Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.

1. What is balanced literacy?
2. What model is used in your classroom?
3. Why do I not see many papers sent home?
4. What's all this about building stamina?

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.

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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.

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Why do I not see many papers sent home?

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 your send a request for work missed, please be aware that there 
will be very little "make-up" work for this reason.

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What's all this about building stamina?

This summer myself, Mrs. Mitchell, and Miss Roberts attended a conference in 
Columbus titles the Daily 5.  The Daily 5 is an instructional model that 
works on making children become independent learners.  Each day your child 
will Read to Self, Write, and then have a choice of either Reading with 
Someone, Listening, or Word Work.  In order for this program to be effective, 
students must first practice building stamina to insure they can function 
independently.  While your child is practicing independently, this gives me 
time to work with small groups of students to instruct them on their reading 
level, as well as work 1 on 1 with students in Reading and Writing.

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