# data[].attributes.headline
Teacher Resource Review: Balanced Literacy Diet 

# data[].attributes.subject
Teacher Resource Review: Balanced Literacy Diet 

# data[].attributes.body
The Balanced Literacy Diet is a database for literacy tips, strategies, resources, and research that is run by the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, at the University of Toronto. On this website, there is an abundance of different resources for every literacy need you may have. It centres around literacy for students Pre-K to Grade 6, and is based within 15 pillars- Motivation for Literacy, Oral Language, Knowledge Building, Concepts of Print, Writing Conventions, Phonemic Awareness, Letter Sounds and Phonics, Spelling and Word Study, Vocabulary, Reading and Fluency Expression, Reading Comprehension Strategies, Writing Process and Strategies, Text Structure and Genres, Classroom Organization and Time Management, and finally Assessment for Instruction. With all of these in mind, the website has complied first hand tips from teachers, whose videos and testimonies tell you exactly how to implement their tips into your own classroom. I love this resource, and have found it to be invaluable throughout my time as a teacher candidate. I have no doubt that I will continue to use this resource as I continue onward in my teaching career, as it offers so many different practical strategies and lessons for teaching literacy.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The Melissa Institute
Literacy Website

The Melissa Institute for Violence Prevention and Treatment is a non-profit organization dedicated to the study and prevention of violence through education, community service, research support and consultation.

Did you know that 85% of youth in trouble with the law have reading difficulties?

The Institute's mission is to prevent violence and promote safer communities through education and application of research-based knowledge.

What is the connection between violence prevention and a literacy website?

Evidence shows that students who do not learn to read on level by 3rd grade are much more likely to develop low self-esteem, drop out of school, and engage in antisocial and aggressive behavior. To help prevent this spiral of failure The Melissa Institute has introduced The Balanced Literacy Diet website to support educators in developing effective and engaging literacy programs across the elementary grades.

The good news is that literacy failure is preventable!

With the support of The Melissa Institute this website was developed by university-based literacy experts and school-based practitioners - literacy specialists, classroom teachers as well as district and school administrators. The Balanced Literacy Diet framework is designed to provide a comprehensive multifaceted internet resource to support the development of research-informed reading and writing instruction in schools. It is a free website for use by educators everywhere.

Thank you...

We want to thank all of the generous contributors who have made the development of this website possible.

We also want to express a particular debt of gratitude to the many educators who have opened their hearts to this project and shared their time and expertise so that others can benefit from their wisdom.

We hope to continue to add to the website, so if you find it a useful resource we hope you will support us in our efforts to make it even better.

Donations to the Melissa Institute via credit card are possible through our Secure Server.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
BALANCEDLITERACYDIET :: Balanced Literacy Diet

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Melissa Institute for Violence Prevention and Treatment is a non-profit organization dedicated to the study and prevention of violence through education, community service, research support and consultation. The Institute's mission is to prevent violence and promote safer communities through education and application of research-based knowledge.

# data[].attributes.body
3.   The Stamp Collector: Jennifer Lanthier, Illustrated by Francois Thisdale

# data[].attributes.body
Especially for children, learning the basics of reading and writing is a crucial life skill in today’s society. In this way traditional definition literacy stands true. However, it is important to realize that literacy is somewhat of an umbrella term, and in fact encompasses many different categories outside of the traditional reading and writing skills. In the 21st century, perhaps one of the most important categories in literacy is being technologically literate. Even this term can be considered relatively umbrella, as there are many different was that one may need to be literate with technology in order to succeed in todays society. The Internet, for example, is a crucial subject in which teachers need to make sure their students are proficiently literate. Literacy will always be a fundamental part of learning, but it is within our 21st century society that these new forms literacy becomes even more crucial for the learner, and the teacher. I believe that by teaching technological literacy, I am not only teaching essential skills, but also providing diverse and differentiated opportunities for learning.

In my philosophy of literacy, I believe that all work must have purpose, and this purpose must be communicated to and understood by the students. My passion for providing students with a purpose and understanding of why what their doing in school is supplemented by giving student work that is meaningful to them. In literacy, specifically in writing and skill building exercises, students can lose motivation or interest if they don’t understand why they’re doing something or why it’s important. By communicating the purpose of writing, students are given agency through which they can communicate their own ideas and understanding that the writing we do in class does not have to be just for the sake of practice. Even literacy basics like letter formation of phonological awareness are taught in ways that help the student understand why what they’re doing has a purpose. I feel that this is a key to all teaching, but specifically in literacy where students may find the work tedious or pointless.

As teachers, we know just how crucial literacy skills are to surviving in everyday life. Literacy skills at the primary level are the building blocks for so many things, which is why ensuring that our students are capable and developing these skills is so important. Phonetics, sight words, reading comprehension etc. are all key elements to literacy, and the methods that I will use in my classroom are not just activities that the students must complete, but meaningful lessons that help the students understand the purpose of what they are doing. Making learning accessible, meaningful, and hands on for all learners is key to engaging them and ensures their success.

# data[].attributes.body
5.   Rosie Revere Engineer: Written by Andrea Beaty, Illustrated by David Roberts: Part of an inspiring series, this book centres around a young girl who dreams of becoming an engineer. Rosie creates all kinds of different inventions and overcomes self-doubt with the help of her aunt. This book is best suited for students aged 8 and up, as the concepts and vocabulary may be too challenging for younger students. This book is an absolute pleasure to teach with within a classroom setting due to its inspirational and engaging storyline, and can be used in conjunction with many different curriculum areas, including literacy, visual arts, science, and math. Specifically for literacy, this book encourages a rich vocabulary, as well as opportunities for fluency and expression when read aloud.

# data[].attributes.body
2.   A Good Trade:
Written by Alma Fullerton, Illustrated by Karen Patkau

# data[].attributes.body
4.   Good Families Don’t: Written by Robert Munch, Illustrated by Alan Daniel

# data[].attributes.body
1.   The Artist and Me: Written by Shane Peacock, Illustrated by Sophie Casson.

# data[].attributes.body
V.O.I.C.E: A Mnemonic Aid to Assess Writing
This is a resource that visually allows for student's to see the areas in which their writing will be assessed. It uses 5 strategies for writing: Voice, Organization, Ideas and Content, Conventions, and Effective Use of Language. By using the mnemonic aid to assess student's writing, you will be able to evaluate their writing conventions and strategies, among other things.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
V.O.I.C.E.: A Mnemonic to Aid  Assessment of Writing (Virtual Tour)

# data[].attributes.body
Student Response System: An Interactive Tool for Assessment
This is an interesting assessment tool that uses technology to allow students to be formally assessed on their critical and media literacy. This could also be adapted in order to assess reading comprehension. Students respond to questions on a white board using interactive clickers or remotes.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
BALANCEDLITERACYDIET :: index :: Balanced Literacy Diet

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
TheStudent Response System uses the interactive whiteboard and remote controllers. - Students respond to questions by clicking their remote controller. - Students responses can be stored in a teachers computer where detailed reports can be reviewed. - Use theStudent Response System to formatively assess student understanding.

# data[].attributes.body
Pick a Corner
This is a tool suggested on the website Balanced Literacy Diet. With this assessment strategy, students are asked to express and give support to their opinions regarding different texts or literary works. While this is a rather informal assessment of learning, it is still valuable and contributes to the teacher's overall understanding of the student's level of reading comprehension.

# data[].attributes.body
A Guide to Effective Literacy Instruction V2- Assessment
This is an excellent tool for junior teachers to use to access several different assessment types and strategies for junior level literacy. This resource provides various styles of assessment for all curriculum literacy, including writing and reading fluency and comprehension, writing skills, and oral communication.

# data[].attributes.body
Guided Reading Groups
This has always been a staple within the realm of literacy assessment, and for a good reason. Guided reading allows for the teacher is able to assess the students reading level, their fluency and expression, and their comprehension strategies. Through small group, teacher-guided sessions, students are able to work with their peers and their teacher to identify where they may be struggling, and how specifically to improve.

# data[].attributes.body
Struggling Readers
This is a resource for junior teachers to use that may help them work with students who are having difficulty reading or are still learning to read for various reasons. This book outlines possible difficulties that teachers may encounter with students, but also provides tips for teaching phonics, fluency, and comprehension.

# data[].attributes.body
Poems Please! Sharing Poetry with Children
This is an excellent junior level resource to help teachers incorporate poetry into their literacy lessons. This book provides different poems teachers may use, and mainly promotes the benefits of poetry for reading comprehension.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Poems Please has 2 ratings and 0 reviews. The second edition of this classic favourite includes additions that will make it more useful than ever in the ...

# data[].attributes.body
A Guide to Effective Literacy Instruction
This is a Ministry document provided to teachers as a resource for junior teachers that outlines different ways to promote and implement literacy and literacy instruction in their classroom. This resource provides connections to curriculum, and promotes several different literacy needs for juniors, including comprehension, media literacy, and writing skills.

# data[].attributes.body
Writing Fiction: Big Dreams, Tall Ambitions
This is a junior literacy resource that outlines for teachers different writing strategies for preparing their students to create creative fiction writing. Tips, lesson outlines, and examples are provided, as well as unit outlines allow for the teacher to support their students with practical cues.

# data[].attributes.body
Nelson Literacy Toolkit (Junior)
These toolkits are an excellent resource for teachers to use, especially as they are made to build literacy into cross-curricular lessons. There are teacher guides as well as text copies for students on a variety of different subjects. This is a great resource not only for reading comprehension, but writing strategies and spelling as well.

# data[].attributes.body
Dolch List
The Dolch List is a set of sight words from which teachers may assess their students. There are different lists for different levels, and can show the students letter-sound and phonics, as well as their general phonemic awareness.

# data[].attributes.body
Phonological Awareness Tests
This assessment tool is a great way of assessing your learners initial point of instruction, and monitor their progress throughout the year. As can be determined based on the title of these tests, they assess student's phonological awareness- their ability to understand the sound structure of language, ie. rhyme, syllables, words, sounds, etc.

# data[].attributes.body
Rapid Naming Strategies
This strategy is also referred to as RAN- Rapid Automatic Naming, and is an assessment tool for students phonological processing of speech sounds and and their general phonological awareness.

# data[].attributes.body
PM Benchmark is a primary reading assessment that allows for teachers to asses their students capabilities and reading levels using levelled books. This is a great tool as well for assessing students fluency and reading comprehension using the prompt questions, and retain data on where the student needs to go next with their literacy.

# data[].attributes.body
Alphabet Chart
This is an excellent resource for primary students and teachers to promote and work on letter sounds and phonics. This enables students to make associations between letters, pictures and words, and have their own copy for reference.

# data[].attributes.body
Orton-Gillingham Sight Sound Video (Blending)
A diagnostic tool as well as a resource to asses your student’s strategies and reading abilities. This is an excellent tool for letter-sounds and phonics, checking to see what sounds or letter combos they commonly have difficulty with.

# data[].attributes.body
Nelson Literacy Toolkit (Primary)
This is an excellent resource for primary teachers to use to work with students on reading comprehension, fluency and expression. It can be used for cross-curricular lessons, however the toolkits come with several suggestions on how and when to incorporate the small books and lessons into the classroom.

# data[].attributes.body
Good Choice! Supporting Independent Reading and Responses K-6
This is a resource that educators can use with both primary and junior level students. The focus of this resource is the actions to take as a teacher to implement and support independent reading and reading comprehension within your classroom. This resource provides examples of the strategies they introduce, as well as several other resources to support you as you continue.

# data[].attributes.body
The Trait Crate
Provided through Scholastics, this is an excellent literacy resource for primary teachers to have on hand. It provides several different materials to help students improve their writing, and focuses on the six main traits of writing- Ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, and convention.

# data[].attributes.body
B or D Hand Strategy
This is an awesome strategy to use for students who specifically have trouble mixing up their B’s and D’s (or Q’s and P’s). Primary teachers can instruct their students to use their dominant hand to make a B or D, and use that as a physical reminder of which way these letters are written.