Components of a Balanced Literacy Program (Part 1)

Photo taken by E Rochford

In this blog I am looking at the four types of reading that should be encouraged in the classroom if we are to effectively contribute to producing literate citizens of the 21st Century.
I remember how I loved story time whether at home or at school. I remember listening to the storyteller’s (mother or teacher) voice and creating mental images. Now I teach at a Secondary school and the pace is hectic, but, you know what I still find time to read for my students. My Form 1’s to 3’s absolutely love for me to read to and with them! Reading aloud for your children both at home and at school create a special quality bonding time as well as enhancing the following:
• Provides adult model of fluent reading
• Develops sense of story/text
• Develops vocabulary
• Encourages prediction
• Builds a community of readers
• Develops active listening*
When was the last time you and your students participated in shared reading where you the teacher and your students read text together? Research has shown that this activity when done consistently helps students in that it:
• Demonstrates awareness of text
• Develops sense of story or content
• Promotes reading strategies
• Develops fluency and phrasing
• Increases comprehension
• Encourages politeness and respect *
Guided Reading is a great activity that allows you the teacher to introduce reading material that is at your students’ instructional level. This type of reading benefits all but, especially the struggling readers in your classroom as for them to be given material specially chosen by their teacher just for them is a confidence booster.
• Promotes reading strategies
• Increases comprehension
• Encourages independent reading
• Expands belief in own ability *
How many of us who were able to read really well at an early age remember how we were taught to read? I can’t, it seems as if I just knew how to read, and that may be the case, but what these four types of reading have shown me is that there’s a time for reading aloud and a time for sharing; a time for guiding and a time for letting go. Independent Reading allows your students to do just that to let go and read independently!
• Encourages strategic reading
• Increases comprehension
• Supports writing development
• Extends experiences with a variety of written texts
• Promotes reading for enjoyment and information
• Develops fluency
• Fosters self-confidence by reading familiar and new text
• Provides opportunities to use mistakes as learning opportunities *