We are delighted to announce that the Magic Belt Series has been shortlisted for the BESA (British Educational Suppliers Association) Educational Resources Award for 2013. This product is a finalist in the Best Special Education Award category. The winner of the award will be declared at the gala dinner at the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham […]
Read MoreLearning to Read
New buzz word for ‘tricky words’ in the new National Curriculum
This week I learned from Susan Godsland www.dyslexics.org.uk that the new term for ‘tricky words’ in the new National Curriculum is ‘common exception’ words. This term that is rather confusing. Firstly, why exception? Exception from what? Secondly, as Susan pointed out – it is not the word that is tricky/complex/ irregular/exceptional. It is the part of the word – the […]
Read MoreWhy is the term ‘tricky words’ tricky?
The term ‘tricky words’ is used for some common high-frequency words that a beginner reader may encounter. For example words like ‘the’ or ‘said’. These words have complex spellings (graphemes) that the child may not yet have learned. Because these words are so common, there is need in the early stages of reading to provide children […]
Read MoreHow decodable books can expand vocabulary
Critics of synthetic phonics have claimed that the language of phonic reading books (decodable books) limits children’s vocabulary. Instead of enriching their vocabulary, they read about a ‘cat’ that ‘sat on a mat’. To this, I would say, “Have you seen the variety of decodable books that publishers have produced in recent years? Many of them […]
Read MoreWhen is a child ready to learn to read? – Wendy Tweedie discusses her experience as mother and teacher
This is a difficult question to answer, because each child comes with his/her own strengths and weaknesses. Children learn to talk and express themselves at different ages, learn to walk at different ages and it is the same with reading.
Read MoreFind out about the background to the Phonics Debate – a great website – www.dyslexics.org.uk
Happy New Year to all our followers! I recently came across a really good website that explains the different approaches to teaching reading. It discusses the history and rationale behind the different approaches: the Whole Word approach, the Mixed Method approach and the Synthetic Phonics and Linguistic Phonics approaches. It also looks at the evidence that […]
Read MoreBoys two and a half times more likely to have SEN statements in primary school – recent SEN stats
Below is some recent data released in October 2012 by the Secretary of State about SEN children in England. It is based on a number of sources dating 2006-2011. This information was published in SNIP newsletter December issue (no. 257):
Read MoreTeacher explains her method for achieving fantastic reading results using Totem and Talisman series
Teachers have written in and asked Anne which method she uses to achieve such success (see table in Remarkable Results…. post below) using the Totem and Talisman series. Here is her answer:
Read MoreFantastic reading results using Totem and Talisman Series – case studies
A few weeks ago, out of the blue, we received a letter from an SEN teacher. It included these fantastic results of reading progress of her pupils during 2011/2012, using the Totem and Talisman series. RA = reading age SS = standard score Pupil Year Start RA SS End RA SS Progress 1 6 Sept […]
Read MoreGreat review for Magic Belt Series
Teach Primary has just published a great review for the Magic Belt series. To read it online visit: http://www.teachprimary.com/tried_and_tested/view/magic-belt-series If you are using the books and have comments about this new series – please get in touch. We would love to hear how you are using them with your pupils. Write to me, Tami at enquiries@phonicbooks.co.uk
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