Thanks to Susan Godsland of www.dyslexics.org.uk for flagging up this comprehensive article by Kerry Hempenstall Ph.D on how the three-cueing (searchlight) reading system has become so a prevalent in schools and teacher training to this day, despite the fact that it is not evidence based. In fact, it is ideologically based and can do irreparable damage to children who have not been […]
Read MoreLearning to Read
Alba Series reviewed
Alba Series from Phonic Books Reviewed by SNIP (Special Needs Information Press) July 2013 Stories by Clair Baker, illustrated by Drew Wilson Summary of the review: Alba Series is a new series of books specifically designed for girls who have gaps in their phonic knowledge. These books have a reading age appropriate for KS1 […]
Read MoreWhy English Spelling sucks… 10 point explanation for kids
Thanks to Geraldine Carter for flagging up this really useful explanation – another great blogpost from Spelfabet. http://www.spelfabet.com.au/2013/07/spelling-for-kids/
Read MoreThe secret of Finnish education: reading at the core of society and a simple phonic code
The Finnish education is one of the most successful educational systems in the world. It is very different from the system in the UK. What are its secrets? Two important factors are: reading is at the core of society and it has a simple, transparent phonic code. To read more click on this article from the […]
Read MoreEvidence-based teaching – fantastic reading results using Magic Belt, Totem and Talisman series
The table below shows a set of results sent to us from a teacher who has used our catch-up range Magic Belt, Totem and Talisman books and workbooks this past year. All her pupils struggled with reading and have various profiles of learning difficulties. These include speech and language difficulties, specific learning difficulties, emotional difficulties […]
Read MoreWhy is Continuous Professional Development important and what makes it effective?
Quality Continuous Professional Development are one of the proven ways for raising standards in our schools. So many times one has been to inset days that have left no impact and have not changed the way we teach. Here is a great post by Joe Kirby why CPD is important and what is effective CPD. http://pragmaticreform.wordpress.com/2013/06/01/cpd/
Read MoreThe Great Phonics Check Debate
This week pupils in Y1 will undergo the phonics check. Here are the two sides to the debate. http://www.phonicsinternational.com/screener_debate.pdf
Read MoreMaladministration of phonics check- what not to do!
The DfE published this document in April about not cheating when administering the phonics check. http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/teachingandlearning/assessment/keystage1/a00224454/phon-malad Interesting that teachers need reminding….
Read MoreLiteracy equals status, influence and power. What’s new since Pompeii?
This weekend I visited British Museum to see the Pompeii exhibition. It is wonderful. One of the most beautiful frescoes on display is that of a baker Terentius Neo and his wife. They must have had quite a successful bakery. To show their status and aspirations they are depicted with writing tablets, stylus and papyrus. The guide […]
Read MoreFantastic reading progress with Year 1 pupil in 5 months
A tutor wrote in to tell us about her pupil. She has been working with him since December (for five and a half months) using the Sounds-Write programme and the Dandelion Books that complement it. She wrote: “He is in Year 1 and when he came to me at the end of December he had […]
Read More