Curriculum

A balanced approach to literacy refers to using a variety of materials and strategies to teach reading, writing, and language. “A balanced perspective includes careful selection of the best theories available and use of learning strategies based on these theories to match the learning styles of individual children to help them to learn to read” (Morrow, 2009, p. 28).

 

Balanced literacy isn’t a program, while some companies may market it as such, to be bought and taught. It is the combination of programs that allow students to acquire skills in all areas of literacy. The programs selected should also provide balance through the use of multiple instructional strategies.

 

The balanced approach is in response to the debate of phonics verse literature-based instruction. The approach combines the best of all techniques to develop lifelong readers and writers. This is a constructivist way of thinking as well as a goal of the Common Core State Standards.