Shifting the Balance (K–2): 6 Ways to Bring the Science of Reading into the Balanced Literacy Classroom (Paperback)

Description

Shifting the Balance (K–2) provides educators with a clear, practical roadmap for aligning balanced literacy practices with the science of reading. Written by literacy experts Jan Burkins and Kari Yates, this book bridges the gap between research and classroom practice without abandoning what teachers already do well.

Rather than replacing balanced literacy, the authors show how to shift instructional emphasis in six key areas that research identifies as essential for early reading success. Each shift includes classroom-ready strategies, examples, and explanations that support phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.

This book is widely used by teachers, reading specialists, instructional coaches, and school leaders seeking evidence-based literacy instruction that works in real classrooms.

Key Focus Areas

• Explicit phonemic awareness instruction

• Stronger phonics and decoding practices

• Intentional fluency development

• Vocabulary instruction grounded in knowledge building

• Effective comprehension strategies

• Balanced, research-aligned literacy routines

Who This Book Is For

• Kindergarten, Grade 1, and Grade 2 teachers

• Literacy coaches & reading specialists

• Curriculum designers

• School administrators

• Teacher preparation programs

✍️ Authors

• Jan Burkins

• Kari Yates

🏢 Publisher

Stenhouse Publishers

📚 Book Specifications

• Format: Paperback

• Language: English

• Grade Level: K–2

• Publication Year: 2021

• ISBN-13: 978-1625315106

• ISBN-10: 1625315102

• ASIN: B08Y7Z3RKC

• Pages: 240