In this enlightening podcast, Evidence Based Teaching, What Is It? – Part 1, Misty Adoniou, a renowned literacy expert, joins the discussion to shed light on evidence-based teaching. Misty’s extensive background in language, literacy, and TESOL education brings invaluable insights into this crucial topic. Misty Adoniou’s Background: Misty Adoniou, an Associate Professor in Language Literacy and TESOL, boasts an illustrious career in literacy research and practice. Her extensive experience includes leadership roles in various educational associations and significant contributions to curric ..read more

In a captivating podcast episode New Writing Units Uncovered, Part 2 with Sharon Callen, educators are invited into an enriching dialogue on nurturing students’ writing skills with joy and purpose. Delving into the second part of their discussion on new writing units, Sharon shares invaluable insights and strategies for crafting engaging writing experiences in the classroom. Purposeful Planning: Sharon emphasises the importance of purposeful planning, where students are primed with weeks of immersion in fantasy narratives (read alods etc) before embarking on their own writing journey. Thi ..read more

Are you ready to embark on an exciting journey through Teachific, your ultimate destination for educational resources? in a 9 minute video, join me, Phil, as we navigate through the wealth of materials available to enhance your teaching experience and empower your students’ learning. Today, we’re diving into the heart of Teachific: the Resources section. As an educator or leader, finding the right resources tailored to your needs is paramount, and Teachific makes this process seamless. Upon entering the Resources section, you’ll be greeted with a plethora of icons representing the latest addit ..read more

Incorporating rhymes into reading instruction offers a plethora of benefits for young learners, making it a valuable tool in the classroom. Firstly, rhymes aid in developing phonemic awareness by helping children discern individual sounds within words. This skill lays a solid foundation for reading, as exemplified in familiar rhymes like “Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall.” Rhymes also enhance memory through their repetitive and rhythmic nature, facilitating the retention of vocabulary and language patterns essential for literacy. Moreover, rhymes expand language skills by introducing children to ne ..read more

A teacher’s insights: In this insightful blog, Sharon shares her experiences and strategies for incorporating read-alouds into her classroom routine when she taught students in years 3-7. She emphasises the importance of literature in shaping young minds and fostering empathy and imagination. Sharon discusses the benefits of reading aloud, including improved comprehension and language skills, and offers practical tips for selecting and effectively sharing stories with her students. She concludes with child-friendly reasons why listening to read-alouds enhances reading proficiency and enriches ..read more

Enjoy these wonderful tips on gaining success in Independent Reading sessions adapted from the work of accomplished educator, Diane Snowball. Regular sustained Independent Reading sessions, ideally 15-30 minutes (longer for older students), improve students’ reading skills. Access to various texts at school and home is crucial, organised libraries facilitate this. Students should have multiple reading materials available to choose from. Silent reading is beneficial, but occasional reading aloud or thinking aloud aids comprehension. Students should engage in ‘quiet Independent Reading time’ wi ..read more

Try our new Writing Units, Yr F-6, (PDFs) for teachers. Employ the ‘Reading Like a Writer’ process … where students see how authors craft their stories. Then students have a few short attempts at honing the technique before going on to their extended writing. Model ‘Good Writer’ mini lessons For example (in Yr 6 poetry), good writers: Observe the world closely to gather ideas for poems that convey feelings and images through poetic language. They experiment with different forms like Haiku and free verse, employing rich imagery and emotional depth. They revise rigorously, removing un ..read more

Looking for a fun and effective way to boost your students’ vocabulary? Say hello to Personal Word Walls! These nifty tools are like personalised dictionaries designed to bring high-frequency words right into your students’ hands. Just like regular Word Walls, Personal Word Walls alphabetically organise words, but here’s the twist: they’re tailored to each student’s needs. Imagine a folder filled with words that are not only important but also personally relevant to each learner. Pretty cool, right? Creating Personal Word Walls is a breeze. All you need are manila folders, word wall alpha ..read more

Here are our top 7 literacy teaching tips to start the year in the best way possible! Start small and enjoy! Do a Motivation to Read survey with your class – know everything you possibly can about your children as readers (information is power!). See the Motivation to Read Profile and instructions. Listen to the podcast: ‘Motivation: Key to Reading Success‘ Set up your reading and writing workshop routines so that they become second nature to the children. Routines mean greater student agency and less work for you! Download Reading Routines. And listen to The Art of Crafting – the Read ..read more

Hi everyone, Welcome back to a brand new school year filled with endless possibilities and exciting new adventures! We hope your well-deserved break was restful and rejuvenating. Cue is here to support you in whatever way we can, whether it be through resources, podcasts, courses or supporting you directly in your school! Email us here with any queries:) Sharon NAVIGATE THE RANGE OF MATHS ABILITIES WITH EASE! Unlock the secrets to managing diverse talents in your R-6 maths lessons with the expert guidance of Rob Vingerhoets! As educators, we face numerous challenges, but addressing t ..read more