If you are not convinced that phonics works for everyone or feel that you have tried it and still some of your pupils struggle – here are answers to often held views about teaching to read with synthetic phonics. Professor Pamela Snow addresses each argument. http://pamelasnow.blogspot.co.uk/2017/01/the-story-of-ugly-duckling-aka-phonics.html
Read MoreLearning to Read
Why no one can really multi task
Young people today are obsessed with social media, constantly switching from school work to Facebook, texting, Instagram or whatever the latest cool gadget is on their phones. How does this affect their learning? They tell their parents and teachers that they are multi-tasking. But is this actually true? Read this interesting article by David Didau about this important issue. This had added […]
Read MoreAre learning styles now finally out of style?
Many SEN teachers believe and promote the idea of learning styles. It feels right. It feels personal to every individual student – but it is supported by science? https://ssec.si.edu/sending-learning-styles-out-style#.WHdcuDaVr6E.twitter
Read MoreIt’s time all teachers had a good grasp of synthetic phonics
Five years after the introduction of synthetic phonics into classrooms, it is time that teachers made it their business to have a good understanding of synthetic phonics and what science tells us about effective ways to teach reading. Read this short article on the Phonics Blog by Mike Lloyd-Jones. http://www.phonicsblog.co.uk/
Read MoreEssentials that NQTs need to know about teaching reading
Are NQTs equipped with what they absolutely need to know about reading when they leave Teacher Training? John Walker discusses ‘threshold concepts’ – the fundamentals that a teacher needs to master in order to be able to teach reading effectively. These include an understanding of how the English Phonic Code is structured and what skills children must practice […]
Read MorePISA results are in…
I have made a few predictions about PISA both on this blog and on Twitter. I predicted an entrenchment of East Asian countries at the top of the table, a decline for Finland and perhaps a decline f… Source: PISA results are in…
Read MoreA Word on Curriculum
I teach English Language Arts in Alberta, Canada at the high school level. The program of study, at this stage, is largely geared towards literary interpretation and analysis, represented through t… Source: A Word on Curriculum
Read MoreHow the Phonics Check can help teachers and Australia should adopt it
Here is a fantastic blog by Spelfabet on how the Phonics Check makes teachers’ lives easier and why Australia should adopt it. Thanks Spelfabet! http://www.spelfabet.com.au/blog/
Read MoreOne Word at a Time – Teaching Vocabulary – The Confident Teacher
This blog is a copy of my recent Teach Secondary article (click on the link HERE to subscribe) on the importance of vocabulary, with some handy teaching and learning strategies. Source: One Word at a Time – Teaching Vocabulary – The Confident Teacher
Read MoreReading fluency and the ‘Tragedy of the Commons’
Is reading fluency important for academic success? I’d imagine everyone reading this would agree it was very important – crucial in fact. This description from Quirky Teacher of many children’s rea… Source: Reading fluency and the ‘Tragedy of the Commons’
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