A Guide to Balanced Literacy

I. Shared/Guided Reading

Shared Reading Purpose: To provide an opportunity for children to participate with

the teacher in reading big books, charts, appropriate text, etc.

Shared Reading includes the following types of activities:

1. Choral reading and chiming in.

2. Large group instruction about reading strategies and print (how to effectively read

books).

3. Make connections to text and sharing with peers.

II. Guided Reading Purpose: To work with the teacher in a small group setting in order to

develop a full range of reading strategies that will allow the student to become an

independent reader.

Guided Reading includes the following types of activities:

1. Direct reading instruction in a small group based on individual reading level

2. Reading material that has been specifically selected for the children in the group

3. Within this block the students will also be engaged in a variety of additional reading

and/or writing activities designed to strengthen their literacy skills.

III. Self-Selected Reading

To develop independent readers who are excited by reading and see it as a valued,

worthwhile experience

Includes the following types of activities:

1. Teacher reads to students daily

2. A wide variety of materials at various levels will be available for the children to read

3. Opportunities to re-read favorite stories

4. Book talks given by children to the class, a group or a friend

5. Teacher conferencing with individual students about the books they have read to ensure

understanding

6. Running record assessment

IV. Writing

To help students view writing as a real and purposeful means of communication

Includes the following types of activities:

1. Teacher modeling of writing

2. Time for daily writing

3. A writing center

4. Shared writing experiences

5. Language experience charts

6. Teacher and/or peer conferencing

V. Balanced Literacy: The Home-School Connection

Some Helpful Suggestions:

1. Read to your child as often as you can!!

2. Encourage your child to join in and “read”. Point to the words as you read.

3. Draw attention to print in the environment (labels, signs, etc.).

4. Read and write birthday cards, messages, grocery lists and letters together.

5. Encourage your child to find words that begin with the same letters as his/her name.

6. Ask questions before, during and after reading (ex: “What do you think will happen

next?”). Occasionally ask some “why” questions about the story.

7. When reading aloud, if your child makes a mistake, allow time for self-correction. If the

mistake makes sense, ignore it..

8. Ask your child what word would make sense when she/he becomes “stuck” on a word.

Encourage your child to try to use the pictures, to re-read, or to stretch the sounds. More

fluent readers can “read-on”, to get the overall meaning.

Above all, be positive and have fun!