Alba Series for older girls who are struggling with reading is now in the last stages of production. It will be available in March. Watch this space! In the meantime here is an inside page from the series. Special features in the series: – clear phonic focus (spellings of ‘ae’ in this book) – 3-4 lines of text for […]
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What teacher and pupils say about the Magic Belt Series
This week we received an email from Anne, a teacher who reported impressive reading progress with her pupils using the Totem and Talisman series (see post below). She wrote in response to our request for testimonials on the new Magic Belt series. This is what she wrote:
Read MorePhonic Books get thumbs up in Ofsted report
The Sounds-Write training programme has recently had a very successful Ofsted report. The inspectors also commented on the resources promoted and displayed as part of the training. Part of these resources were Phonic Books decodable reading books. Here is what the inspectors said about them: “The materials in the Sound-Write programme are clearly designed for regular periods […]
Read More‘Alba Series’, decodable books for dyslexic girls – see phonic progression
We are very excited about our brand new ‘Alba Series’. So many resources are aimed at dyslexic boys. The ‘Alba Series’ is specifically designed for older girls who are struggling with reading. It will be available in March 2013. To see the phonic progression of the series click here: https://www.phonicbooks.co.uk/alba-series.php Watch this space as we will be able to show […]
Read MoreNew phonic reading series for older girls – available in March 2013!
We are delighted to announce that our new phonic series for girls will be available in March 2013! The new Alba series is aimed at older girls who are struggling with reading. Most of the reading materials published for this age-group are created to appeal to boys. This series is specifically designed to appeal to girls. It has a strong, if […]
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 […]
Read MoreThe importance of age-appropriate phonic reading material for ‘catch-up’ pupils
When older pupils, who are struggling with literacy, come to the learning centre where I teach, they often have low self-esteem. Offering them babyish looking books will compound their sense of failure. If they are given books that young primary school children are reading, what does that say about them?
Read MoreDandelion Books chosen as TES ‘Resource of the week’
Our customers have alerted us to the fact that Dandelion Books have been chosen as English ‘Resource of the Week’ (11th May 2012) in the online TES review section. Hurray! To read the review visit: http://www.tes.co.uk/teaching-resource/English-Resource-of-the-week-6225721/
Read MoreHow to use real books and decodable books with beginner readers in the classroom
Recent articles in the media about the approach to teaching reading suggest that educators are divided into two camps: the ‘real book’ camp and the synthetic phonics camp. The real book camp is supported by a number of prominent authors, such as Michael Rosen. They have voiced their concern that using decodable reading books limits […]
Read MoreHow to choose a good phonics reading scheme
If you are thinking of using a phonics reading scheme of decodable books, you may be wondering how to choose one. Here are some questions you should be asking:
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