Balanced Literacy
District 97’s balanced literacy program is comprised of the
Read-aloud, close reading, guided reading, shared reading, independent reading, interactive writing, shared writing, Reading Workshop, Writing Workshop and Word Study.
Workshop Model
The workshop model for reading is taken from the Reading Unit of Study program developed at Teacher’s College at Columbia University. During Reading Workshop, students are explicitly taught a skill or strategy through whole group mini-lessons with the teacher. Next, the teacher models the skill or strategy in a text using a “think-aloud” to show students what she is thinking. Students apply what they learned while reading books at their independent reading levels building fluency, strengthening comprehension and word-attack strategies. The Reading Units of Study program focuses on fiction, nonfiction, and Book Clubs.
Anchor Charts
During mini lessons, interactive read-aloud and shared reading the class will create anchor charts. These anchor charts remind students how and when to use different skills and strategies.
Components of balanced literacy program include:
District 97’s balanced literacy program is comprised of the
Read-aloud, close reading, guided reading, shared reading, independent reading, interactive writing, shared writing, Reading Workshop, Writing Workshop and Word Study.
Workshop Model
The workshop model for reading is taken from the Reading Unit of Study program developed at Teacher’s College at Columbia University. During Reading Workshop, students are explicitly taught a skill or strategy through whole group mini-lessons with the teacher. Next, the teacher models the skill or strategy in a text using a “think-aloud” to show students what she is thinking. Students apply what they learned while reading books at their independent reading levels building fluency, strengthening comprehension and word-attack strategies. The Reading Units of Study program focuses on fiction, nonfiction, and Book Clubs.
Anchor Charts
During mini lessons, interactive read-aloud and shared reading the class will create anchor charts. These anchor charts remind students how and when to use different skills and strategies.
Components of balanced literacy program include:
- Read-aloud: The teacher reads aloud a story modeling fluent, expressive reading.
- Close reading: The rereading of text for the purpose of uncovering multiple layers of meaning.
- Guided reading: Guided reading is a small group activity where students read from leveled text. They use the skills directly taught during mini lessons, interactive read-aloud and shared reading to increase their comprehension and fluency. The teacher provides prompting and asks questions. Guided reading allows for great differentiation in the classroom. Groups are created around reading levels, and students move up when the entire group is ready.
- Shared reading: Students read from a shared text specifically a big book, excerpt from a text, or poem.
- Independent reading: Students read self-selected text independently. Students choose books based on interest and independent reading level.
- Interactive read-aloud:
- Leveled text: Students’ independent and instructional reading levels are assessed using the Fountas & Pinnell leveling system. These levels are used during guided reading and independent reading.