Balanced-Literacy Reading Program

Kristine Malia4th Grade Teacher

Patricksburg Elementary School

Philosophy of Reading

I believe that all students have the ability to become successful readers and writers. It is my

responsibility as a teacher to provide instruction for each child’s individual needs. By using a balanced-

literacy approach within my classroom, I can differentiate the learning going on in my classroom

so all students will grow and blossom into successful readers and writers.

What is a Balanced-Literacy Program?

A Balanced-Literacy Program “combines explicit instruction, guided practice, collaborative learning, and independent reading and writing” (Tompkins, 2010) on a daily basis.

Teachers differentiate instruction based on student needs.

Components of a Balanced-Literacy Program

Reading Phonics and other literacy skills Reading and writing strategies Vocabulary Comprehension Literature Content-area study Oral language Writing Spelling

Reading Experiences Shared Reading

The teacher reads with the students when a book may be at a too difficult reading level or comprehension level.

Independent Reading Students will have a chance to read books at their comfort level

during this time.

Read-Alouds Read-alouds are a great means to model good reading—fluency

and use of strategies. Grand conversations can occur during this time.

Guided Reading The teacher will guide small groups of students using leveled

readers during this time. Specific strategies and skills will be taught.

Phonics and other Literacy Skills Teachers teach

phonics skills to aid struggling readers or in reading grade-level/ multi-syallabic words and during the writing process.

Reading and Writing Strategies Students will learn

strategies such as predicting, drawing inferences, summarizing, monitoring, and much more.

Vocabulary We will work on

weekly vocabulary words from our basal story. The students will also be introduced to other vocabulary words using our Elements of Reading program.

Comprehension Students will be

working on higher-level thinking skills in order to help aid in their understanding of what they read.

Literature The students will

be involved in various types of literature activities from the basal and during literature circles.

Content-Area Study I am excited to use

our new science program this year. We will focus on learning how to read non-fiction readings and the vocabulary needed to understand what they are learning.

Oral Language Students will

participate in grand conversations about what they read.

Writing Students will write

using the 5-step process.

Spelling The students will

have a weekly spelling test that includes words that follow a phonics rule. Students will be expected to edit their own writing for spelling errors using the word wall, dictionary, and other resources.

Types of GroupsSmall GroupsGuided ReadingAbility groupingLiteracy centers

Whole GroupRead-aloudsModeled reading and writingMini-lessonsShared reading/writing

IndependentIndependent reading and writing activities

Teacher-StudentReading/Writing workshopReading/Writing conferences

90 Minute Reading BlockAmount of Time Grouping Types of Activities

30 minutes Whole group SpellingBasal storyComprehension strategies/skillsVocabularyPhonicsCooperative learning

15 minutes Individual Self-selected reading/journaling

10 minutes Small groups Guided readingLeveled readersMini-lessonsWord work

35 minutes Literacy Centers or Literature Circles

FluencyComprehensionVocabularyPhonicsSpelling

Read and response

Assessments Formal

Your child will take Acuity four times this year.

Content area/basal tests

Spelling tests Writing prompts I-STEP Projects

Informal Daily observations Quick-writes Center activities

Assessment continued . . . Progress reports every four weeks Rubrics

One way I will assess your child is by using a rubric. To see an example rubric, follow these steps:1.  Go to http://rubistar.4teachers.org and click find a rubric.2.  Click on author name and type in malia.3.  Find the rubric titled Reading-Analyzing Information--Any Non-Fiction book.

You can always check on your child’s grades using PowerSchool.

Parent Involvement As a parent you have a huge impact on your

child’s learning. Check your child’s agenda/homework/backpack

each night. Encourage your child to read 15-20 minutes

every night. Involve your child in everyday reading and

writing at home. Talk to your child about his/her day at school. Become involved at school—attend school

events, be a part of the PTO, ask questions! Websites to help you at home:

www.internet4classrooms.com/parents.htm www.readingrockets.org

References Tompkins, G. (2010), Literacy for the 21st Century: A

Balanced Approach, 5th edition, NY: Allyn & Bacon. Put Reading First: The Research Building Blocks for

Teaching Children to Read. Armbruster, B.A., Lehr, F. & Osborn, J. (2001) Center for the Improvement of Early Reading Achievement (CIERA).

The Red Book Series, Texas Education Agency, Texas Reading Initiative.

www.internet4classrooms.org/parents.htm www.readingrockets.org

Student Impact StatementThis class has given me many ideas to

implement within my classroom this year and years to come. My students will benefit from a balanced-literacy classroom that encompasses the 10 components. My students will benefit

from the various strategies and skills from this course. My students will be involved literacy activities that are effective and meaningful.

“Knowledge is power.”Sir Francis Bacon

Professional Impact Statement

I have learned so much professionally during this course. I feel like I know how to teach my

students more effectively and efficiently using a balanced-literacy program. I am excited to put

into place more sincerely what I have known but now know is imperative to implement within my classroom. The strategies and skills learned in the past few weeks will enable my students to

become successful readers and writers.

“I never teach my pupils. I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn.”Albert Einstein