If reading is the key to learning, then writing is the lock. Or rather, writing is the medium through which we unlock potential and empower children (and adults). We still depend on writing as the largest indicator of success and progress in learning. Therefore, it should have just as much emphasis as reading in school. For... Continue Reading →
If you’ve read my posts about building vocabulary and spelling in a reading rich curriculum, you’ll know that I am keen on instilling a love of reading, an interest in the etymology of words and an inquisitive nature about word origins and meanings. I believe the teaching of spelling and vocabulary should be through fun,... Continue Reading →
Building vocabulary is essential for all pupils to ensure that they are able to access the curriculum and reach their full potential academically. Of course, vocabulary building continues to evolve throughout our lives, but creating a curiosity around words from a young age can have a big impact. Embedding positive reading and vocabulary-building habits can... Continue Reading →
When I started out in teaching, it was easy to confuse pinterest-perfect classrooms with those that actually had an impact on learning. As well as being vibrant and welcoming, the classroom environment can also be a valuable learning tool, a way of engaging and supporting children. With careful thought and planning, an effective classroom environment is... Continue Reading →
There is an edu-bubble on twitter and it is amazing. Many teachers, education experts, academics, authors and journalists are already making the most of this exciting social media platform by connecting and conversing with the teacher community online. I've been using Twitter for years but only recently started using it to connect professionally and it's... Continue Reading →
A calendar of literacy events is something I've wanted to sink my teeth into for a long time. I've always felt it would be useful to have and to share with all staff. I think it will put an end to all those last minute attempts to conjure up activities and resources for special whole-school... Continue Reading →
Much of what I do in the classroom relies heavily on quality, authentic texts, so knowing where to find them is crucial. Ensuring that children have access to fantastic books – whether it’s for lessons, a read aloud or simply for pleasure – is absolutely essential to inspire and build a community of lifelong readers.... Continue Reading →
Astonishing, isn't it? Our ability to decipher words. It's thought that we rely heavily on a word's shape and layout to decode its meaning, rather than the precise order of the letters which is why the above passage is so easy to read, despite being absolute nonsense. Fluent readers have the ability to read words... Continue Reading →
I became a teacher shortly after my 30th birthday. I had not stepped foot in a primary school for almost 20 years and, to be honest, the grammatical terminology required to teach Year 5 English came as quite a shock. I had done well in my SATs, GCSEs and A-Levels, I'd gone on to achieve... Continue Reading →
