Basal+Reading+Approach

//The Basal Reading Approach is a method of teaching reading to children. The program's name comes from the word "base" or "basic." It involves using a series of books, or readers, tailored to a specific reading level. This approach has been used for centuries and is still in use today.//
 * Many teachers use a basal reading series as the core of their program
 * helps with phonemic awareness, fluency, text comprehension, and vocabulary
 * Most series include a sequential set of reading texts and supplementary materials such as workbooks, flash cards, skill packs, wall charts, related activities, placement and achievement tests, and computer software.
 * A comprehensive teacher's manual explains the purpose of the program and provides precise instructional plans and suggestions for skill activities. The teachers manual usually is highly structured and completely outlines each lesson, perhaps including skill objectives, new vocabulary words, motivational activities, and questions for checking comprehension on each page of the text.

Directed Reading Activity

 * 1) Motivate the student to learn the material.
 * 2) Prepare the student by presenting new concepts and vocabulary.
 * 3) Guide the student in reading the story by asking questions that give a purpose or goal for the reading.
 * 4) Develop or strengthen skills relating to the material through drills or workbook activities.
 * 5) Assign work to apply the skills acquired during the lesson.
 * 6) Evaluate the effectiveness of the lesson.

Here is an example!

Basal readers contain stories with many details and often are divided into small parts. Thus, location exercises can be given to find the main idea or main characters as well as specific words, phrases, sentences, and paragraphs.

Advantages of Basal Reading Approach

 * Systematic and follows logical sequence.
 * The levels progress from emergent reader to advanced reader with smooth transitions and consistency.
 * Teachers are provided with the tools they need to evaluate students' knowledge and progress, as well as guidance as to how to teach and extend each lesson.
 * Teacher can adjust or supplement the materials to meet the individual needs of students with reading problems.
 * Convenient package of materials, techniques, and assessment devices
 * Sequenced from grade to grade, providing continuous reading instruction


 * Disadvantages of Basal Reading Approach**
 * It's designed for groups of readers, which makes it difficult to teach the gifted or self-taught reader and just as difficult to modify for the student who has learning disabilities in reading.



Teaching Students with Learning Problems, 8th Edition, Cecil D. Mercer; Ann R. Mercer; Paige C. Pullen (2011)