Do you ever get that feeling of dread when it's time to teach writing? Do you feel frustrated with sloppy handwriting, lack of creativity and the same old boring writing from your students? If that feels like you, I'll let you in on my secret. Balanced literacy is your ticket to creating first grade writers.
What Is Balanced Literacy?
In the most simple of terms, balanced literacy is a framework that shows the interconnectivity of reading and writing. When using a balanced literacy approach in your classroom:
- Teachers model the reading and writing process
- Teachers support learners as they practice reading and writing
- Students read and write independently.
In her book, Strategies For Effective Balanced Literacy, Mary Jo Fresch provides a teacher friendly guide to all of the components to balanced literacy. This book is a great help to any teacher who wants to learn more about using these strategies in their classroom.
Balanced Literacy In Writing
When I first started teaching, I struggled with my kindergarten and first grade writers. It was difficult to get much more than sentences like “I love my mom.” or “I see the cat.” What was I doing wrong?
I attended a year of professional development with a literacy coach for the Ohio State Literacy Collaborative. This research based framework of literacy lessons consists of opportunities to include reading and writing across the curriculum.
I learned that if I used the balanced literacy approach to writing, my first graders would not only produce better writing but enjoy it at the same time. After learning about the balanced literacy framework, I really began to see a difference in my students writing ability.
The Writing Components.
I use the balanced literacy format for all my first grade writing lessons. When using this model, there are four main components to the writing process. These four areas give a gradual release of responsibility to the child.
- Shared Writing
- Interactive Writing
- Guided Writing
- Independent Writing
Let's break each of these areas down.
1. Shared Writing
In this component, the teacher has the most control as she models the writing process to students. This is the “I do” component of balanced literacy writing. Teacher and students work together to compose a piece of writing with the teacher serving as the scribe and doing all of the actual writing.
In one of our informational writing lessons, the students were learning about chipmunks. After reading a book about chipmunks, I showed the students how to write a report about this little critter.
2. Interactive Writing
First grade writers become a part of the lesson during interactive writing lessons. In this “we do” component, teachers and students work together to compose a piece of writing as they share the pen. Both teacher and students share the writing process.
During our lesson, the students helped me brainstorm some things we learned about chipmunks. They helped me create this graphic organizer by sharing the pen with me. I called on different students to help write different words and letters on our web.
3. Guided Writing
During guided writing, the teacher gradually gives up more control of the writing process. In this “we do” component, the teacher meets with small groups of students. During the groups, the teacher gives explicit instructions and continuous feedback and students begin the writing process.
4. Independent Writing
Finally, the teacher releases all responsibility to the student during independent writing. During the “you do” component of independent writing, students compose and write their own texts. The teacher's role is to support students through individual conferences.
After guiding the students through the writing process, it was time for them to write their own report. This was a lesson that we did in November, which is relatively early in the year. After only a few weeks of instruction, they were able to write complete reports about chipmunks on their own. Balanced literacy writing really works!
Need ideas to get your writing lessons started? Head over here for 4 easy writing prompts for beginning writers.
Ready to get your first graders writing? Grab everything you need to get started here.
