Balanced Literacy Program
Designed for a Grade 2 Class
A Balanced Literacy Program is a balance between both whole language and phonics. There are five different components of balanced literacy: The read aloud, guided reading, shared reading, independent reading, and Word study. Balance literacy captures the balance between teacher-initiated and student-initiated activities and learning which in turn, students become literate and lifelong learners.
Examples of Balanced Literacy Activities
Read to Someone and Listen to Reading: Demonstrating Understanding
Teacher will read aloud a story to the whole class and working together as a class, we will write on an anchor chart key elements of the story: character, setting, conflict, major event/solution and conclusion. This activity will allow students to have good understanding of these key elements in a story. Afterwards students will work in pairs and do shared reading with their partner and then construct a 6-sided cube with each side featuring a key story elements: character, setting, conflict, major event/solution and conclusion. Students will use complete sentences and draw images to reflect their understanding of key story elements.
Modification: Students with a learning exceptionality will receive images and sentences for them to cut out and organized and paste on each side of the story cube.
Word Work: Spelling Familiar Words
Working independently, students will go to the word wall activities to practice 20 high-frequency words correctly. Students may refer to the anchor chart of high-frequency words to write in their journal or use paint and/or markers to write the words or trace the words in sand, and/or block arrangement. Students may also play a fun roll it, read it, and write it dice game.
Modification: Student with a learning exceptionality will practice 10 high-frequency words on the educational site: http://www.education.com/games/sight-words/ or use letter cut outs to rearrange letters with the assistant of a teacher or EA.
Work on Writing: Responding to and Evaluating Text
The teacher will show the whole class a commercial for two video games and will prompt students with the following questions: “Tell me three things that make this game more fun to play than the other one. Do you think both girls and boys would like both games? Give me 3 reasons for your answer.” Working in groups of 3 students will assign someone as a writer, time tracker, and lastly, someone will be in charge of making sure everyone is on task.
Modification: Student with an exceptionality will take on a role that best suit their ability e.g. time tracker or use voice to text on their device to take notes. Each group will write their response on chart paper with a marker and will present their response to the class.
The Daily 5 classroom is an excellent balance between teacher-initiated and student-initiated learning. It allows teachers to choose individualized goals, assign strategies, monitor progress, and provide instructions to meet the needs of every student. The benefits for both teachers and students include the following:
- Students develop independence, stamina, and accountability;
- Less time consumed by classroom management leaves more for instruction;
- The framework adapts flawlessly to district-adopted curriculums and state mandates;
- Improves school wide literacy achievement; and
- Behaviors of independence transfer to other content areas.
* (Boushey, C. & Moser, J., 2014).
For More Information...
Best Regards,
Miss Nguyen
Email: balancedliteracyprogram@greendaleps.com
Location: 123 Balanced Street, Toronto, ON
Phone: 416-123-4567
References
Images found on Google Search Engine: Images
K12Readers. (n/a). Balanced literacy program components & strategies. Retrieved from http://www.k12reader.com/category/balanced-literacy/
Mermelstein, L. (2013). The components of balanced literacy. Retrieved from http://www.education.com/reference/article/components-balanced-literacy/
Roberts, M. (2013). Copy of balanced literacy: A case study of Ontario Kindergarten teacher. Retrieved from https://prezi.com/ccuhqvbc0uco/copy-of-balanced-literacy-a-case-study-of-an-ontario-kindergarten-teacher/
Working with young readers and writers. (2000). What is a balanced approach to literacy instruction? Retrieved from https://www.pearsonhighered.com/samplechapter/0131190768.pdf