1. Step-by-step You don’t need to teach the whole alphabet to get reading going. Start with a few letters and get children to build words with them. Our series starts with the sounds s, a, t, i, m. 2. Word-building rocks! Word-building is the best way to teach reading and spelling. Write the letters on […]
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As a special needs teacher who mainly works with KS2 children, I’m always looking for materials that not only interest my students, but also enable them to practice the early phonics they have missed out on. The Moon Dog books are wonderful because although they are for beginner readers, the pictures and text engage older children. […]
Read MoreHere is a really helpful post by Alison Clarke of Spelfabet on how to help older, struggling readers: http://www.spelfabet.com.au/2015/09/helping-teenagers-with-literacy/
Read MoreSome months ago I wrote about my struggling reader. He came to the Bloomfield Learning Centre at the age of 10+ with a reading age of 6. Well, he crashed into my classroom (with his scooter) after Christmas announcing he had read two books over the holidays – ‘Holes’ and ‘Wonder’. Amazing! And true! He has […]
Read MoreThe Dyslexia – SPELD Foundation’s publication ‘The bulletin’, Autumn 2013, has just published an article reviewing the ‘Alba’ reading series. I have scanned it – but the print is a bit small so here is the summary: “As with the very popular existing catch-up readers produced by Phonic Books, this series will develop reading skills and confidence through […]
Read MoreWe know that any newly acquired knowledge or skill must to be practised for it to be committed to memory. In order to develop reading fluency, automaticity has to be established and this is brought about through practice and consolidation. Sometimes teachers worry about boring their pupils by revisiting what they have taught. For many […]
Read MoreI had one of those lovely experiences on Thursday, while teaching at the Bloomfield Learning Centre. One of my pupils aged 11 (Year 6) had arrived at the centre as a non-reader. He attended a school where reading had not been taught through phonics or in a systematic way. Unusually for an 11 year old […]
Read MoreHere are frequenty asked questions aswered about the brand new Alba Series: Who is it for? The Alba series is aimed at older catch-up pupils who have gaps in their phonic knowledge. It is suitable for pupils in KS2 and KS3. With a strong female protagonist, it will be suitable for both boys and girls. Girls will […]
Read MoreOne often hears the term ‘reluctant reader’ and ‘struggling reader’. Is there a difference between these terms?
Read MoreThe Magic Belt series has just been reviewed for the first time by John Dabell at Teach Primary. He summarises with his verdict – the books are ‘Rare Reads’ as they successfully and thoughtfully address a much neglected need for decodable age-appropriate reading materials for older pupils.
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