: Whole or Small Group Instruction
Working collaboratively, teachers and students compose written accounts in a shared writing session, so that strategies can be modeled and explained and specific writing skills can be introduced.
Balanced Literacy Programs & Guided Writing: Small Group or Individual Instruction
In guided writing, students creating their own writing, with the teacher as guide. Activities associated with guided writing take place in small homogeneous groups of students. Teachers serve as mentors as students go through the process.
Balanced Literacy Instruction & Independent Writing: Independent Practice
Integral to the process is independent writing, which provides students with the consistent opportunity to apply and practice the skills already introduced and to cultivate their love of and comfort with writing on their own level.
Teachers and principals know the schedule is already overburdened. That doesn't mean all components of balanced literacy instruction have to be done every single day. Teaching deeply via each type of instruction per week is generally expected.
Balancing these forms of instruction is tricky in an already crowded schedule. It is important to remember that all parts of the balanced literacy model – including the independent work – is essential to student learning.
