Edition #1: December 2024
Tom Parkinson
?? Researching how tech can assist Primary school teachers in assessing Writing. ?? I love playing and listening to music. ?? I live in York, UK. Favourite city in the World is NYC. ? Everton FC & Prescot Cables.
Hello, and welcome to the first-ever?Primary Literacy Spotlight!
This month, we’re sharing some cracking resources, practical ideas, and news to keep you up-to-date and make literacy teaching a little bit easier. Whether you’re a teacher, school leader, or just passionate about literacy, there’s plenty here to sink your teeth into.
National Storytelling Week
The Society for Storytelling (SFS) is running the National Storytelling Week - it's just around the corner, running from 27 January to 3 February. It’s a lovely opportunity to celebrate the magic of storytelling. Why not invite a local author or run a storytelling competition in your school? Simple ideas often have the biggest impact. Learn more on the SFS Facebook page.
Spotlight on Graphic Novels
Graphic novels aren’t just for comic book fans. A recent report from the National Literacy Trust (NLT) shows they can be brilliant for reluctant readers. Combining striking visuals with engaging stories, they’re a great way to bring reading to life for pupils who might otherwise struggle to connect with traditional texts.
The NLT are running a reading challenge and ￡1,000 prize to 5 schools. Hurry though, the deadline for entry is 13th December!
A Success Story from Grangehurst Primary, Coventry
Grangehurst Primary School has taken a fresh approach to teaching literacy by embedding high-quality picture books into their curriculum. With support from The Literacy Tree, they developed a tailored approach that not only improved pupil engagement but also increased teacher confidence in delivering creative lessons. By weaving writing opportunities throughout the curriculum and engaging pupils with rich texts, Grangehurst has shown how a love of reading and writing can truly transform outcomes.
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Recommended December Reads
Looking for a few good books to round off the term? Here are our picks this month:
Save Time with These Free AI Tools
Over at?Air Labs, where free AI tools are added every month - all aiming to make teaching life that little bit easier! Helping you get more out of your time. Here are two new tools published in November:
Request your own tool for FREE! If there’s a tool you’d love to see, you can ask for it directly on the?Air Labs?page, and they’ll build it free of charge. Visit?Air?Labs?here.
A Library on a Budget
Longwood Primary School recently showed how book donations can work wonders. By asking parents and the community to donate gently used books, they refreshed their library without spending a penny. The kids were thrilled to have new books to dive into, proving that even simple ideas can make a big difference. Learn?more?about this and other?donation?programs?here.
That's a Wrap
Sorry, I couldn't resist the pun! ??
That’s it for this month. Hopefully, you’ve found a few helpful ideas or resources in this first edition. I’ll be back in January to share more tips and news.
Until then, take care, enjoy the end of the Autumn term, and Merry Christmas (a bit early, perhaps, but this is the last newsletter until January)! Happy reading!