Literacy Programs
There are several different methods of education for developing literacy and many schools feel that their particular method or program is the best. However, what if there is not one “best” program? Perhaps a combination of different programs would offer a more balanced learning experience. With a balanced method, teachers are encouraged to make a conscious effort every day to help all children become better readers and writers, by meeting the needs of each individual child. This also provides a more balanced curriculum that recognizes the contributions of many different approaches and perspectives.
A balanced literacy program is made up of several components, such as a teacher reading aloud as this provides an example of adult literacy while developing a sense of text and story. Reading aloud also helps to improve vocabulary and active listening skills, which then encourages a prediction. Shared reading by the teacher and student helps to improve reading skills, as it develops phrasing and fluency, and increases comprehension.
Some of the additional components that are involved with the balanced literacy programs include what is called teacher guided reading. The teacher will assign a selection that is appropriate for a student’s level, as it helps to expand the student’s belief in their own abilities and improve their reading skills. It is also known to increase comprehension, develop fluency and gives the opportunity to the student to use mistakes as a learning experience.
Interactive writing is another portion of a balanced literacy program and involves the teacher and student writing portions of text together. In this instance, opportunities are provided to plan and construct the text, and it creates an opportunity to teach students how to apply what they have learned. It is also a great method for improving spelling and using resources that are available.
After the initial components have been introduced and learned, it is then time to introduce the last step of a balanced program, which involves independent writing. These types of programs will improve the student’s sequence of placing steps in text, improving writing strategies, reading development and will help them learn and understand the many different uses of reading and writing. The goal of this type of balanced literacy teaching is to help children develop what is called active independence in order to improve their problem solving skills, as well as many other skills they will need throughout their life.
Sarah Lomas is a foremost expert in the treating yeast infection field. Her work has been extensively published in various online publications in the areas of treatment of yeast infection. For more information on the treatment for yeast infections, visit remedyforyeastinfection.com.