Balanced Literacy Instruction

Riverside District 96Creating a Community

of Readers and Writers

Gradual Release of Responsibility

Tea

cher

Res

pons

ibili

ty

Student Responsibility

Demonstration

Shared Practice

Guided Practice

Independent Practice

Balanced Instruction

Demonstration

Demonstration

Whole class or small group instruction

The teacher is modeling

The teacher thinks aloud

Demonstration Examples

Reading Aloud and Writing Aloud

Shared Read Aloud

Direct Explanation or Lecture

Immersion in a genre

Shared Demonstration

Shared Demonstration

Whole class or small group instruction

Teacher leading the lesson with students participating

Social interactions between teacher and students scaffold comprehension

Materials usually at students’ instructional level, but with the teacher’s support, students can be successful with harder materials

Shared Demonstration Examples

Shared Reading and Writing

Interactive Writing

Shared Read Aloud

Scaffolded Conversations

Try reading this...

The man leaned against the current as he waded, waist-deep, upstream. His hands steadied either end of the FURNWUNCH balanced across his shoulders. He had moved about 90 yards from the DNUP where he had entered the stream. A few yards ahead, a part of the wooded bank had been replaced by an ACNRID FRUD. He came abreast of it, and with effort, pressed the FURNWUNCH up and over his head, and then set it on top of the FRUD. He placed his hands on his hips, pulled his elbows back, and arched his back in an attempt to stretch out muscles that were knotted from long exertion.

He relaxed somewhat and began a visual inspection of the FRUD. He moved close to it and reached under the water to explore its surface. Moving slowly, he started the search from the downstream end. At about the RONDTIP he stopped and probed one area intently. Satisfied that he had located a GRUNDLE, he continued to the upstream end. There was only one GRUNDLE to contend with. He retrieved the FURNWUNCH and cradled the heavy implement as he made his way back to the RONDTIP. He gingerly lowered the FURNWUNCH, holding it perpendicular to the FRUN. When it reached the GRUNDLE he slid it in its full length. He held it in place with one hand and turned the expansion lock handle until the instrument was seated tightly in place. His mission accomplished, he was clearly relieved. He waded easily downstream to the DNUP.

From: Hargis, C. H. Curriculum Based Assessment: A Primer

Shared Practice

Politicians use a variety of propaganda to influence opinions and to avoid the truth.

Shared Practice

Politicians use a variety of propaganda to influence opinions and to avoid the truth.

Shared Practice

She argued that although Splenda was an ersatz sugar, it worked just as well to sweeten her coffee.

Shared Practice

She argued that although Splenda was an ersatz sugar, it worked just as well to sweeten her coffee.

Shared Practice

She argued that although Splenda was an ersatz sugar, it worked just as well to sweeten her coffee.

Guided Practice

Guided Practice

Based on the notion of proximal development

Gradual handover of responsibility

Instructional level

Homogenous small groups

Guided Practice

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Guided Practice Examples

Guided Reading

Reciprocal Teaching

Literature Conversations

Partner Reading

Guided Writing Experiences

Individual Conferences

Guided Practice Example

Gear Up! For Guided Reading

(Wright Group Video)

Independent Practice

Independent Practice

Independent level

The students try to apply learning on their own

Teacher builds on the students’ competence and strengths

Independent Practice Examples

Independent Reading and Writing

Informal Conferences

Homework and Assignments

Balanced Literacy Instruction

Celebrate everything the learner does well

Raise expectations for all learners

Teach and assess more effectively and efficiently

Collaborate

“The beating heart provides a good visual metaphor for instructional delivery in

classrooms, where the balance between modeling instruction and guided practice

pulses back and forth. Gathering kids in front for instruction, releasing them to practice, and

then bringing them back to share their thinking represents the steady flow that is the

heart of effective teaching and learning.”

Balanced Literacy Instruction

Strategies That WorkHarvey & Goudvis