Teachers generally behave in a didactic manner, disseminating information to students Teachers generally behave in an interactive manner, mediating the environment for students. Teachers seek the correct answer to validate student learning. Teachers seek the student's points of view in order to understand students' present conceptions for use in subsequent lessons. Assessment of student learning is viewed as separate from teaching and occurs almost entirely through testing. Assessment of student learning is interwoven with teaching and occurs through teacher observations of students at work and through student exhibitions and portfolios.
Students primarily work alone.
Students primarily work in groups. A balanced literacy program provides settings for students to work in large groups, flexible small groups, and individually. Children are engaged in meaningful reading, writing, speaking and listening activities where emphasis is placed on developing independence. For example, the level of teacher support is high during a whole-group activity such as a Read Aloud. The level of teacher support is low during an independent activity such as journal writing or reading familiar books during independent reading.