The key difference lies in the approach to teaching foundational reading skills: balanced literacy often uses a more haphazard approach, while structured literacy uses a systematic and explicit method.
Deeper Dive into the Differences
Here's a more detailed breakdown of the differences between balanced literacy and structured literacy:
| Feature | Balanced Literacy | Structured Literacy |
|---|---|---|
| Phonemic Awareness | Haphazard, incidental instruction | Systematic, sequential, and explicit instruction |
| Phonics | Embedded within reading, often implicit | Direct, explicit, and systematic instruction |
| Fluency | Encouraged through repeated reading of leveled texts | Developed through decoding skills and practice with phonics |
| Vocabulary | Taught through context clues and incidental exposure | Explicit instruction in vocabulary and morphology |
| Comprehension | Focus on whole language and meaning-making | Built upon a strong foundation of decoding and language |
| Assessment | Leveled reading assessments, running records | Diagnostic assessments that target specific skills |
| Approach | Top-down (whole language to parts) | Bottom-up (parts to whole language) |
| Teacher Training | Often limited phonics training | Extensive training in the science of reading and structured literacy principles |
Key Points Explained
- Phonemic Awareness: Structured literacy emphasizes the critical role of phonemic awareness (understanding and manipulating the individual sounds in words) as a foundation for reading. Balanced literacy may include phonemic awareness activities but often lacks a systematic and sequential approach. David Kilpatrick's work highlights the importance of phonemic awareness for struggling readers.
- Phonics: In structured literacy, phonics is taught explicitly and systematically, progressing from simple to complex sound-letter relationships. Balanced literacy often teaches phonics incidentally, embedding it within reading activities.
- Systematic vs. Haphazard: The core distinction is the intentional, organized, and cumulative nature of structured literacy compared to the more opportunistic and less predictable nature of balanced literacy. Structured literacy builds skills in a logical order, ensuring students master each concept before moving on.
Why the Difference Matters
The science of reading has increasingly supported structured literacy as a more effective approach, particularly for students at risk of reading difficulties, including those with dyslexia. A structured approach provides a solid foundation for all students and reduces the likelihood of reading struggles later on.
