Here are some free speed reading exercises on the Sounds-Write website: http://www.sounds-write.co.uk/pdf-downloads.aspx
Read MoreLearning to Read
Best methods to teach children to read
Here is the conclusion of an article by Daniel Willingham ‘How did we learn to read? Studies reveal best teaching methods for kids’: “The data indicated that 1st graders read by sound. With each successive year, kids showed more and more evidence of using the spelling of words in their reading. But there was no […]
Read MoreIlliteracy in Ireland and what to do about it
Patrick McEvoy tells a sad, familiar tale of illiteracy in Ireland. Thanks to Susan Godsland of www.dyslexics.org.uk for flagging up this post. http://www.phonicsireland.com/index.php?q=articles
Read MoreThe importance of skills practice when learning to read
Learning to read, initially, has two components: knowledge: learning the graphemes and the sounds they represent skills: learning to blend sounds into words and segment sounds for spelling. Many teachers offer lots of fun ways to learn graphemes. They do this in step-by-step progression, starting from the simple graphemes and progressing to the more-complex ones. […]
Read MoreWhat to say to phonics sceptics
In the UK, we often hear people making anti-phonics claims in the media. Usually, these demonstrate a fundamental lack of understanding of Synthetic Phonics. Mike Lloyd-Jones, in his book Phonics and the Resistance to Reading, lists these incorrect assertions and challenges them. Based on his book, here is how we can answer their claims: “The […]
Read MoreReview of Mike Lloyd-Jone’s book ‘Phonics and the Resistance to Reading’
Here is a review on the Literacy blog by John Walker. This book is a must read book for anyone who believes in literacy for all. http://literacyblog.blogspot.co.uk/
Read MoreWhat is wrong with ‘look and say’?
Here is an excerpt from Mike Lloyd’s book ‘Phonics and the Resistance to Reading’ (page 42): “Recognising whole words by memorising the appearance of the word (sometimes known as the ‘look-and-say’ approach) is highly problematic. The capacity to remember words as whole-patterns is highly limited and in any case highly inefficient. As Professor Martin Kozloff […]
Read MoreGet a free set of Magic Belt books for struggling readers
To get a free set of the Magic Belt reading series join the Top Notch Teaching competition: Reading Book Giveaway
Read MoreWhy does Direct Instruction evoke such rancour?
To understand why many educators instinctively oppose direct instruction – read here http://www.nifdi.org/research/recent-research/hempenstall-blog/389-why-does-direct-instruction-evoke-such-rancour
Read MoreReconciling Common Core State Standards and Reading Research
This is an interesting document from the USA, written by Louisa Moats Ed. D about putting research at the core of raising standards of literacy. http://www.pps.k12.or.us/files/special-education/MoatsReconciling_the_CCSS_with_Reading_Research_OR.pdf
Read More