Happy Afternoon Everyone!
I know it has been a little bit since my last post but...I'M BACK!! I am taking advantage of this 3-day weekend to get you all caught up on the great learning that has been going on in my school and hopefully have a few new products to share with you all! I also want to take a second to remember a strong and brave man who proudly fought for equal rights for ALL mankind. I have my students listen to his "I Have a Dream..." speech every year so that students would know the importance of standing up for the right thing even if others disagree. Happy MLKJ Day Weekend Everyone!
So now onto the reason you wanted to read my blog in the first place. Have you every wondered what exactly goes into making a classroom a balanced literacy classroom? Do you find yourself asking, "What exactly is Balanced Literacy?" "How can I even implement this into my classroom?" I know it seems like a daunting task but once you understand exactly what it is and some resources you can use, it actually can be very simple and easy to transition your kids into.
Graphics are curtesy of Melonheadz, you can purchase her products HERE.
So now onto the reason you wanted to read my blog in the first place. Have you every wondered what exactly goes into making a classroom a balanced literacy classroom? Do you find yourself asking, "What exactly is Balanced Literacy?" "How can I even implement this into my classroom?" I know it seems like a daunting task but once you understand exactly what it is and some resources you can use, it actually can be very simple and easy to transition your kids into.
First, Balanced Literacy is NOT a new kind of literacy curriculum. It is a FRAMEWORK to outline your literacy teaching during the day, including, reading, writing, guided reading, etc.
It is a way teachers can combine all the elements of literacy, phonics, and whole language together where students learn to read and write while growing in their independence of learning. The biggest goal for students through Balanced Literacy is for them to become strong, independent readers and writers while building their phonics and whole language skills. Here are the following components you need for a thriving Balanced Literacy classroom:
This picture shows how each key piece in literacy learning can intertwine and feed off each as students develop and grow in their literacy abilities.
Shared Reading: Teacher is sharing reading responsibilities with the students (Whole Group)
Guided Reading: Students are reading with the teacher & focusing on particular skills (Small Group)
Independent Reading: Students are practicing their reading skills (Independent)
Word Study: Students learn and apply their practice in phonics and grammar (Whole Group, Small Group and Independent)
Shared Writing: Teacher is sharing writing responsibilities with the students (Whole Group)
Guided Writing: Students are writing with the teacher & focusing on particular skills (Small Group)
Independent Writing: Students are practicing their writing skills (Independent)
There is one more component that I would like to add and that is a Read-Aloud piece, where the teacher models good reader practices and skills to the students. Read-Aloud are different from Shared Reading lessons (I will have a post about that soon) however they are a component to be added to the Balanced Literacy "web."
This is a wonderful framework that you can use to guide your Reader's and Writer's Workshops! In my second product I provided all the information that you would need including a suggested outline of what your Reader's AND Writer's Workshop time would look like!
You can purchase this product from the link HERE!!
Love you all!
Lizzie
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