What are the four blocks of a balanced literacy program?

Hall in 1989-90 in a first grade classroom. The Four Blocks (Guided Reading, Self-Selected Reading, Writing, and Working with Words) represent four different approaches to teaching children to read.

What are literacy blocks?

These first literacy blocks included small-group, guided reading groups, within a whole-language context. Blocks may include the following components: independent reading, independent writing, guided reading, guided writing, word study and language study.

What are the four things that make up literacy?

But we feel that no matter what program is popular at the time, an effective literacy program should always encompass these six basic components: phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, and writing.

What is balanced literacy framework?

Quite simply, balanced literacy is a framework that gives equal attention to reading and writing instruction. The framework is organized around eight major clusters of activity, each relying on oral language as a base and each focusing on building bridges between oral and written language.

What is a 4 block?

The Four Blocks Reading Program, or Four Blocks Framework, is a balanced literacy program that has been in use in elementary schools since 1989. Central to the program is the use on a daily basis of four elements of literacy instruction — guided reading, self selected reading, writing and working with words.

What does good literacy instruction look like?

The teacher explanation should be short and concise. It should provide an objective or a target area of learning for that part of the lesson, and the quicker the teacher explanation is, the more time there is for students to respond to instruction. So, quick and concise is key with a teacher explanation.

What should be in a literacy block?

Handwriting, spelling knowledge, phonic knowledge, phonological knowledge (including phonemic awareness), knowledge of the conventions of grammar and the strategic use of punctuation are essential when recording.

How do you plan a literacy block?

How to Organize Your Structured Literacy Block

1. 1 – Read Aloud Time. The gift of time to read aloud with my students will forever be time I cherished the most with them.
2. 2 – Literacy Block.
3. Step One -Begin with a whole group mini-lesson.
4. Step Two – Break into small group instruction.
5. Step Three – Give yourself some grace.

What are the 5 critical reading skills?

Top 5 critical reading techniques

• Survey – Know what you’re looking for! Before you crack open your book, take a few minutes to read the preface and introduction, and browse through the table of contents and the index.
• Ask questions.
• Read actively.
• Respond to your own questions.
• Record key concepts.

Is Fountas and Pinnell balanced literacy?

Balanced literacy programs include community, home and library involvement as well as structured classroom plans and the use of activities, such as read alouds, guided reading, shared reading and independent reading and writing (Fountas & Pinnell, 1996).

Is the daily 5 a balanced literacy program?

Balanced literacy (BL) is: independent reading, shared reading, guided reading, read aloud and word study. CAFE/Daily 5 really is all of those plus work on writing. CAFE/Daily 5 and balanced literacy allow teachers to differentiate instruction and truly meet the needs of our students.

What are the blocks in the four block reading program?

Variations on the model include Building Blocks, meant especially for kindergarten students, and Big Blocks, intended for students in third through fifth grades. The framework consists of four sections, called blocks, which include Guided Reading, Writing, Working with Words and Self-Selected Reading. Each block is meant to be addressed daily.

When was the four blocks literacy model created?

This study will also investigate the four Blocks Literacy Model for Grades 1-3 developed by P. Cunningham and D. Hall in 1989-90 in a first grade classroom. The Four Blocks (Guided Reading, Self-Selected Reading, Writing, and Working with Words) represent four different approaches to teaching children to read.

How long should a guided reading block be?

Each block is meant to be addressed daily. The guided reading block should be 30 to 40 minutes in length. The goals of this block are to build background knowledge, vocabulary and comprehension skills through before, during and after reading activities.

What is the purpose of the four blocks?

What are the Four Blocks? Self-Selected Reading & Guided Reading Self-Selected Reading: Purpose: Help students develop the skills to select reading materials that they find interesting. Provide opportunities for students to share and respond to what they are reading (Erickson & Koppenhaver, 2007, p.42)