Balanced Literacy

Balanced Literacy is a term used to describe instruction. It is not a program or something that a teacher follows step by step. Instead, it is the idea that children need a balance in the type of instruction that happens in the classroom. Just like we need to eat balanced meals from the different food groups to be healthy, students need a balance while practicing new skills that they are acquiring.

Students learn in a variety of ways. Using various methods and strategies help to accomplish this. One child may learn better using a certain strategy, while another child may learn the same concept using another method or strategy. We all learn in different ways and balancing a program will help students at their learning level.

A balanced program encourages students to become confident readers and writers who can use skills that they acquire throughout their lives.