1. Make time for spiral review
2. Plan for Ready Alouds / shared reading
3. Whole Group Mini-Lesson
4. Small Group Instruction

It’s a balance of language and literacy skills: foundational reading skills, engaging with complex texts, learning comprehension/thinking strategies, and writing.

Usually, when this question is asked, we’re really asking about differentiated practice time. That’s an important part of the overall literacy block, and it can include:
A. Arranging student desks in groups of four to six.
B. Set up a classroom library.
C. Designate a reading area for silent reading.
D. Set up a writing center with writing tools, computers, and resources.
E. Create a research center, which could also be in the class library or writing center.
F. Setup a listening center. For many students, literacy requires building background knowledge and listening comprehension skills.

There are many components of a balanced literacy lesson (or reading workshop), but some programs summarize them into four. They are the connection, the teach (demonstration), the active engagement, and the link. (Source: Massachusetts Dept of Education)

It creates a structure in the reading classroom, so the most important skills, strategies, and activities can be practiced within a daily routine. A literacy block should provide a balanced program of literacy instruction including a variety of teaching/learning approaches to support reading and writing. (Source: Research Gate, 2021)

1. Read to Self
2. Work on Writing
3. Read to Someone
4. Listen to Reading
5. Word Work