What are Basal Readers?
Basal
Readers are textbooks used to teacher reading and associated skills to
school children. Commonly called "reading books" or "readers" they are
usually published as anthologies that combine previously published short
stories, excerpts of longer narratives, and original works.
McGuffey Readers (type of Basal Reader)
Also called core or commercial reading programs, basal programs provide a sequenced evidence-based (tested and found to be effective) approach to reading instruction, particularly helpful to beginning teachers who have not had time to develop their own teaching strategies. Each lesson plan is explicit and detailed, sometimes even scripting the words teachers should say to their students in presenting decoding and comprehension concepts. They are based on a structured sequence of learning objectives that are consistent from grade to grade and that are increasingly aligned with core curriculum standards. Basal series offer pre-tests, post-tests and a rich assortment of remedial and enrichment activities for each lesson and unit, as well as quarterly and year-end assessment instruments.
Pros and Cons of Basal Readers
Strengths
1.) Basal reading is research-based and scientific, despite heavy criticism against it. The good thing with a scientific approach to teaching how to read is that assessment of progress and learning in a student is possible and easier. Additionally, the approach takes less planning time and allows teachers to focus more on their students.
2.) Experienced teachers are able to get a start when they switch from teaching at one grade level to another.
3.) Features remedial and enrichment worksheets and activities that the teacher may wish to add to his/her repertoire.
4.) Offer administrators, such as principals and reading directors, evidence that important reading skills are being taught in a logical way.
5.) Provide one means of evaluating teachers and give teachers a series of evaluations they can use to talk to parents about their child's progress.
Weaknesses
1.) Intended for groups of readers, not individual.
2.) Does not provide a variety of teaching methods for different types of learners.
3.) Can be difficult to teach gifted, talented, advanced students and students with learning disabilities.
4.) Since the program is progressive, students who have less language understanding at the beginning of the program could start at a disadvantage.
5.) The major criticism brought against basal reading borders on its lack of depth and meaning. It's simple in design and sometimes uses unnatural, twisted, and nonsensical language. As opposed to literature-based approaches, text in basal reading is not meant to be read and enjoyed.
1.) Basal reading is research-based and scientific, despite heavy criticism against it. The good thing with a scientific approach to teaching how to read is that assessment of progress and learning in a student is possible and easier. Additionally, the approach takes less planning time and allows teachers to focus more on their students.
2.) Experienced teachers are able to get a start when they switch from teaching at one grade level to another.
3.) Features remedial and enrichment worksheets and activities that the teacher may wish to add to his/her repertoire.
4.) Offer administrators, such as principals and reading directors, evidence that important reading skills are being taught in a logical way.
5.) Provide one means of evaluating teachers and give teachers a series of evaluations they can use to talk to parents about their child's progress.
Weaknesses
1.) Intended for groups of readers, not individual.
2.) Does not provide a variety of teaching methods for different types of learners.
3.) Can be difficult to teach gifted, talented, advanced students and students with learning disabilities.
4.) Since the program is progressive, students who have less language understanding at the beginning of the program could start at a disadvantage.
5.) The major criticism brought against basal reading borders on its lack of depth and meaning. It's simple in design and sometimes uses unnatural, twisted, and nonsensical language. As opposed to literature-based approaches, text in basal reading is not meant to be read and enjoyed.