What is a balanced literacy approach?

A balanced literacy approach is an instructional framework that integrates multiple methods and strategies to develop reading and writing skills effectively. This comprehensive approach promotes literacy through various components, including phonics, reading aloud, guided reading, shared reading, and independent reading, along with writing instruction. By combining these elements, educators can accommodate diverse learning styles and needs, ensuring that students become proficient readers and writers.

The balanced literacy framework emphasizes the importance of both decoding and comprehension skills, allowing for a well-rounded literacy development. This approach recognizes that no single method is sufficient on its own, hence the incorporation of various strategies to create a more effective learning environment for students.