WHAT IS BALANCED LITERACY?
Balanced literacy involves listening, speaking, reading, writing and word study. These are done daily at school, and often at home. Listening and speaking skills are developed as students work with their teachers and with each other. Students learn to ask questions that relate to the lesson. They begin speaking in clear and complete sentences and they learn to share information.
The Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) Balanced Literacy Program includes read aloud, shared reading, guided reading and independent reading.
· Read Aloud - The teacher reads aloud to the whole class, or to small groups. The purpose of Read Aloud is to help children WANT to learn to read. The teacher also acts as a model to show children how to read with expression and for meaning.
· Shared Reading – The teacher uses a big book or chart that all children can see, and she involves children in reading together. This is done in a large group setting, and students may have small books they are using to follow along with the teacher.
· Guided Reading – The teacher works with a small group of children who are reading on the same or similar levels. The teacher selects and introduces new books, makes teaching points, and helps support children as they read the story out loud or to themselves.
The teacher follows a schedule for guided reading which includes introducing the book, leading the students through a “picture walk” (pictures are studied on each page of the book, before reading, and discussed by the teacher and students), and discussing unknown words.
· Independent Reading – Children read on their own or with partners from a wide range of reading materials. This allows students to practice skills they may have learned during guided reading, as well as building their confidence and teaching students to work together.
MNPS Balanced Literacy also involves writing as: Modeled writing, shared writing, guided writing, and independent writing
· Modeling Writing – The teacher shows the students how to write by explaining, thinking aloud and writing aloud. Students see the teacher planning, drafting, making choices, rereading, talking, revising, and editing.
· Shared Writing – Teacher and students work together to write messages and stories. The teacher acts as the scribe, (writer), as she writes on a board or on a large chart. Both modeled writing and shared writing help students draw attention to letters, correct spelling, punctuation, and reading.
· Guided Writing – The teacher guides students through the writing process, much in the same way as through the reading process. Students are allowed to write for a variety of purposes such as for entertainment and to inform others. Students are helped as needed.
· Independent Writing – Children write their own pieces, including responding to something they read, creating their own story or finishing a story already started.
· Finally, the most important part of balanced literacy is YOU, the PARENT! Whether your child is a beginning reader or an advanced reader, he/she needs practice to keep interest and develop understanding. Read 15-20 minutes each night with your child. For early readers, read the page to your child, and then let him/her try to read the page back to you. Talk to your teacher or to the Reading Specialist if you need more information on how to help your child become a better reader.
Who? What? When? Where? How?
Answers to these questions can be found directly in the story: Who are the characters? What are the characters doing, or what problem are they trying to solve? When does the story take place? (Now, 100 years ago, etc.) Where does the story take place? (setting) How does the boy get across town? What is the main idea? What was the purpose? What examples?
(Concepts presented by Margo Southall, 2004, Increasing Student Achievement with Guided Reading, Grades K-2.)
Metropolitan Nashville-Davidson County Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, sex, color, national origin, or disability in its hiring or employment practices or in admission to, access to, or operation of its programs, services, or activities.
Request for alternate format.
To request this information in an alternate format, please contact your building principal or department head. (Mrs. Jaqueline Kinzer, 291-6355)
Request for auxiliary aids at a school building statement.
Individuals who need auxiliary aids and services are to make their requests known your building principal or department head prior to the date it is needed. (Interpreters for the deaf or hard of hearing must be requested forty-eight hours(48) prior to the event (Mrs. Rise` W. Pope, 291-6355)
HELPFUL READING WEBSITES
1. www.starfall.com - A helpful website for learning to read, primarily for kindergarten and first grade students.
2. www.pbskids.org/readingrainbow
3. www.cleverisland.com - Free on-line learning games
4. www.roythezebra.com - For reading games and stories
5. www.clarkness.com - Free stories for kindergarten and first grade readers.
6. www.readinga-z.com - An excellent on-line reading program!
7. www.rif.org - For printable parent guides
8. www.rif.org/readingplanet/content/read_aloud_stories.mspx
9. www.schoolexpress.com
10. www.reading-activities.com
LIBRARIES
General phone number to find library hours and information on all library locations – 862-5800
BRANCHES:
Bordeaux Public Library
4000 Clarksville Pike, Nashville, TN 37218
Phone – 862-5856
Edgehill Library
1409 12th Avenue, South, Nashville, TN 37203
Phone – 862-5860
Looby Library
2301 Metro Center Blvd., Nashville, TN 37228
Phone – 862-5867
Main Library
615 Church Street, Nashville, TN
Phone – 862-5800 |
