Category: Teacher training

Is reading like riding a bike?

  I’ve been following the ongoing phonics debate in Australia with interest. Many parents are calling for the introduction of the Phonics Screening Check (PSC) and state Education Ministers are opposing it. Is phonics a panacea? Introduced in 2012, can we categorically say the… Continue Reading “Is reading like riding a bike?”

Guided Spelling: spelling between the desks.

  Guided spelling or ‘Spelling between the desks’, is a new concept of mine! Informed in part by mine and others’ approaches to maths. We are essentially trying to get inside the mind of the student to help to guide and explore their own… Continue Reading “Guided Spelling: spelling between the desks.”

How to conquer divide?

    The word ‘divide’ comes from Latin: dividere “to force apart, cleave, distribute,” Division as a concept is fiendishly difficult to teach. Most children can understand ‘sharing’ objects and move on to sharing on ‘plates’ but does this naturally lead to more formalised… Continue Reading “How to conquer divide?”

Where do we go from here? dyslexia

On the 31/1/19 there will be a discussion about dyslexia at the IoE involving some eminent people in the field: ‘Dyslexia diagnosis, scientific understandings and belief in a flat earth.’ This follows a statement last year from Warwickshire and Staffordshire County Council that a… Continue Reading “Where do we go from here? dyslexia”

Analysing spellings: metacognition

  Whilst there are many creative approaches to teaching, spelling has not benefited from this in the past. How has spelling been taught historically in your school? Typically, spelling is not taught at all but delivered as lists, sent home to ‘look, cover, write… Continue Reading “Analysing spellings: metacognition”

To IEP or not to IEP. Why is that in question?

IEP stands for Individualised Education Plan. Does your school use IEP’s? Is there a whole school understanding of their purpose and a rigour around setting and achieving targets? How do teachers feel/think about them? That they are a paperwork exercise and take up too… Continue Reading “To IEP or not to IEP. Why is that in question?”

Fantastic Contractions and how to find them!

Using a strip to fold away the vowel in a contraction – I had to shorten this. Hope it makes sense!! #contractions #DyslexiaAwarenessWeek #21stCenturyDyslexia pic.twitter.com/qUjBvDikSM — 📚💭✍️ (@thinkpix_suze) October 5, 2018 Arrrrrrgh what’s a contraction??????? Question: how can I give a concrete meaning to… Continue Reading “Fantastic Contractions and how to find them!”

Dyslexia: start a discussion

  The first academic paper on dyslexia was published in 1896 in the British Medical Journal by William Pringle Morgan. Dyslexia was ‘discovered’ by psychologists, who, when presented with children with emotional and behavioural difficulties, found that despite average or above IQ’s, they had… Continue Reading “Dyslexia: start a discussion”

a,b,c…easy as??

Understanding that letters have a sound and a name is key for dyslexic people.

Dyslexia: Finding the elephant in the classroom.

How can teachers be better supported in identifying dyslexia in the classroom? Read on for less obvious clues…

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