Parent Guide to a Balanced Literacy Program

A balanced literacy program builds on what each child knows and, through teacher guidance, allows the child to become a confident, independent reader and writer.

The approach:

Directly teaches structural and phonetic skills children need to unlock meaning.
Generates and connects new learning.
Moves the child from dependence to independence.
Demonstrates for the child how to use language.
Provides opportunities for applying reading and writing strategies in all subject areas.

Five Areas of Reading Instruction	Shared Reading/Writing
Guided Reading/Writing	Read Aloud/Write Aloud
Interactive Reading/Writing	Writing Process
Independent Reading/Writing	Resources

Five Areas of Reading Instruction

Phonemic Awareness – the ability to hear, identify and manipulate the individual sounds in spoken words

Phonics – relationship between basic sounds of language and the sounds that are represented by symbols (letters of the alphabet)

Fluency – the ability to read with speed, accuracy and proper expression

Vocabulary – refers to the words we must know to communicate effectively

Text Comprehension – understanding written text. Comprehension is the reason for reading.

Guided Reading/Writing

Guided reading is an organized structured focus group supported by the teacher. The purpose of guided reading is to enable children to use and develop strategies so they can use these strategies independently. Activities to do with your child:

Engage in conversation about the story.
Raise questions.
Make predictions and then check predictions.
Listen to your child read.

Interactive Reading/Writing

Teachers and students read together sharing reading strategies and thinking and composing together using a “shared pen” technique (taking turns composing).

Provide opportunities to write and read with your child.
Create time and opportunities to share different purposes one uses in reading and writing.
Help your child in writing and reading new words.
Share new vocabulary with your child and what it means.
Use it in your conversations.

Independent Reading/Writing

Students read and write independently.

Give your child opportunities to read and write independently.
Model reading and writing at home. Provide examples.
Demonstrate the value in knowing how to read and write.

Shared Reading/Writing

Teachers and students share and collaborate in reading text and writing.

Take turns reading a book together.
Compose a note or poem together.
Demonstrate that feelings, experiences and thoughts can be expressed in words and print.

Read Aloud/Write Aloud