Here is our new presentation: An introduction to Dandelion Books. It explains the rationale behind the reading scheme, its special features and the difference between the Dandelion Launchers and the Dandelion Readers series. You can view it on You tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVve7Pt1Jxw
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Why I love the Smart Chute
I have recently (belatedly) discovered the Smart Chute. This is a post box game that flips cards over. It is a self-checking activity which covers many areas of the literacy curriculum: phonics, morphemes, Greek and Latin derivatives, grammar, vocabulary etc. I love it because it is a great opening to any 1:1 lesson. Today I […]
Read MoreDandelion Book of Dictation now in stock!
To all our customers who have been waiting for this workbook – it is now in stock and available. This workbook offers step-by-step dictation exercises that follow the progression of the Dandelion Readers reading scheme. It will allow teachers and TA’s to have dictation activities at their fingertips. This is great resource for developing spelling (encoding) and punctuation of young readers […]
Read MoreMoon Dogs Workbooks now available!
The much awaited workbooks that complement the Moon Dogs Set 1 and Set 2 are now in stock. These workbooks support the reading books which introduce the sounds of the alphabet, adjacent consonants and consonant digraphs. They include activities which develop the underlying skills needed for reading and spelling. A great resource for older, beginner readers […]
Read MoreWho’s afraid of dictation?
Phonic Books has just published a new workbook , the ‘Dandelion Book of Dictation’. It consists of dictation and punctuation exercises which follow the progression of the Dandelion Books reading scheme, Units 1-20. Yes, we love dictation. It is a really useful way to get children to practise spelling words and sentences as they develop their reading. It […]
Read MoreHow decodable texts help beginner and catch-up readers
The new National Curriculum now requires teachers to use decodable texts with children learning to read. Children are offered ‘controlled’ texts that include words they can decode independently, using the phonic knowledge they have been taught. These decodable texts enable pupils to focus on a specific spelling or group of spellings at each level. Pupils […]
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 MoreAlba 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 MoreHow can I tell which phonic programmes and resources are of high quality?
Many schools are having to choose a phonics programme to use in mainstream classrooms or with their catch-up pupils. How can they tell which programmes are of high quality and that they adhere to the principles of Synthetic Phonics? Debbie Hepplewhite has written a really useful list of criteria. Click on the link below: http://www.syntheticphonics.com/pdf%20files/Criteria%20for%20evaluating%20a%20phonics%20programme.pdf
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