Our model of reading and writing instruction develops good literacy habits in students by engaging them in meaningful literacy activities. In a balanced literacy classroom, teachers implement a well-planned comprehensive literacy program that reflects the gradual release of control, whereby responsibility for demonstrating skills and strategies is gradually shifted from the teacher to the students. The literacy instructional practices of a balanced literacy curriculum include reading and writing to, with and by students.
The teacher models reading and writing to the students through the practices of interactive read aloud and demonstration writing. The teacher reads and writes with the students through shared reading, shared writing, interactive writing, guided writing, guided reading and strategy groups. Reading and writing is done by the students, during independent reading, partner reading, book clubs and independent writing. Students have opportunities to practice a focal strategy modeled by the teacher during read aloud in small groups and then independently. The teacher monitors student progress through all of these experiences and provides the necessary guidance and support based on individual student need.
