The Dyslexia – SPELD Foundation’s publication ‘The bulletin’, Autumn 2013, has just published an article reviewing the ‘Alba’ reading series. I have scanned it – but the print is a bit small so here is the summary: “As with the very popular existing catch-up readers produced by Phonic Books, this series will develop reading skills and confidence through […]
Read MoreLearning to Read
Whole Language – The Medusa’s head
Read this informative post by Susan Godsland on the Reading Reform message board on the multiple lives of ‘whole language’ approach to reading despite having poor evidence to back its efficacy. http://www.rrf.org.uk/messageforum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=5360
Read MoreMoon Dogs Series – do we really need another phonic series?
Some may question the need for yet another phonic series. Well, the Moon Dogs series is different. It really offers the older, struggling reader a chance for a fresh start from the very beginning. And I mean – the VERY beginning. This series is aimed at older pupils who, mid-programme you discover, do not know the […]
Read MoreNew Moon Dog Series for older, struggling readers now available
We are delighted to announce that the new Moon Dog Series for older, struggling readers is now in stock! This brand new series is designed for older pupils who need to secure the sounds of the alphabet at CVC level text. The series includes two sets of eight books. Set 1 introduces the alphabet sounds. Set 2 […]
Read MoreWhere is the evidence for using mixed methods in teaching reading?
Here is a powerful blog post by Teaching Battle Ground explaining how weak the evidence of teaching children to read with alternative or mixed methods as opposed to Synthetic Phonics. http://teachingbattleground.wordpress.com/2013/08/19/the-latest-iteration-of-the-phonics-debate/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
Read MoreReading Recovery failing disadvantaged pupils in New Zealand
A report on the failure of Reading Recovery to help the most disadvantaged children in New Zealand has just been published by Massey University Professors James Chapman and Bill Turner. If it is failing children in New Zealand why are teachers still using it here? http://nzinitiative.org.nz/Media/Insights/x_post/reading-into-reading-recovery-00231.html#.UgRLSzY1fo8.twitte Thanks to Susan Godsland from www.dyslexics.org.uk for flagging this up.
Read MoreGreat article about the huge problem of teenage and adult literacy
Read this informative article on www.dyslexics.org.uk website about the state of teen age and adult literacy in the UK. A must for anyone concerned with secondary or adult education. http://www.dyslexics.org.uk/teenage_dyslexics.htm
Read MoreWhat they tell you on Teacher Training
Below is an excerpt from a post on Scenes from the Battleground – an excellent blog. Thank you. When I finished my teacher training, I knew nothing about teaching children to read. I don’t think I was the only one. This excerpt below sounded rather familiar: Lies, Damned Lies and Things You are Told During […]
Read MoreGreat review of Magic Belt Series
Alison Clarke of Spelfabet has reviewed the Magic Belt series. We are delighted! An experienced speech pathologist, Alison tried the books out with her struggling and reluctant readers. This review presents the special features in the series in a clear way: http://www.spelfabet.com.au/2013/07/magic-belt-books/
Read More100% success in the Y1 Phonics Check – what are the secret ingredients?
Recent results of the Year 1 Phonics Check show that schools in deprived communities can do as well as, if not better than, schools in leafy suburbs. Take St George’s, a school in Wandsworth, which reported 100% success in the Y1 Phonics Check this year. This school is situated in a challenging catchment area. What […]
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