Basal Reading Programs

Basal reading programs can be very useful to teachers, especially new teachers, but should not be depended on in a classroom. Basal reading programs offer one level of reading that all of the students can follow. This is helpful when conducting large group literacy lessons, but teachers must keep in mind that every student is at a different reading level. Students who are either above or below the reading level presented may not get as much out of the text as those students who are at that reading level.

Basal reading programs have also been criticized for lacking authentic literature in the stories they provide. When stories are presented to children that lack an interesting or relative plot line, children often become unengaged and uninterested. When choosing literature for children it is vital to present them with something they can relate to and diverse experiences.

Because of their standardized nature and already laid-out nature. Basal reading programs can be excellent tools in classrooms when used with authentic and diverse literature. My CT, for example, reads a few stories out of the basal book per week with her class. She also reads the children many other books outside of the basal reading program and provides her students with original lessons.