Balanced Literacy

Our journey began with….A Goal of establishing a system wide literacy

plan.Actions

Examination of core reading resources & proceduresAnalysis of reading performance in all schools

FindingsVery inconsistentLow reading performance

ActionsEstablished committee with Principal representation

and teacher representation from each school.Development of a consistent plan based on input

and aligned with:State Board of Education Goals

DCS Strategic Plan GoalsState Literacy Plan Goals

Common Themes derived from teacher input included:

Balanced LiteracyStaff Development

Lead Literacy Teachers at Schools

Key Resources1. Teri Marsh – Literacy Consultant

Graduated from Wingate UniversityTwenty –eight years of experience

Taught grades K-5Curriculum Specialist for eleven years

Ongoing Training in Reading and Writing – Columbia University (Beginning eleventh year)

2. Lead Literacy Teachers3. Leveled Libraries – 4680 titles per school4. Staff Development for Principals and Teachers

What is Balanced Literacy? Consists of Five literacy

components.1. Shared reading (10-15 minutes daily)2. Reading Workshop (60 -70 minutes daily)3. Writing Workshop (40-60 minutes daily)4. Word Study (15 minutes daily)5. Read Aloud with Accountable Talk (15-20

min. daily)

Read Aloud with Accountable Talk15- 20 minutes dailyWell plannedMentor textsStudents gather on carpetStudents sit with assigned partnersTeacher thinks aloud to demonstrate

engagementTeacher prompts students to “Turn and Talk”Teacher listens and coaches as neededPicture books may last over a couple days

K-2 Shared Reading

Consistent daily framework for:Close ReadingFluencyThinking about MeaningExploring Letters and WordsExploring LanguageExploring Genres

 

3-5 Shared ReadingConsistent daily framework for:FluencyPreviewing Literal comprehensionAuthors Craft- AnalyzingExploring language and how it worksExploring how words workExploring interpretationExploring inferential thinkingExploring genres and sub genres

Looks like……Students on carpet next to their partners.

Shared reading text is displayed on Promethean Board or chart paper. ONE piece of text is used for the entire week.

Analogy charts and vocabulary charts are created and displayed around the room.

Sounds like…Teacher reading the text, modeling

fluency and intonationStudents choral readingTeacher thinking aloud and

prompting students for a specific purpose

Students brainstorming with partnersStudents processing the text with

partners

Three week cycles each genre:1.Poetry2.Fiction3.Non Fiction

Reading WorkshopMini lesson- Explicit teaching

Partner conversation/formative assessmentIndependent Reading-Fluency

Stamina Comprehension/Thinking Writing about reading - RN VolumeGuided Reading-small group instruction

formative assessment goal setting comprehension, fluency, word attack

Reading WorkshopBook clubs- analytical thinking

conversation to grow ideas around the text goal setting writing about reading

Partner work-support

practice conversation to grow ideas around the text comparing/contrasting information and

thoughts

*All through Units of Study

Reading Notebooks

Writing Workshop

Same format as RW

Mini lessonIndependent writingSmall group and individual conferringPartner work

Genres are studied through Units of Study

Word Study Differentiated to match the needs of the student.

Reading WorkshopMini lesson Turn and Talk

Independent ReadingLeveled text Engaged readers

Conferring with students

Writing about ReadingProcessing unfamiliar words

Recording thoughts about characters

Partner workPreparing to talk Growing ideas with

partners

Starts in KindergartenConferring during Independent Reading

Independent Reading

Bookroom

Let’s watch

AuthenticReading and Writing ALL Day!

A Plan for DuplinCounty