Comprehensive Literacy Framework

           Johnson and Keier's textbook, Catching Readers Before They Fall, dedicates a chapter to the comprehensive literacy framework and how to apply it inside the early elementary classroom. It encompasses teacher directed, teacher facilitated, and student directed work in reading and writing. The components of the literacy framework include reading to, with, and by children through read alouds, shared reading, guided reading, and independent reading, and writing to, with and by children through morning messages, community writing, and independent writing (Johnson and Keier, 2010, p. 73). There are separate sections dedicated to each smaller component of the framework.
           The authors are adept at showing the applicability of the strategies and methods presented. I appreciated the author’s inclusion of an example of a classroom implementing the framework successfully. Also, there are sample schedules included on pages 81, and 91 that detail how a teacher can cover all of the tasks involved in comprehensive literacy. The authors encourage teachers to “integrate literacy in all subjects” (Johnson and Keier, 2010, p. 91). Students can read and write about math, social studies, and science experiences, observations, and facts. The teacher can use community writing or read aloud as opportunities to discuss different subjects and practice literacy skills simultaneously. Covering different subjects in one lesson or project is more efficient and allows for authentic experiences with reading and writing.

Picture credit

Alex Martinez

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References
Johnson, P. & Keier, K. (2010). Catching readers before they fall: Supporting students who struggle, K-4. Portland, MN: Stenhouse Publishers.