Primary Literacy

Shakespeare in his Time – for Years 3 to 6

Learning Focus: Understand the differences between theatrical entertainment in Shakespeare’s time when compared to today. Be able to write, practise and perform a play in a short time frame, much like Shakespeare and his fellow playwrights would have done in Tudor times. Shakespeare was one of the most important… Read More

Shakespeare and English

The English language owes a lot to Shakespeare. If he hadn’t written his plays chock full of new words and phrases, we would find it hard to express ourselves eloquently today. It’s hard to believe that many of the words and phrases we use today have been around for over… Read More

Performing Shakespeare

Suitable For: Year 4 to Year 6 Learning Focus: To explore the meaning of language in a play script by acting it out. Performing Shakespeare can be seen as a hardship, torturous even but there are many ways to make it accessible. Here are two examples… a)    Use a… Read More

How to get reluctant boys reading

Boys and reading! Plucking hen’s teeth or getting blood out of a stone are some of the comments you’ll hear from teachers and parents when discussing trying to get boys to read. Look at any group of kids and you’re likely to see a girl with a book in hand… Read More

Retaking the phonics screening check

By the end of June all Year One pupils would have completed their Phonics Progress Test and now the media furore over the use of non-words has died down, teachers have had the chance to see how confident their pupils are  with decoding familiar and  unfamiliar words. With… Read More

Spelling and the SPAG test

The SPAG test introduced this summer split opinion amongst teachers with some saying it was a good way for pupils to be able to show their skills whilst others railed at the usefulness. There was some confusion as many teachers decried its ability to raise standards when in fact it’s… Read More

Reading in Early Years

Reading in the Early Years and Foundation Stage is a magical time. For many it’s when reading finally comes together with phonics being grasped and fluency meaning the focus is more on the content rather than the mechanics. It’s at this time that as teachers and parents we need… Read More

How to Get Ahead of the New Primary Curriculum – Key Stage 2 Writing and Spelling

Writing Great things are expected of the pupils, especially towards the end of Key Stage Two despite there still being a gap between their reading skills and material and their writing skills. •    The main consideration at this stage is for the students to think carefully about what they want… Read More

How to get ahead of the new primary curriculum – Key Stage 2 Reading, Speaking and Listening

This is where the expected learning really accelerates and where it’s important to have all the groundwork done. It’s hoped that concentrated intervention in Key Stage One will have helped many to the stage where they can access Key Stage Two material, even if it is more complex than would… Read More

How to get ahead of the new primary curriculum – Key Stage 1

Key Stage One cedes that some may need revision and reinforcement and the new curriculum allows for the technical aspects of the EYFS framework to be continued, where necessary and with appropriate support, for those not yet ready for KS1’s challenges. However, the curriculum insists that the reading recommendations for… Read More