Balanced Literacy

I went to a conference today and an Aussie taught it (ahhh...Australia!) It was pretty good. His whole thing was over guided reading, which I already do, but not good enough. He focused on the different types of learning for a student and how you have to meet the student where they are, then move them up. You have to develop strategies that work for them, don't fit the kid into a strategy that does not work. You need to set expectations that are high, but obtainable. It made me think-I need to focus on asking more questions, getting my students to think, process, and learn for themselves. I hope to get that going by next week.