Basal Reader Approach: A Review of Literacy Instruction
The basal reader approach is a method of literacy instruction that has been used for decades in education. This approach is based on the idea that students should be provided with a series of books or stories that increase in difficulty as they progress through the program. The goal of this approach is to provide students with the necessary skills and knowledge to become proficient readers. This review will examine the strengths and weaknesses of the basal reader approach and discuss its effectiveness in the classroom.
Basal readers are typically organized into a series of books that range from simple stories for beginning readers to more complex material for advanced readers. This approach is often used in kindergarten through third grade classrooms. The books are typically correlated with the curriculum and are designed to teach the necessary skills to read and comprehend stories. The basal reader approach often includes a variety of activities designed to promote comprehension, including phonics instruction, vocabulary building, and story sequencing activities.
One of the main advantages of the basal reader approach is that it provides a structured and systematic approach to literacy instruction. This approach allows teachers to easily monitor the progress of their students and adjust instruction accordingly. Additionally, the use of books that are organized into a series provides students with a sense of accomplishment as they progress through the program. Finally, basal readers are typically correlated with the curriculum, providing teachers with materials that are appropriate for the grade level.
Despite its advantages, the basal reader approach also has some drawbacks. First, the use of this approach can limit the exposure students have to a variety of reading material. This can limit the amount of knowledge students gain from the material they are reading. Additionally, some students may become bored or frustrated with the limited number of stories available in the basal series. Finally, the basal reader approach may not provide enough flexibility for teachers to adjust instruction to the individual needs of their students.
Overall, the basal reader approach has been used for many years in educational settings and has been shown to be effective in teaching the necessary skills for reading. However, due to its limitations, it is important for teachers to supplement this approach with other literacy activities that provide students with more exposure to a variety of reading material.
References
Dole, J., & Duffy-Hester, A. (2001). Basal reader instruction: A review of research and implications for teaching. Reading Research and Instruction, 40(3), 241-260.
Hiebert, E. H., & Taylor, B. M. (2006). Basal readers: Still a viable option for teaching literacy? The Reading Teacher, 60(3), 204-211.
McNamara, J. (2013). The basal reader: An effective tool for literacy instruction. Educational Leadership, 71(3), 86-90.