Useful articles
Useful Articles
Instructional Approaches
The balanced literacy instructional approaches- modeled, shared, guided, and independent- each involve different degrees of teacher and learner responsibility. They also require different types of planning and instructional support.
It is important to understand the purpose of each approach in order to match it most effectively to the desired learning outcomes.
- Demonstrate act of writing
- Model conventions of writing
- Support use of letter-sound relationships
- Teacher and children compose jointly
- Teacher scribes
- Share topic
- Teacher/child choose the topic
- Child scribes
- Teacher supports
- Child choice
- Demonstrate understanding of sounds/symbols
- Recording of ideas is permanent
- Practice writing process
Spelling and Word Study
- Developmental stages
- Visual memory
- Letter-sound relationships
- Model fluent reading
- Expand access to text beyond child’s abilities
- Exposure to variety of genres
- Convey “bedtime story” tone
- Teach strategies
- Model reading strategies
- Extend meaning
- Hold discussion
Guided Reading
- Practice strategies
- Reinforce skills
- Build independence
- Engage in questioning and discussion
- Teacher and children practice reading
- Child is responsible
- Ensure success
- Show that reading is valued
These balanced literacy approaches are blended throughout the Rigby Literacy lesson plans to move learners through modelled, shared, guided, and independent work as they make authentic reading and writing connections. The various approaches address the diversity and needs of children as they are engaged in literacy learning experiences.
Article adapted from Rigby Literacy Teacher's Guide (2000)