Balanced Reading
Read Aloud
Professional Materials
- Carefully chosen book
- Purposeful
.Used as lesson opener
.Used for reading instruction
Physical Space/Atmosphere
- Provides comfort
- Spacious
- Inviting
- Flexible
- Allows visibility to all students
Time/Structure
- Interactive
- Creatively read
- Use of voice changes
- Exaggerations
- Captivating/Interesting
- Allows for enough time to complete book
- Allows pauses for questions/predictions
- Allows pauses for rhyming
Guided Reading
Professional Materials
- Checklists of types of assessments being done
- Device to record anecdotal notes
Student materials
- Carefully chosen text
- Purposeful text
- Any material for assistance during reading
- Differentiated material for students with needs
Physical Space/Atmosphere
- Flexible seating
- Close proximity to teacher
- Welcoming and friendly atmosphere
- Encouraging
- Understanding
- Patient
Time/Structure
- Provide adequate time for all students to practice
- Provide minimal assistance
- Assist only when necessary
- Hands-off approach, let students lead
Shared Reading
Time/Structure
- Shorter whole group instruction time 10-15 mins
- Very specific purpose
- Modelling strategies
- Grouped or paired work
Student Materials
- Graphic organizers
- Technology (ipads/laptops) software
- Differentiated activities/expectations
- Choice of activity
- Classroom materials (pencils, erasers etc...)
Professional Materials
- Carefully chosen book
- Anchor Chart
- Success Criteria
- Assessment tools
Physical space/Atmosphere
- Vertical surfaces for students to display learning
- Flexible seating
- Level of volume control in class
- Classroom management (level of student engagement)
- Safe environment (physically, emotionally, socially)
Independent Reading
Student Materials
- Variety of options of texts
- Student choice (can be from home if appropriate)
- Flexible seating to provide comfort
- Head phones for absolute silence
- Options to listen to reading for students with needs.
Physical Space/Atmosphere
- Enough personal space for each student
- Quiet and calming atmosphere
Time/Structure
- Provide adequate time for students to enjoy reading
- Don't make reading time too long
- Provide alternative literacy activities for students who have a hard time sitting still and reading
- Provide clear expectations for reading time
- Assist when students ask