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, Grades 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 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. This audiobook is skillfully narrated by Liz Morey. Produced and published by Echo Point Books & Media, an independent bookseller in Brattleboro, Vermont.