Shifting the Balance: 6 Ways to Bring the Science of Reading into the Balanced Literacy Classroom

Everyone seems to have strong opinions these days about the education of young children in reading. Some may pass off the current tensions as just another round in the "reading wars." Others may avoid the clash altogether because of the savage discourse that sometimes arises. Certainly, sorting out the signals from the noise is no easy task.

In this cutting-edge book, authors Jan Berkins and Kari Yates address this tension as an important opportunity to take a closer look at research, reassess current practices, and embrace new possibilities for even stronger practices of balanced literacy. The authors highlight common practices that need rethinking and reexamination, while respecting the balanced literacy perspective.

Across six shifts, each chapter

• identifies a common instructional practice to reconsider
• explores various misunderstandings that establish and keep that practice in play
• shares scientific research to support its reconsideration
• proposes an instructional shift to apply a new perspective, and
• details several high-leverage instructional routines to support implementation of that shift.

By pinpointing gaps and overlaps—as well as common misunderstandings and missed opportunities between the competing lines of thought—Jan and Kari offer busy educators direction and clarification for integrating science and balance into their daily instruction, while keeping meaningful experiences with text a priority.