Balanced Literacy Approach Paper

Looking back over years of research, theories, and philosophies, I can see a clear progression in literacy development. Having access to this wealth of knowledge and experience, it is possible to see how the balanced literacy approach was developed. The term, balanced literacy, is an apt description of this approach. No one theory or philosophy is prized. Instead, the best of each theory and philosophy is incorporated into this approach; offering students the best years of educators, hard work, and dedication.

Balanced Literacy

In order to teach using a balanced literacy approach, one must understand that it is not a set curriculum or set process used the same way year after year. Instead, the balanced literacy approach is created using the knowledge the teacher has of his/her current students’ social, emotional, physical and intellectual status (Morrow, 2009). The teacher must take what is known about the students and use that knowledge as a guide in selecting activities and instruction approaches that best meet the needs of her students both as a group and as people. This requires the teacher to be very knowledgeable about many theories and philosophies of education.

28). While many believed in the strength of using one theory to educate students, some started looking for a way that was not only one side or the other. Hence, a balanced approach emerged. Yet this does not mean that teachers should choose a random assortment of strategies to use in their classroom. Morrow states, a teacher may select strategies from different learning theories to provide balance… The balanced approach is a thoughtful and mature approach. It focuses on what is important for individual children than on the latest fad in literacy education - page 28. To be most effective, this approach must be used both facets of literacy instruction; both reading and