Learning Theories
Balanced Literacy
Levels of Scaffolding
Literacy Instruction
Assessment
100
This approach to teaching describes learning as the active construction of knowledge. Learners are innately curious and they rely on background information to be successful.
What is Constructivism
100
In this portion of a balanced literacy classroom teachers provide direct instruction to develop students' knowledge of reading and writing.
What is Explicit Instruction
100
In this type of scaffolding students and teachers read and write together.
What is Shared
100
Commercially produced reading programs.
What is Basal Readers
100
This portion of the assessment cycle requires teachers to use their knowledge of students' reading levels, background knowledge and other skill sets to ensure instruction is at the students' instructional level.
What is Planning
200
This theory recommends that reading and writing be integrated to help students become strategic readers and writers. Reading and writing are subject to individual interpretation as readers begin to make meaning of the processes.
What is Information Processing
200
Using trade books and writing compositions students have regular opportunities to practice what they are learning.
What is Authentic Application
200
This type of scaffolding uses instructional level text and shared opportunities for responsibility to support student growth and development.
What is Interactive
200
Teacher created units featuring high-quality picture books, stories and novels.
What is Literature Focus Units
200
In this phase teachers judge the effectiveness of their instruction by analyzing students' reading, writing and test results.
What is Reflecting
300
This theory of learning focuses on observable changes in behavior and sees the teacher as the provider of information. Learning is a result of stimulus response and requires some sort of incentive system.
What is Behaviorism
300
In this portion of balanced literacy students talk and listen as they read and write.
What is Oral Language
300
Small, homogeneous groups interact with the teacher and instructional level texts or in supervised writing activities.
What is Guided
300
A personalized approach to instruction that meets students' individual needs.
What is Guided Reading
300
Using rubrics, checklists, observation, and projects teachers in this phase of the assessment cycle collect information on student progress.
What is Evaluation
400
This theory emphasizes the importance of language and social interaction on learning. Reading and writing are cultural activities and the skills are learned best when they are taught through authentic activities.
What is Sociolinquistics
400
Using cognitive and metacognitive strategies students become strategic readers and writers in this phase of balanced literacy.
What is Reading and Writing Strategies
400
The teacher reads aloud, models and demonstrates using books or writing that is too challenging for the students to access on their own.
What is Modeled
400
Small groups of children who get together to read a story or informational book together.
What is Literature Circles
400
Observing, conferencing and checking work while students are in the process of completing the learning activity helps to ensure instructional effectiveness.
What is Monitoring
500
Jean Piaget explained learning as the modification of schema. As children interact with their environment new information of schema are added to their knowledge base. How students integrate this new knowledge with existing knowledge is called?
What is Assimilation
500
Reading, writing, talking and technology are all tools that students use for this type of learning.
What is Content Area
500
Children read and write using self-selected texts and stories.
What is Independent
500
Authentic reading and writing activities that allow for student choice and involve conferences with the teacher throughout.
What is Reading and Writing Workshop
500
The three ways to differentiate instruction are?
What is Content, Process and Product
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