Literacy, reading, writing skills

Reading across the curriculum

This issue discusses some of the strategies SENCos and classroom teachers can share with colleagues to enable them to support the development of reading across the curriculum

Providing reading and literacy support to older children

SENCO Week discusses the important educational base provided by reading skills, and considers strategies to help older children who are struggling with reading, in order to improve their general literacy

Teaching spelling: how to

The importance of teaching spelling, and its affect on literacy, was highlighted in recent interim reports from the Primary Review; so what should schools be doing to teach the core skill of spelling? Debbie Hepplewhite looks at current thinking, requirements and problems

Helping pupils who struggle with spelling + Helpsheet 19

Do your pupils struggle with spelling? Linda Evans offers support for SENCos and classroom teachers when helping them

Inspiring interest in literature with Manga

Manga is a Japanese style of print cartoon or graphic novel. Angela Youngman looks at how Manga novels might be used to inspire children in school towards an interest in literature

Facilitating reading for additional support needs

Until recently, schools faced copyright barriers when scanning textbooks for pupils with additional support needs. Paul Nisbet discusses recent changes to the law, and their implications for pupils in Scotland and the rest of the UK

Visual literacy

Children live in a visual world and the ability to read visual images is becoming a vital skill. Rebecca Jenkin offers guidance on how to help key stage 2 students think critically about visual data

Teaching early years children to read using phonics

Despite his initial scepticism about using synthetic phonics to help young children learn to read, Steve Mynard enthuses about its benefits

Using volunteer helpers to support developing readers

How can schools collaborate with their communities to achieve better reading results for their pupils? This e-bulletin encourages SENCOs to consider recruiting and training volunteer helpers as 'Reading Buddies'

Primary teaching resource: writing skills

This chapter from Thinking Through Primary Teaching is an excellent resource for primary school teachers to help develop pupils' skills in writing and structuring their written responses

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Creative thinking in literacy, art and design

This free 11 page literacy resource focuses on creative thinking in literacy, art and design

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Improving speaking and listening skills at KS2

The renewed Primary Framework places an enhances emphasis on speaking and listening. With this in mind, Rebecca Jenkin offers some ideas on how to promote these core skills at key stage 2

Writing skills: dyslexia and dyspraxia

When pupils find it difficult to write legibly and reasonably quickly, it can significantly disadvantage them in school. We look at how SENCOs can organise additional support

Establishing a school-wide approach to spelling

Spelling is an area where many well-educated adults lack confidence, let alone children who are still developing as writers. It's important to have a whole-school policy for teaching this important skill. read more

Spelling: interventions and technology + Help Sheet 8

Pupils who have significant difficulties with spelling will need some sort of structured programme. This week we provide some tips and a HELPSHEET which outlines a possible group or individual education plan. read more

SENCO's role in reading part 1: developing skills

In this issue of SENCO week, we will consider the SENCO's role in developing reading, beginning with how you can support excellent 'first teaching' read more

SENCO's role in reading part 2: interventions

Once a teacher has identified that a child is experiencing difficulty with reading, the next step is often to approach the SENCO for an assessment of the child read more

SENCO's role in reading part 3: the parents' role + Help Sheet 7

This week, we look at some ways to get family members involved in a child's interest in books and developing reading skills read more

The mechanics of writing: problems and solutions

The ability to write is still of prime importance, it's a complex activity and many children with SEN need extra help and support

Training and managing teaching assistants

In many schools, it is the SENCO who has the main responsibility for managing Teaching Assistants (TAs). SENCO Week provides tips on selecting your TAs effectively

Specific and planned intervention

Practical advice on specific and carefully planned interventions for those pupils' needs that cannot be met in 'ordinary' classrooms

The CPD aspects of a whole-school project

What happens when all the pupils and staff at a school read the same book at the same time, and what impact can this kind of whole-school project have on CPD? Lesley Hutchison explains

Reading intervention programmes

With 20% of children leaving school with lower than expected literacy levels, additional support is needed. Reading Recovery, a reading intervention programme developed in 1993, offers exactly that, say Rebecca Jenkin and Isobel Goss read more

'Fact': can you define and teach it?

David Leat examines the nature of 'facts' and considers why it is important that teachers and pupils really understand what a 'fact' is

Nurturing young writers

How can we encourage and develop young writers? Carol Archer describes an ambitious project designed to extend creativity and enable children to evaluate their own narrative and poetry read more

Free concert tickets for budding music critics with Bachtrack

Invite your pupils to become published music critics with the Bachtrack Young Reviewer programme read more

Investing in e-books for children

Ensuring that all pupils can read by the time that they leave primary school is a priority for headteachers across the country. Ben Barton looks at how new technology might make this easier read more

Energising literacy through collaboration

Collaborative work can have an energising effect across the curriculum. Jo Counsell describes a collaborative project that used dance to enhance literacy learning read more

Helping students to become storytellers: games and activities

Storyteller Taffy Thomas provides games and activities to stimulate children's and younger people's capacity to tell stories

How effective is Reading Recovery?

The Reading Recovery programme has established a reputation as an effective intervention for pupils at risk of failing to learn to read. A new research review examines its strengths and weaknesses

The renewed Primary Framework and SEN

Sal McKeown looks at some of the implications of the renewed primary Framework for those working with children with special educational needs read more

Teaching literacy to children and young people with severe learning difficulties

What is literacy for children who do not learn to read and write? Drawing on a recent study, Dr Lyn Layton calls for a radical reinterpretation of what is meant by literacy, arguing that we should prepare all teachers to recognise a broad interpretation of literacy that is in line with the diverse needs and activities of learners

Reading 'catch up' at Lyndon Green school

Sarah Whitehead describes a project that she undertook as part of a postgraduate professional development course for SENCOs. She highlights the value of having time for systematic professional reflection, and how this can be used to good effect when introducing 'Catch Up', an intervention designed to support reading development read more

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Literacy, reading, writing skills