Learning to read, initially, has two components: knowledge: learning the graphemes and the sounds they represent skills: learning to blend sounds into words and segment sounds for spelling. Many teachers offer lots of fun ways to learn graphemes. They do this in step-by-step progression, starting from the simple graphemes and progressing to the more-complex ones. […]
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What to say to phonics sceptics
In the UK, we often hear people making anti-phonics claims in the media. Usually, these demonstrate a fundamental lack of understanding of Synthetic Phonics. Mike Lloyd-Jones, in his book Phonics and the Resistance to Reading, lists these incorrect assertions and challenges them. Based on his book, here is how we can answer their claims: “The […]
Read MoreReview of Mike Lloyd-Jone’s book ‘Phonics and the Resistance to Reading’
Here is a review on the Literacy blog by John Walker. This book is a must read book for anyone who believes in literacy for all. http://literacyblog.blogspot.co.uk/
Read MoreJoin the movement for research led education at ResearchEd 2014
See the line up of speakers at the ResearchEd national conference 2014, book your ticket and join us there. http://community.tes.co.uk/tom_bennett/b/weblog/archive/2014/04/18/researched-2014-is-go-better-faster-stronger.aspx#.U1FRoVDnuNE.twitter
Read MoreWhat is wrong with ‘look and say’?
Here is an excerpt from Mike Lloyd’s book ‘Phonics and the Resistance to Reading’ (page 42): “Recognising whole words by memorising the appearance of the word (sometimes known as the ‘look-and-say’ approach) is highly problematic. The capacity to remember words as whole-patterns is highly limited and in any case highly inefficient. As Professor Martin Kozloff […]
Read MoreTop Notch Teaching competition – Free Magic Belt series
Here is the Top Notch Teaching competition – we will be sending out a free set of the Magic Belt Series to the winner! https://uk-mg-bt.mail.yahoo.com/neo/launch?.partner=bt-1&.rand=4br5ovs14aj6b
Read MoreGet a free set of Magic Belt books for struggling readers
To get a free set of the Magic Belt reading series join the Top Notch Teaching competition: Reading Book Giveaway
Read MoreWhy does Direct Instruction evoke such rancour?
To understand why many educators instinctively oppose direct instruction – read here http://www.nifdi.org/research/recent-research/hempenstall-blog/389-why-does-direct-instruction-evoke-such-rancour
Read MoreReconciling Common Core State Standards and Reading Research
This is an interesting document from the USA, written by Louisa Moats Ed. D about putting research at the core of raising standards of literacy. http://www.pps.k12.or.us/files/special-education/MoatsReconciling_the_CCSS_with_Reading_Research_OR.pdf
Read MoreAre eBooks getting in the way of reading?
This is an important post for teachers, parents and publishers involved in getting children to read: Do eBooks have too much going on the page that distracts from the print? Does the ‘read to me’ option develop ‘look and say’ method of reading instead of decoding? Thanks to Annie Murphy Paul for flagging this up.
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