You will now receive all updates by email
I will still continue to update the website on a regular basis.
You can also follow at @STLAliteracy or click the image opposite to take you straight there
The Fluency CPD takes place tomorrow (14.1.21) through Zoom from 1.30-3.30pm. Here you will build on your knowledge of what reading fluency is, and, take back a wealth of strategies and activities to use back in the classroom. If you haven't already, book a place by emailing Julie Rose Julie.Rose@southtyneside.gov.uk, quoting the course code 20TB
Are you committed to developing children’s desire, delight and engagement as readers? Then why not join our online OU/UKLA Reading Group. Informal, friendly and supportive we welcome teachers, librarians, student teachers and support staff to join us and commit to attending all five virtual CPD sessions.
We will be developing evidence-informed practice, widening our knowledge of children’s literature and other texts, enriching our RfP pedagogy and documenting the impact on the young people as readers. To find out more come along to the introductory meeting next Wednesday 20th January at 3.30pm (online). Here I will outline what the nature of the group will be
To book email me anna.hawkins@southtyneside.gov.uk
Are you aware that Google Classroom and Microsoft Teams can be accessed through an X-Box or Playstation?
To find out more and how to do it click on the image above
BBC TV is to help children keep up with their studies during the latest lockdown by broadcasting lessons on BBC Two and CBBC, as well as online
To find out more click above
We all know the importance of children being encouraged to read at home, especially during 'lockdown'
The OUP Research Rich Pedagogies website has a fantastic section dedicated to this, with ideas for parents & carers
To take a look click on the image above
The Talk 4 Writing Website has set up a specific page with a wealth of 'free' literacy resources
To access resources click on the image opposite
If you are using Letters and Sounds in your delivery of phonics don't forget there are free online lessons available!
Written and presented by phonics experts and funded by the Department for Education, the online lessons are designed to cover new phonics teaching that children would have received had they been in school. This resource is for use by teachers and parents who will find planning and teaching phonics challenging when 'bubbles' are sent home due to Covid-19.
To take a look click on the image
A number of schools have received interim Ofsted visits this term. Some of our colleagues have kindly provided some detailed notes for you to look at. Thankyou to: Biddick Hall Infants, Toner Avenue, Simonside Primary & Margaret Armstrong
To read in detail click on the image
He s greedy and naughty and selfish and spoilt -- and Santa Claus knows it. But when beastly Bradley empties his Christmas stocking to find nothing but a pair of socks, he does quite the baddest thing he has EVER tried to do. He builds a trap -- a SANTA TRAP! With guillotines, dynamite and a tiger or two, Santa doesn t stand a chance. Or does he?
For planning ideas from Year 1-6 click on the book cover
KS1 tests in English reading and mathematics, and the English grammar, punctuation and spelling tests at key stage 1 and 2 will be removed for one year, in recognition of the challenges posed by the pandemic
Schools can take a flexible approach to the administration of the key stage 2 tests and phonics screening check, by extending the original timetable by a week, until 26 May and 25 June, respectively
Although primary performance data will not be published, teacher assessment in English reading, writing and mathematics at key stage 1, and all other assessments at key stage 2, will remain.
The Government has also announced that full, graded Ofsted inspections will not resume until the summer term.
In the interim, Ofsted will conduct supportive monitoring inspections to those schools and colleges currently judged “inadequate” and some that “require improvement”. These inspections will focus on important issues like curriculum, remote education and pupil attendance, particularly of vulnerable children.
Ofsted will also continue to have the power to inspect a school, further education or early years provider, if they have serious concerns, including about safeguarding and remote education
Primary schools are expected to provide a minimum of three hours a day on average of remote education
English Mastery will be hosting a webinar for curriculum and subject leaders on making the curriculum work remotely. This webinar will focus on some of the difficult decisions curriculum and subject leaders have had to make this year to maintain curriculum integrity.
The webinar will take place through Zoom on 9 December 2020 at 4pm.
If you are unable to attend, a recording of the webinar will be available to watch after the live event through the Dfe Youtube Channel and I will also upload to the Literacy Website
To register click on the image opposite
CLPE have partnered with HarperCollins to create a free 2-3 week unit of work for Oliver's new book What We'll Build: Plans for our Together Future.
To download the sequence click on the image above
Dandelion Learning have created a free Ofsted aligned Phonics and Early Reading English audit tool for Primary Schools
This is a fantastic resource for you to use as a subject lead
To download click the image above
The National Literacy Trust have launched a brand new children’s radio and podcast series Story Explorers, which is all about stories for 7 to 11-year-olds, available weekdays at 6.15pm on the national children’s radio station Fun Kids.
For more information and to listen to the show click above
Still finding teaching remotely tricky?
Teachers have shared what has worked for them when teaching remotely in 45 minutes webinars
To watch the Primary Webinar click on the link opposite
STA are still finalising arrangements for the 2021 assessments in light of the ongoing disruption schools are facing due to coronavirus. They understand schools are waiting for this year’s assessment and reporting arrangements (ARAs) and apologise for any inconvenience the delay is causing. The ARA's will be published on gov.uk as soon as possible and schools will be notified by email when they are available
Anti-Bullying Week is coming up soon and it's the perfect time to update your book collection!
Take a look at the Books for Topics website for a anti-bullying booklist
They have picked a selection of recommended books for primary schools to explore the topic of bullying, including picture books, longer texts and non-fiction.
To go straight to the list click on the image above
EEF literacy specialist, Caroline Bilton – a primary school teacher, assistant headteacher and English lead – explains how pupils can be supported to develop into strategic readers through the explicit teaching of comprehension skills.
Click above to read the full article
Children will love diving into this stunning, richly illustrated treasury featuring a spectacular range of poems from around the world. It includes work by Roger McGough, William Blake, Dick King-Smith, Ted Hughes, Grace Nichols, Lewis Carroll, Christina Rossetti, Emily Dickinson and many more!
Click on the image above to download a free set of KS2 teaching resources based on the poems
Why not celebrate Black History Month by using a high quality children's text.
The National Literacy Trust have have brought together a series of book lists for children to share black stories and promote black voices.
All books featured in the book lists are by black authors and/or illustrators and exemplify the principles of the Black Lives Matter movement.
The age-appropriate book lists have been curated to help children, young people, families and teachers explore race, identity, family and community.
Click on the image to access the booklists
This academic year vocabulary will be a key area where gaps will need addressing!
In this blog primary school teacher and English adviser Shareen Wilkinson (Mayers), tells us about one strategy for explicitly teaching vocabulary in context
Click above to read the full article
ICT in Schools have updated their popular checklist as to what should appear on a school website.
Click on the image above to ensure you have all the literacy requirements
Have you remembered that it is National Poetry Day next Thursday 1st October?
Why not plan a whole week around poetry! For ideas and inspiration click on the image above to take you to a dedicated website
This year Roald Dahl Day is on Sunday 13th September - you may want to celebrate at some point in school next week
Every September children's favourite Roald Dahl characters, stories and moments are shared together with fans all over the world
For resources, lesson plans and ideas click on the image opposite!
The updated guidance for administering the Phonics Screening Check for Year 2 children was released yesterday (click on the image above to take you directly to the guidance)
As a local authority one of our responsibilities is to ensure training and advice is available to schools on all aspects of the check
As previously mentioned, I will be running two Zoom sessions in the first half of the Autumn term (15th of September & October), to ensure staff feel confident in correctly administering the check.
Click on the button below to book your place
The Nuffield Early Language Intervention (NELI) is a 20-week programme for children in their first year of primary school who show weakness in their oral language skills and who are therefore at risk of experiencing difficulty with reading
Eligible primary schools can now apply for training and resources for oral language support, at no cost to your school, following an announcement by the DfE
For more information and to register your interest click on the image
The Literacy Curriculum have put together a list of 13 class novels that could be used to start off the new academic year
Reading as a class will be a much needed essential for children this term!
If you are using Holes as your class novel or as a stimulus for writing (I know a lot of you do!), why not have a look at this supporting vocabulary book
Vocabulary will be crucial in developing children's reading and writing this term
Click above to access the book as a powerpoint document
Find above an example of a 'Sentence Progression Document' that could be a useful reference document for your school
Focusing regularly on practising different types of sentence from the moment children start to write should help them become fluent and thoughtful writers.
Click above to find a list of all the upcoming Literacy Events for 2020/21. This will be useful for when you are planning whole school activities and events!
Books for Topics have put together a list of picture books to share with children returning to school this September - grouped into the themes of starting a new class, worries, resilience, bereavement, happiness, following rules, handwashing, fear, the Coronavirus, hope and laughter.
Click above to go directly to the list
An interesting blog written by The Writing for Pleasure Centre discussing writing tests. This article was originally published 15/02/2018 but was re-written because there has been a lot of discussion about the Writing Framework recently and this has caused some to romanticise the days of writing tests.
Click above to read the full article
Discover these FREE teaching notes for a series of History books written by Marcia Williams. These notes were written by the CLPE teaching team to support the cross curricular study of History in association with Walker Books
Click on the image and scroll down to section 3 for the resources
The NTP have launched a brand new website, which will be your main source of information about the opportunities available for support through NTP Tuition Partners and Academic Mentors.
The new website also includes details about the funding round for NTP Tuition Providers, which will open on 31 August 2020. While the full criteria will be released shortly before this, the website also includes eligibility and quality criteria to support organisations considering applying to become a NTP Tuition Partner.
Click above to take you directly to the website
On International Literacy Day - Tuesday 8 September, Pearson Education is launching their 'My Twist on a Tale writing competition' for its second year!
This free competition, now open to four- to 19-year-olds across the UK, will encourage young people to let their imagination run wild as they write a story based on our new theme for 2020: Everyday Heroes.
Entries will need to be submitted online by 17:00 on Friday 27 November 2020, so the expert judging panel can decide on the winning collection of short stories.
The winning tales selected from schools and regions across the UK will be illustrated and published for all to enjoy.
For more information and to register click above!
For all the latest National Curriculum assessment updates click on the image above
Schools will need to administer a past version of the phonics screening check to year 2 pupils during the second half of the 2020 autumn term.
As staff may not have delivered the check previously, I will be running two Zoom sessions in the first half of the Autumn term (15th of September & October), to ensure staff feel confident in correctly administering the check.
Click on the image above to book your place
The engagement model is the new assessment (replacing P scales 1 to 4) for pupils working below the standard of national curriculum assessments and not engaged in subject-specific study.
It was intended that it would become statutory from September 2020, however, due to the coronavirus the 2020/21 academic year will be a transitionary year, where schools will have the time to prepare for, and start embedding, the engagement model.
Further guidance will released in September.
Click the image to take a look at the guidance
CLPE have created a FREE, 2 week long, whole school unit of work that will encourage a sense of community across the entire school, allowing reflection on the last few months, and also helping your whole school look forward to the future in a positive way.
Do you want to update your knowledge of children's books? Books for Topics have put together a list of recommended new children's books to keep your reading piles fresh over the summer holidays.
Herts for Learning have put together a wonderful resource packed with a range of suggested learning opportunities inspired by the book 'How to be a Butterfly'
It is a non-fiction text of sorts, but doesn’t adhere to the standard format of this genre. There are no headings, sub-headings, topic sentences, and yet it is informative, and most importantly, a delight to read!
Books for Topics have created a Summer Reading Bingo resource. It is designed to encourage primary pupils to enjoy different experiences of reading for pleasure.
For more information and to download the resources click the image above.
How school leaders can best support pupils to regain lost learning
This blog looks at looks at the role of quality assessment in helping teachers understand how best to help your pupils regain any learning lost during Covid-19 school closures.
Hachette Schools have produced this teacher resource pack. It is bursting with classroom ideas and cross-curricular activities for KS2, comprising themes of travel, world building, magic and environmental issues. So pack your suitcase for a magical adventure in The Strangeworlds Travel Agency!
Click on the image, where you can download the teacher resources and the home learning resources
Many parents/carers are trying to support children as writers while they are at home. Reading for Pleasure have created a home resource to help and it’s been produced using the findings from research
To take a look click above - it may be useful to send home to parents if they want to support their child's writing throughout the summer
In the light of the COVID-19 crisis and with many schools closedthe 100 Great Black Britons home school competition has been launched. It is open to all age groups. This competition, sponsored by The National Education Union (NEU), the largest education union in Europe, is a fantastic way for children and young people to learn more about the legacy and achievements of Black people in Britain and how they helped shape our country.
To find out more click above
The Challenge
Write a story with the theme 'The Night I Got Locked in the Museum'
Competition opens 24th June 2020
Competition closes 31st July 2020 (Midnight BST)
For more information and to enter click on the image above
This guidance has been provided by the English Hubs. It provides schools with practical tips on how to handle books so children can continue to read books in school and take reading books home.
Walker Books have loads of teachers notes for various books that could be used across primary. They include reading, writing and cross-curricular ideas
Click above to take a look - it may save time with your planning!
If you're thinking about teaching poetry various poets have offered their brilliant poetry starters on this website
Packed full of super, creative ideas to get children enjoying and writing poetry!
Children with existing mental health problems will undoubtedly have suffered as a result of the upheaval and stress of Covid-19, while for others, the last few months will have meant additional pressures and a lack of routine that will have adversely affected their mental health.
Talk for Writing have produced FREE Home-school units. The units are age-related but can be chosen for what is right for each child. They all include a model text which is also available as a streamed audio recording.
Just Imagine have an array of quick quides for books that you may be using in your classroom - including Tuesday, Journey, The Lost Thing and more
They include articles, writing starters and other useful bookish advice!
Driver Youth Trust have produced the Our Classroom Strategies resource It is packed with advice for small, manageable adjustments you can make in your classroom to better engage learners with literacy difficulties.
Click above to take a look
This book is available as a free PDF ebook via the National Literacy Trust (click above)
It tells a tale about a mischievous pig, is beautifully illustrated and of course provudes so much to look at and talk about!
A blog by Herts for Learning
Primary maths advisers, sharing their favourite books which have lots of opportunities to explore a range of mathematical concepts…
Is The Week Junior part of your reading offer? It is a valuable source of information, entertainment, and food for thought. Essentially it is a weekly news magazine with clear-sighted accounts of the most timely events and issues, and does talk down to children. It takes a global perspective on news, and does not fight shy of the more controversial news items out there. weekly The Big Debate page is golden for supporting in class debates.
Take a look to see if it a resource your school could benefit from!
Over the last few months, the author Gareth Jones has created a number of online videos, including interactive stories and songs. These can be found on the website by clicking above.
The most recent of his online resources is a rather silly video about using humour to teach some of the drier aspects of the literacy curriculum. It features a joke book co-author, Rachel Delahaye and is aimed at Years 5 & 6 - but silly enough to be enjoyed by younger and older people too. The link is below
If you haven't used their songs and music before take a look! Children absolutely love them!
They have created a range of music videos, each one is filled with questions, curriculum links and story starters to help stimulate creativity and writing for pleasure in your classroom.
Even though Refugee Week is over, you may find this list of recommended reads essential if you are ever teaching this topic
Scott Evans (The Reader Teacher) has put together a comprehensive list of quality texts, which can be used across primary. He has even recommended which age group they are best suited to - which will save you loads of time!
Litfilmfest have put together loads of Quick-Fire Writing challenges for KS2. Children watch the video, then they write around 200 words based on the 4 questions at the end of the video, around 50 words per question!
Children can submit their writing to the website. This could be an idea for home learning.
Click on the link which takes you to the website and all the resources
This looks at the evidence around variable home learning environments and potential learning loss, and suggests some next steps to help get learning back on track.
If you haven't registered your interest yet for the free teaching unit from the CLPE,(based on the book 'Here we Are' by Oliver Jeffers) click above.
This unit of work is designed to be used across the whole school and will be an invaluable resource when the children return in September
This online reading resource was recommended by one of our local schools.
With a wide range of books to choose from it allows children to access books from home for free.
if you sign up as a teacher, parents can have free access for the summer holidays too!
For more information click on the logo above
Just Imagine have announced a new free webinar looking at how you might rethink the way you teach Roald Dahl Stories.
For more information and to book click above
Blog by Just Imagine providing details of research, current practice and informed discussion. is an extremely interesting read!
With National Writing Day coming up soon why not take on the #247challenge
The challenge has 3 simple rules
Write a story or poem in 24 words
Start with the words one day
You only have 7 minutes to write
For more information click the link above
A FREE 1 hour interactive webinar on 18th June, 4 pm to 5 pm.
The webinar will discuss
1. Just because students struggle to read doesn’t mean they’re thick
2. Working memory affects reading ability
3. Comprehension depends on general knowledge (and strategic knowledge)
4. Vocabulary matters
5. Everyone loves stories
To register click on the image
The webinars focus on supporting pupils, staff and the wider community during, and after COVID-19 and include subjects such as: The Recovery Curriculum, Mental Health and wellbeing, SEND, Autism, Looked After Children, Appraisals, Teaching and Learning, Governance, Payroll, recruitment, HR concerns and much more!
The 30th June event has lots of literacy links
For more information and to book click the image
I have now added a new page to the website - 'Transitions' as this is something schools are beginning to think about. You will find it in the resources section.
This will include ideas for transitions across Primary School and on to Secondary.
If you have any ideas/resources to add please send me an email
anna.hawkins@southtyneside.gov.uk
The Literacy Shed are offering zoom training for only £7.50
The training will have a focus on an introduction to using film to enhance Primary English lessons - exploring the benefits of film as a stimulus for writing - exploring a range of films and images alongside high-quality texts to demonstrate their value to the teaching of writing and demonstrate some practical strategies for including them in English lessons.
You will have to be quick though, most dates have sold out but there are a few left!
Click on the image to book
Boost reading and comprehension skills – even with reluctant readers – with the new Reading Rocks! Comic Comprehension free lesson plans for ages 7-9 from Beano
click above for resources
A lovely idea for poetry!
Click on the image for more information
Coronavirus is the 2020 Oxford Children’s Word of the Year.
Previous Children’s Word of the Year include Brexit (2019), plastic (2018), Trump (2017), and refugee (2016), indicating the influence of global affairs on children’s creativity
‘That night I had an interesting dream, a magical sparkling unicorn came and whispered to me the secret ingredients of the cure for the coronavirus.’
The Magical Cure, girl aged 8
OUP are about to launch 2 new publications
Little Blending Books for Letters & Sounds
New eBook library for Letters & Sounds
For more information contact Linda Chapman
linda.chapman@oup.com
Transition is a tricky time for all children but it will be especially challenging this year. A good transition can mean the difference between floundering and flourishing. As such it is crucial to get it right. So, what can we do to make transition work?
Click to read
Books for Topics have compiled a list of 45 books, including biographies, non-fiction, books that open conversations about racism and books that represent BAME main characters.
Click on the image to take you to the list
This competition is looking for original poems focused on the interpretation of 'Vision', which is the theme for National Poetry Day 2020 (Thursday 1st October)
To find out more visit the website above
If you haven't yet seen Alex Quigley's website 'The Confident Teacher', you need to take a look!
You will find useful research and resources
A blog written by Tobias Hayden
Are you thinking of changing the way you mark in school? This blog looks at how whole class marking could be the answer
Books for Topics have put together a selection of recommended books for children in Year 6 preparing for the transition to secondary school. Click on the image to take you to the list
Read this short TES article for more information (you need a TES account to read)
The EEF has examined the potential impact of school closures on the attainment gap. For more information and key findings click above
Read this TES article for more information
With everything that's been on the news lately a fellow colleague has shared a list of 30 books that promote black representation. To download the resources click on the link above
Vocabulary Ninja are offering a free download of their well being resources, which includes a vocabulary display pack. To download click on the image which will take you to the relevant page
This competition is asking entrants to write no more than 500 words about ANY British wildlife. It could be about an ant walking across a patio, an urban fox, a myriad of creatures in a rockpool, or a peregrine falcon. The entry can be written as a poem, a story, written prose…or any piece of writing, but it must refer to British wildlife.
For more information take a look at the website
Place2Be has put together a series of resources focused on community recovery, to help headteachers and school staff start to bring their schools back together following recent challenging times.
Drawing on themes including hope, gratitude and connectedness, these assembly and class activity ideas are intended as a universal resource for all children, and staff are invited to use them as starting points to promote emotional wellbeing and resilience for all.
Click on the logo to download the resources
This was shared by a fellow teacher!
She has been working on a return to school/ recovery/ reconnect project
It's a powerpoint with 3 main areas - covering changes in school, facts about the coronavirus and good hygiene, and finally some stories about some characters that experienced different feelings during lockdown. It is suitable for EYFS, KS1 and KS2.
Click on the image to download the resources from dropbox
Developed to support early readers, this app has 3,500 free digital books for kids
Work out your child's level then choose from a selection of titles
You can create a personal library and there are games interspersed to keep young readers motivated
J.K Rowling's new book will be published for free on the website above , in instalments, over the next seven weeks, a chapter (or two, or three), at a time.
The most exciting part is that she'd like you to illustrate The Ickabog. Every day, she will be making suggestions for what you might like to draw. You can enter the official competition, for the chance to have your artwork included in a printed version of the book due out later this year.
Check out the website and let your imagination run wild!
The National Literacy Trust is pleased to support My Dear New Friend. The project encourages children to write letters to people living in care homes.
Research shows that writing letters makes children feel happy and helps them express their feelings. Children who write letters regularly are more likely to be more confident writers and have more positive attitudes to writing.
For more information click on the image!
Have you tried this?- its great for vocabulary development!
Here's an example using the root word 'act'
Act
Action
Reaction
Actor
Activate
Reactivate
Give children other root words. Which root word leads to the largest word list?
I am offering 1:1 meetings through google meet in the next half term. These are for literacy leads who would like to discuss any literacy concerns they have, any training needs for the next academic year, or basically anything literacy! If you would like to book a slot send me an email with a date and time (half an hour slot) when you are available and I will send through an google meet invitation
anna.hawkins@southtyneside.gov.uk
The Summer Reading Challenge is still taking place this year, online!
For more details click on the image above
It is a great way for children to keep up their reading over the summer
The Summer Reading Challenge takes place during the summer holidays. You can sign up at your local library, then read six library books of your choice to complete the Challenge. There are exclusive rewards to collect along the way, and it’s FREE to take part!
This years conference is taking place online form June 9th - 11th
Click on the link above to book a place and have a look at the confirmed speakers
I'm looking forward to the reading fluency!
What about a bubbles topic when the children return?
Two texts that fit in with this theme are Bubble Trouble by Margaret Mahy and Cinder the Bubble-Blowing Dragon by Jessica Anderson
There is also a really good clip called 'Bubbles' on the Literacy Shed Website
Click the photo above to take you straight to it!
Or, continue the topic through the whole curriculum
The CLPE have created a variety of free resources to support schools. To receive them you need to sign up (click above).
They will include teaching ideas based on quality texts and a whole school transition unit for September
The National Literacy Trust have launched our new Great Copyright Hunt competition in partnership with ALCS.
They are sending children on a quest to find the copyright symbol on different types of creative material that can be found around their homes.
Fantastic prizes for children and their schools are up for grabs in our prize draw.
To see how to enter click the image for more details