balanced literacy

American  

noun

1. a method of teaching reading in which phonics and whole language approaches are both used to maximize student learning.

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Etymology

Origin of balanced literacy

First recorded in 1995–2000

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

balanced literacy

“But it’s a steep learning curve,” she said, especially for teachers who have long taught a balanced literacy approach.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 2, 2025

But the research has become clear: Looking at the pictures or context of a story to guess a word — as is encouraged in whole language or balanced literacy instruction, leads to struggles with reading.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 2, 2025

For example, in May 2022, Lucy Calkins, an education professor and leading advocate of balanced literacy, announced a major retreat.

From Scientific American ● Sep. 26, 2023

But in recent years, parents and educators who champion the “science of reading” have fiercely criticized Professor Calkins and other supporters of balanced literacy.

From New York Times ● May 22, 2022

By that she means that not only does balanced literacy skimp on phonics, it makes it harder for students to learn because it offers a shortcut strategy to reading through guessing.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 1, 2019