Which approach describes instruction where groups are formed based on ability for short periods and then changed as needs change?

• A. Bottom Up
• B. Balanced Literacy Approach
• C. Comprehension
• D. Alphabetic Principle

Answer: (B)

Balancing grouping to meet students’ current needs is a hallmark of Balanced Literacy. In this approach, teachers use flexible, short-term groups formed around students’ ability or skill needs and reconfigure them as progress happens, guided by ongoing assessments. This allows targeted instruction during guided reading or targeted mini-lessons while still addressing other literacy components through shared reading, read-aloud, and independent practice. That adaptability—changing groups as needs change based on evidence—fits Balanced Literacy best.

The Bottom Up approach centers on decoding skills first rather than grouping by need for targeted, time-limited instruction. Comprehension is a key literacy goal but not a standalone instructional framework for grouping. The Alphabetic Principle concerns the relationship between letters and sounds, not how groups are formed or adjusted.