Some Current Perspectives on Balanced Literacy

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Some Current Perspectives on Balanced Literacy

• EDUC 4214
• October 24, 2007

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IRA, 1999

• There is no single method or single combination
  of methods that can successfully teach all
  children to read. Therefore, teachers must have
  strong knowledge of multiple methods for teaching
  reading and a strong knowledge of the children in
  their care so that they can create the
  appropriate balance of methods needed for the
  children they teach.

3
Ontario, 2004 Literacy for Learning The Report
of the Expert Panel on Literacy, Grades 4-6

• The junior/intermediate language arts program
  should be made up of a balance of instructional
  approaches to the language arts. Most of these
  approaches can be implemented across the
  curriculum to extend beyond reading and writing
  time blocks. In addition, the use of the
  instructional approaches in content areas such as
  math and science encourage authentic and
  meaningful tasks and applications for all
  students.. (contd on next slide)

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Ontario, 2004 contd

• The components of the balanced literacy program
  include instructional strategies in reading and
  writing as well as word and vocabulary building
  exercises. Listening and speaking are built into
  all of the strategies.

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Regie Routman, 2000

• Effective teaching draws on current research
  and practice and depends on the teacher as
  professional to provide the learners the balance
  of skills, strategies, materials, and social and
  emotional support they need. Instructing,
  demonstrating, discussing, coaching, discovering,
  and evaluating are all part of this model. In
  addition, teaching for understanding is integral
  to everything we do, beginning with our youngest
  learners. The essential question becomes, What
  needs to be done to ensure that children become
  literate? (p.15)

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Fountas Pinnell, 2001

• Effective instruction in language, literature,
  and the content areas begins with thoughtful,
  artful organization and planning (This)
  three-block structured framework will help you
  conceptualize the language arts curriculum, think
  about students literacy learning, plan and
  organize instruction, and provide a high level of
  productivity and engagement. The framework is
  flexible. There are many possibilities for
  variation in the content studied, the texts,
  the configuration of students (individuals, small
  groups, the whole class), and the daily time
  frames
• A structured framework has several advantages
• 
  (p. 13-14)

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Gail Tomkins et al, 2005

• It is important to consider and maintain balance
  when teaching students to read and write. In a
  balanced language arts program, some students
  will need more direct, systematic instruction,
  while others will not. Our responsibility as
  teachers is to discern the level and intensity of
  instruction required for individuals and small
  groups, and modify our instruction accordingly.
  Likewise, different students learn at different
  rates. In a balanced language arts program, the
  teacher makes adjustments for these and other
  variables.
• Source p. 134 in our Course Text,
  Aquino (2006)