Blog

The Power of Daily Literacy Reviews: Enhancing Memory, Retention, and Learning

The Power of Daily Literacy Reviews: Enhancing Memory, Retention, and Learning

In the realm of education and cognitive science, the significance of revision and repetition in the learning process cannot be overstated. These fundamental strategies play a pivotal role in transferring information from short-term to long-term memory. One innovative method that incorporates these principles is the practice of daily literacy reviews.

Activities for Maori Language Week

Activities for Maori Language Week

Te Wiki o te Reo Māori – Maori Language Week is celebrated from the 14th – 21st of September 2024.I’ve put together this blog post to highlight free and low-cost resources to use during this week (and hopefully all year!). There are many free and low-cost resources available; learning and promoting te reo Māori does not need…

Using Morphology to Teach Vocabulary

Using Morphology to Teach Vocabulary

The importance of improving students’ vocabulary cannot be overstated. Having a large vocabulary helps students to develop their reading comprehension and writing skills. In fact, research has shown that children with larger vocabularies achieve better results at school, including higher reading achievement in particular. Targeting morphology is one way to teach vocabulary. What is morphology? Morphology…

The Treaty of Waitangi in the Aotearoa New Zealand Histories Curriculum

The Treaty of Waitangi in the Aotearoa New Zealand Histories Curriculum

Have you had a chance to explore the new Aotearoa New Zealand Histories Curriculum? The Treaty of Waitangi – Te Tiriti o Waitangi is understandably a key focus. To succeed in today’s world, students need to understand the history of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and perspectives of those who are impacted by this important document…

Practical Ways to Use our ‘A Week in NZ’s History” resources

Practical Ways to Use our ‘A Week in NZ’s History” resources

I recently was asked for some practical suggestions for using our new range of “A Week in NZ’s History” resources. I am passionate about providing practical tips for busy teachers, so I hope these suggestions help. Our “A Week in NZ’s History” resources Our Week in New Zealand’s History resource explores key moments within Aotearoa New…

10 Great Podcasts for Kids

10 Great Podcasts for Kids

Research tells us that better listeners are better readers. We’ve put together this list of 10 Great Podcasts for Kids to highlight some excellent podcasts that provide active listening practice. Why Listen to Podcasts? Reading is a function of two key components: decoding and language comprehension. Listening is a key part of language comprehension. In…

What is Guided Reading 1

What is Guided Reading?

I’ve previously explained how my reading programme features four main aspects: Reading to, Shared Reading, Guided Reading, and Independent Reading. In this blog post, I answer the question: What is Guided Reading? I’ll also look at some of the research and history behind this approach to building comprehension. What is guided reading? Guided reading is…

What is Reciprocal Reading 1

What is Reciprocal Reading?

What is Reciprocal Reading? Have you heard about reciprocal reading (also known as reciprocal teaching)?  I love the way this strategy enables independent readers to work together in a self-managing team to discuss a difficult text. They teach each other and take turns leading. Let me tell you more about it! The four comprehension strategies students…

Content Area Literacy

Content-Area Literacy and our Integrated Reading Resources

Building Content-Area Literacy into our Integrated Reading Resources I’m excited to introduce our two new integrated reading resources. These reading units help students to increase their literacy engagement and grow their understanding of texts across the curriculum (content-area literacy). For example, our Kiwi Innovators unit features interesting texts that don’t shy away from using scientific…

7 Tips for Successful Parent Teacher Communication

7 Tips for Successful Parent-Teacher Communication

When I surveyed trainee teachers on topics they would like advice on, the resounding and clear winner was tips for Successful Parent-Teacher Communication. From memory, this topic wasn’t something covered when I was going through teacher training. However, there are so many benefits for parents being active in their child’s education, and clear communication will…

Planning the first week of school

Planning The First Week of School

I don’t know about you, but in planning the first week of school I always preferred to be overplanned and overprepared – you never know what can happen! The beginning of the year is so exciting – setting up your classroom, preparing resources, and looking forward to getting to know your new students. One step…

Relief Teacher Tips and Tricks

Relief Teacher Tips and Tricks

I am conscious of the fact that while many graduates are successful in gaining employment right away, others will spend time relieving at the beginning of their career. Others may choose to relieve at different points in their career for a myriad of reasons, so I wanted to provide some relief teacher tips and tricks!…

The Ultimate Teacher Survival Kit

The Ultimate Teacher Survival Kit

We have all heard the importance of teacher self-care, and what screams self-care more than an Ultimate Teacher Survival Kit!? I asked my email subscribers what they would put in the Ultimate Teacher Survival Kit and they did not disappoint! Perhaps you could make a teacher survival kit for a teacher who needs a pick me…

Resources to support learner agency e1604989157604

Resources to Support Learner Agency

Learner Agency (also known as student agency) is key to providing opportunities for the development of key competencies and the application of learning.  In this guest blog post, Kate Friedwald explores resources to support learner agency. Ensuring learners have a choice in their learning not only raises engagement but also supports the learning of vital…

Working with a mentor teacher

Beginning Teachers: Working With a Mentor Teacher

I previously published a guest blog post by Sarah Tohill that examined the mentoring relationship of mentors and beginning teachers. Now, my fantastic group of beginning teachers will share their experiences of working with a mentor teacher. Some PCT (beginning teacher)/Mentor relationships are really positive, some could be called “interesting”, and unfortunately, some just don’t…