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 […]
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Children suggest new monsters for next Talisman series
We were delighted to receive this letter written by children from Fringford Primary School: “Dear Mrs Tweedie, We are children in Year 3 who go to Fringford school. We wanted to tell you that your books are excellent and that we have really enjoyed Series 1 and 2 of the Talisman books. We would love […]
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 MoreWhy are children still guessing and not decoding?
Reports are coming back from schools that, despite Synthetic Phonics being taught in Reception classes, many children are failing to learn to decode. This has been reflected in the results of the Year 1 Phonics Check, with 58% of children reading 32 out of 40 words correctly. Why is this happening?
Read MoreWhat is the difference between a ‘reluctant reader’ and a ‘struggling reader’?
One often hears the terms ‘reluctant reader’ and ‘struggling reader’. Is there a difference between these terms?
Read MoreDyslexia Awareness Week – tips for teaching dyslexic pupils
Dyslexia Awareness Week has just flashed by. Here are some tips for teachers teaching dyslexic pupils.
Read MoreWhat is a ‘tricky word’?
Fluent readers may find it difficult to understand why beginner readers find some words difficult to decode. These are often called ‘tricky words’ – but what’s so tricky about them?
Read MoreWhat are adjacent consonants?
Synthetic Phonics programmes now talk of ‘adjacent consonants’. What are adjacent consonants? Why is it that the letters ‘bl’ in the word ‘black’ are adjacent consonants while the letters ‘ck’ are not?
Read MoreWhy non-words should be included in the Year 1 Phonics Check
Non-words are nonsense words made up of the spellings (graphemes) a child has already been taught: words like ‘bip’, ‘steg’ or ‘shromp’. Read more to find out why non-words should be included in the Year 1 Phonics Screening Check.
Read MoreUsing both decodable books and ‘real’ books with beginner readers
Recent articles in the media about the approach to teaching reading suggest that educators are divided into two camps: the camp supporting ‘real’ books and the camp supporting synthetic phonics. The camp supporting ‘real’ books is promoted by a number of prominent authors, such as Michael Rosen. They have voiced their concerns that using decodable […]
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