Balanced Literacy in Radnor Township Elementary Schools

Annmarie Burhop, WES Literacy CoachElyse Goldberg, RES Literacy Coach

Parent Involvement Night, October 2012

Components of RTSD’s Balanced Literacy ProgramReading AloudShared Reading (Making Meaning/Making

Meaning Vocabulary)Guided ReadingWord Study (Fundations, Fountas & Pinnell,

or Spelling Connections)Independent Reading (IDR)Model Writing (BAW)Independent Writing (BAW)

Balanced Literacy Follows the Gradual Release of Responsibility Model“I DO” (Direct Instruction)

Read AloudShared Reading (MM & BAW)Model Writing (BAW)Word Study

“WE DO” (Guided Practice)Shared Reading (MM & BAW)Guided ReadingModel Writing (BAW)Word Study

“YOU DO” (Independent Practice)Independent Reading (IDR)Independent Writing (BAW)Word Study

Shared Reading with the Making Meaning Program The program uses nonfiction and fiction read-aloud books to

teach students nine different comprehension strategies while also developing their social values to create a supportive community of readers.RetellingMaking connectionsUsing schemaVisualizing Wondering/QuestioningMaking inferences Determining important ideas Understanding text structure SummarizingSynthesizing

Writing Workshop with the Being A Writer ProgramThe Being a Writer program is a yearlong writing

curriculum for grades K–6 that combines two decades of research in the areas of writing, motivation, and learning theory with social and ethical development.

The program has two goals: to develop the creativity and skills of a writer, and to develop the social and ethical values of a responsible person.

It uses high-quality trade books for genre immersion and author studies, and mini-lessons to reinforce the skills and conventions taught in the program.

Writing instruction, regular community-building elements, and guided partner work are integrated to develop in students a sense of autonomy, belonging, and competence.

Vocabulary Instruction with Making MeaningThis vocabulary supplement teaches high-utility words

found in the MM read-aloud texts along with strategies students can use to unlock word meanings when they are reading independently. By using words from the books taught in the program, students learn words in context.

Developers chose Tier II words; vivid verbs, adjectives, and adverbs; words with multiple meanings; words that use prefixes and suffixes to determine word meaning; and words that are compelling for students to learn and use.

The goal of Tier II vocabulary instruction is to have students, without prompting, accurately using new vocabulary words in their everyday speaking and writing.

Word Study Fundations program in Grades K – 1 A) Research based, multi-sensory, systematic, sequential instruction. B) 25 minute lessons build a foundation in reading and spelling C) Builds a strong foundation in phonological awareness, phonemic

awareness, phonics, spelling, handwriting and sight vocabulary Fountas & Pinnell Word Study in Grades 2 – 3 A) Goal of program is to develop automaticity so students apply phonics

as both a decoding and encoding strategy, decipher and use rich vocabulary; manipulate words and word parts

B) Systematic and sequential phonics instruction C) Variety of games and activities used to refine and solidify skills. Spelling Connections in Grades 4 – 5 A) Research based instruction B) Developmentally appropriate word list that presents the right words

and patterns at the right time C) connections to writing and the content areas offer students

opportunities to transfer and apply learned skills

What is Guided Reading?Guided Reading offers small-group support

and explicit teaching to help students take on more challenging texts.

As students read texts that are organized along a gradient of difficulty, they expand their systems of strategic actions by meeting the demands of increasingly complex texts.

Students provide evidence of their thinking through oral reading, talk, and extension through writing.

Fountas & Pinnell, The Continuum of Literacy Learning,2007

System of Strategic Actions Wheel