Nov 13, 20193 minThe Early Bird...: Getting Ready for Reading SATS 2020As we wind down to the end of the year, SATs 2020 looms on the horizon beckoning to Year 6 teachers to strategise and prepare come...
Oct 11, 20194 minThe power of diversity in reading for the Black childAs a child, I had the privilege of growing up surrounded by books that celebrated my culture and identity. Jamaican schools of both...
Aug 30, 20196 minTime to Grow Up: Developing that Growth MindsetWe are at the beginning of a new school year and some of us are getting to know the children we hope to build into even more confident...
May 28, 20196 minFrom Pandas to the Piper: A Deeper Comparative of 2018 and 2019 KS2 Reading SATs PapersWhile walking around the room observing a year 6 cohort take the 2019 reading test, I read over their shoulders and glimpsed at the text...
Apr 6, 20195 minMastery of reading is not just for the 'able' few: Why harmonious practice mattersBright I's has had a very successful start since its establishing in August 2019. But like all teachers, I have taken the time to reflect...
Apr 2, 20194 minSequencing Text in KS1 SATs: The Early Reader Skill Sequencing a text is often challenging for early readers as they start to access a wider range of reading. The 1c cognitive domain asks...
Mar 30, 20195 minDancing with a stranger? Reading programs vs investing in staff knowledgeThe teaching of reading continues to be a much explored subject, however the question remains: To program or not to program? A good...
Feb 24, 20193 minRemoving the fear: 5 things to take the angst out of SATsAs we all work towards the dreaded SATs let us not forget some important things. 1. SATs is not just a year 6 responsibility no matter...
Feb 17, 20196 minCelebrating the 'good stuff' about reading teaching: Affinity TSA's TeachmeetAfter reaching out to professionals on social media about CPD opportunities in reading - as you do in this millennial age- I was...
Dec 29, 20186 minGhost Boys: A Book Review from the SoulIt's been a while since I have blogged but now I am back. Sounds a bit cryptic but to be honest, taking a break is often necessary to...
Nov 17, 20183 minDon't just talk it - draw it! Schematic Sketching and how it helps comprehensionIt is often a challenge within the group reading model to identify the depth of understanding of each pupil particularly when it comes to...
Nov 8, 20184 min'Tell 'em what it means? Really!' Vocabulary - teaching meaningfullyLet's face it. Vocabulary cannot be taught in isolation. We can get caught up in teaching all the tough words we see in a text but how...
Nov 6, 20185 min'Plan all my questions? You've got to be kidding me!' Planning effectively for Group Reading Often I have observed teachers sweating profusely over a text trying to develop questions to match the Bloom's Taxonomy approach to...