"This book addresses a student-centered, middle ground point of view in the "reading wars" with an eye towards grades 3-5, that looks on these disagreements as opportunities for evolution instead of justifications for divisiveness. The writers introduce a handful of instructional shifts offered from an invitational stance to help readers consider research beyond a one size fits all mentality and confront their own biases and misunderstandings as they explore ways Balanced Literacy practitioners can reimagine upper grades literacy instruction by incorporating some powerful tenants from the Science of Reading"-- Provided by publisher.

"In this much anticipated follow-up to their groundbreaking book, Shifting the Balance: 6 Ways to Bring the Science of Reading into the Balanced Literacy Classroom, authors Jan Burkins and Kari Yates, together with co-author Katie Cunningham, extend the conversation in Shifting the Balance 3-5: 6 Ways to Bring the Science of Reading into the Upper Elementary Classroom. This new text is built in mind specifically for grades 3-5 teachers around best practices for the intermediate classroom. Shifting the Balance 3-5 introduces six more shifts across individual chapters that: Zoom in on a common (but not-as helpful-as-we-had-hoped) practice to reconsider Untangle a number of "misunderstandings" that have likely contributed to the use of the common practice Propose a more science-aligned shift to the current practice Provide solid scientific research to support the revised practice Offer a collection of high-leverage, easy-to-implement instructional routines to support the shift to more brain-friendly instruction The authors offer a refreshing approach that is respectful, accessible, and practical - grounded in an earnest commitment to building a bridge between research and classroom practice. As with the first Shifting the Balance, they aim to keep students at the forefront of reading instruction. "-- Provided by publisher.