Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.
- What is balanced literacy?
- What model is used in your classroom?
- Why do I not see many papers sent home?
What is balanced literacy?
What is balanced literacy?
Balanced Literacy is a framework designed to help all students learn to read
and write effectively. The program stands firmly on the premise that all
students can learn to read and write. This balance between reading and
writing allows students to receive the teaching needed in order to reach
grade level status, while allowing students to work at a level that is not
frustrating for them. There are several models currently used in schools
today.
What model is used in your classroom?
The Literacy Collaborative is a model for teaching children in a child-
centered classroom, providing many opportunities for real life reading and
writing experiences. It is based on the research of Marie Clay, Irene
Fountas, and Gay Su Pennell. Children read and write each day independently
and in group settings (both large and small). Literacy Collaborative
classrooms focus on four different types of reading experiences:
Reading aloud to children
Shared reading - whole class
Guided reading - small group
Independent reading
Students also participate in shared and individual writing activities each
day. The four types of writing experiences are:
Shared writing - whole class
Interactive writing - whole class
Writer's workshop - small groups or individual
Independent writing
Additionally, during many daily reading and writing experiences, children
are taught about letters, sounds, words and how they work. Listening and
speaking are also emphasized in this integrated language approach. All
experiences meet Ohio State Standards for Language Arts Instruction.
Teachers implementing the Literacy Collaborative use an integrated
approach to teaching language arts. The Literacy Collaborative framework for
literacy lessons consists of a number of elements that provide massive
amounts of reading and writing on a daily basis. These authentic
opportunities for reading and writing are arranged on a continuum based on
more or less teacher support. Some reading and writing tasks are modeled by
the teachers and others are accomplished with the support of the teacher,
leading to a few that are done independently by the child.
Why do I not see many papers sent home?
In the beginning you will see papers coming home due to the fact we are going
to be learning how to write our letters and numbers. After that though, you
will not be seeing many paper coming home because our classroom is based on
many different types of reading/writing activities and most of the activities
are hands on. Your child will be practicing the English language in a
variety of ways that do not all require paper/pencil work. Because of this,
it is extremely important that your child comes to school each and every day
unless ill. If your child does need to miss school and you send a request
for work missed, please be aware that there will be very little "make-up"
work for this reason.
