Some teachers claim that teaching children to read non words (nonsense words), as they appear in the Y1 phonics check, is a waste of time. But, actually, getting children comfortable with reading non words is really useful. When they decode multi-syllabic words they often need to read syllables that initially don’t make sense. They need to […]
Read MoreLearning to Read
Debbie Hepplewhite replies to anti-phonics check claims
Read Debbie Hepplewhite’s answer to the NUT anti-phonics check video clip. She addresses all the points. Thank you for this clear, rational explanation. http://www.phonicsinternational.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=585
Read MoreThere is enough evidence to eliminate illiteracy
Here is an excerpt from thinkreadtweet blog. It expresses the our view so well. Thank you. “What have I learned? That there is already enough evidence for us to know how to eliminate illiteracy, but that it is largely ideology that prevents us from doing so. That empirically tested methods of instruction enable failing readers […]
Read MoreHow to teach new vocabulary so that it sticks
Thanks to Edutopia website – here are some ideas about how to teach new vocabulary: http://www.edutopia.org/blog/vocabulary-instruction-teaching-tips-rebecca-alber?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=blog-vocab-tips-repost
Read MoreAdult literacy: 9 billion and 10 years later…
Read this depressing report about adult literacy in the UK. http://rrf.org.uk/messageforum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=4995&start=0 Thanks to Susan Godsland from www.dyslexics.org.uk for flagging it up.
Read MoreSpelfabet advises: books to avoid
Its seems like anybody and everybody publishes workbooks that claim they will teach children to read and spell. Spelfabet points out which ones to avoid: http://www.spelfabet.com.au/2013/04/books-to-avoid/
Read MoreWhy the NZ National Literacy Strategy has failed
Let’s learn from this report! http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/19404158.2013.842134#.UyDihizivIW Thanks to Susan Godsland of www.dyslexic.org.uk for flagging it up.
Read MoreWeb of Substance counters arguments against Synthetic Phonics
Read this clear, well written blogpost by Web of Substance. http://websofsubstance.wordpress.com/2014/03/08/phonics-skepticism/#comments
Read MoreKnowledge is the core of richer understanding
“How does one get a rich understanding? By relating what you are reading to other material that you already know.” Dandelion Willingham article: http://www.aft.org/pdfs/americaneducator/winter0607/CogSci.pdf This means that to broaden children’s comprehension we need to teach them vocabulary and loads of history, geography, science, literature etc. Then they can relate what they are reading to what […]
Read MoreCan comprehension instruction damage our pupils?
A great deal has be said and written about the importance teaching children comprehension once they are fluent readers. Well, here is an interesting article by Daniel Willingham about the limited benefits of comprehension instruction. http://www.danielwillingham.com/1/post/2012/04/collateral-damage-of-reading-comprehension-strategy-instruction.html Thank you Susan Godsland of www.dyslexics.org.co.uk for flagging this up.
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