Social icon
Social icon
Social icon
Social icon
Quick Links
Academics > Reading Resource Teachers > Cassie Gralish > What is Balanced Literacy?

Balanced Literacy Framework
A Balanced Literacy Framework focuses on the five key components of reading instruction (Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, Vocabulary, Fluency, and Comprehension) through Interactive Read-Alouds, Shared Readings, Word Study, Strategy Groups, Guided Reading Groups, and Reader’s Workshop or independent reading.  The MN Academic Standards in reading are always central to the work in a Balanced Literacy Framework.
 
In a Reading Workshop, your child’s language arts program provides opportunities to participate in reading as “real readers” do. It also allows us as teachers the opportunity to tailor instruction for each reader in the class by matching the appropriate text to each reader.  Research supports that the amount of independent reading time children experience in school is related to gains in reading achievement. Independent reading is also a major source of vocabulary growth and reading fluency.
 
A balanced reading program with quality instruction involves many elements. In the Reading Workshop, students have an opportunity to:
  • Listen to and respond to good literature.
  • Participate in individual and small-group reading instruction and read individually and or/with other children.
  • Select material at the appropriate level and to have reading choice
  • Participate in lessons on reading strategies.
  • Focus on comprehension.
  • Integrate reading and writing activities.
  • Communicate with the teacher and other readers about their reading
  • Read from various genres of literature such as realistic fiction, nonfiction, poetry, etc…
 
We believe that the ultimate goal in reading is to develop not only confident and skilled readers, but also readers who truly enjoy reading. As part of the schoolwide model, the reading homework each night will be for your child to read 20 minutes.  In addition, the traditional weekly spelling work of pre-test and post-test will be more focused on word work (prefixes, suffixes, root words) and vocabulary development rather than spelling tests.
 
We appreciate your continued involvement in your child’s reading. We will be communicating with you often throughout the school year as we encourage your child to read with power, intention, and joy. 
 
Sincerely,
OH Anderson Teachers

Our Mission

The mission of O.H. Anderson Elementary, the joyful Zephyr family of curious, hard-working learners committed to empowering everyone to be better together, is to ensure all students discover their authentic selves and build bold learner agency to collaboratively and mindfully contribute in our world through a vital system distinguished by:

  • An inclusive and fun environment that honors the worth of the individual and connections with others
  • A culture that celebrates learning, passion, and personal excellence 
  • Teaching and learning that values the process of discovery and bold experimentation 
  • A culture that empowers authentic student voice, choice, and action for the greater good
O.H. Anderson Elementary School ISD #832
666 South Warner Avenue, Mahtomedi, MN 55115
Phone: 651-407-2300
Attendance Line: 651-407-2308
Our School
We believe in creating a safe and challenging learning community with the goal of bringing together social and academic learning throughout the day to foster and support engaged, caring, and responsible learners. Our dedicated teachers work with students to develop a growth mindset by providing learning opportunities that spark effort, curiosity, and engagement to fuel growth and achievement. Our school-wide Zephyr Time Celebrations, Morning Announcements, all-school River of Rocks art project, Fun Run, and Nature Trail Day are ways in which we build a strong sense of community. Whether it is programming robots, book clubs, math talks, cross-country skiing, or composing music, we are committed to providing an engaging and challenging education for all students.