What Is Balanced Literacy?

Balanced Literacy is a framework for organizing reading and writing instruction. It is based on the beliefs that there are many ways to teach a child to read and write at’ that all children need repeated practice on a daily basis. Balanced Literacy ensures that children’s teaching and learning experiences are delivered in a To’, ‘With’, and ‘By format.

What Does ‘To,’ ‘With’ and ‘By’ Mean?

From a child’s point of view:
‘To’ means, “Show me how to do it.”
‘With’ means, “Help me or join me in this.”
‘By’ means, “Let me read or write by myself.”

Balanced Literacy allows the teacher to form flexible groups of students for guided (To) instruction, shared (With) instruction, and independent (By) practice.

Balanced Literacy In Action

At Yacks, Balanced Literacy isn’t just a catchy phrase, it’s a way of life. Each day students participate in Shared Book, Guided Reading, and other To, With, and By instructional models in reading and writing. Our school has a comprehensive Literacy Library that houses thousands of books that support students developmental stages of language acquisition and provide teachers with multiple resources for direct and guided instruction. Students have ready access to the Literacy Library and can often be found browsing through the various genres to select a title for their independent reading. There are also many professional books for staff as they plan effective literacy instruction. Balanced Literacy instruction values all children as they progress through the stages of development It celebrates reading and writing through purposeful, meaningful, and authentic instruction that models the everyday impact that literacy has on our lives.