8 – 18
WAYS TO BOOST
THE BASICS
Isabella Wallace’s suggestions
for activities will stretch
and strengthen children’s
literacy skills.
11
THE NON-READING LOSER
There’s a book out there for
everyone, says author Phil Earle,
even if it takes a while to find it.
12
HOW TO BUILD A
BUZZ ABOUT BOOKS
James Clements has some
creative ideas for getting children
– and their parents – excited
about reading.
14
10 BOOKSWITH
HIDDEN DEPTHS
Explore deep themes and reveal
many layers of meaning as you
share these powerful titles with
your class.
24
“RIGOUR AND JOY ARE NOT
MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE”
Doug Lemov explains why
he believes in encouraging
young children to unlock
challenging texts.
26
WHERE DO YOU
GET YOUR SHOES?
When Philip Ardagh and Axel
Scheffler pop up in schools, kids’
curiosity knows no bounds...
28
THE MULTI-PRONGED
APPROACH
Tales of football and dinosaurs
aren’t enough to turn reluctant
boys onto reading, warn Christine
Chen and Lindsay Picton.
Contents
64
THE ART OF
BRILLIANT WRITING
Could swapping handwriting
pens for paintbrushes banish
writers’ block? Bruce Waelend
thinks so.
66
TOOLS OF THE TRADE
If we teach grammar well,
we are helping pupils
towards effective, lifelong
communication, insists
Rebecca Cosgrave.
68
SERIAL OFFENDERS
Rachel Clarke explains why
‘stories in series’ – literary
box-sets – are great for
encouraging children to read
for pleasure.
72
CHOCOLATE BLOCKS
Use Minecraft to
encourage more creative
reponses to Charlie and the
Chocolate Factory, suggests
Chris Waterworth.
76
FILL IN THE GAPS
10 things you need to know
about the KS1 GaPs test
(not including where to find
it online...)
78
RHYME AND REASON
According to Andy Croft,
listening for the rhythm of
everyday language is a great
way to become a better writer
and reader.
83
STUNNING
COMPOSITION
With the right planning,
an emphasis on accurate
grammar and spelling
needn’t restrict creativity
– or enjoyment – urges
Emma Caulfield.
90
FEEL THE FEAR
It’s scary to be asked to
write something to order
– as teacher Ross Geraghty
knows only too well...
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Publisher:
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32
ELF ROAD
Pie Corbett’s magical ‘portal’
story could open the doors to a
new world of creative writing for
your pupils.
37
WHY DID YOU DO THAT?
Asking the right questions
– and more importantly,
listening to the answers – can
really help children take control
of their writing.
42
THE SCREEN TEST
Films aren’t just a fun activity
for the end of term; they can be
a powerful tool for teaching and
learning, explains Jane Fletcher.
46
SIMPLY THE BEST
Announcing the results of
the 2016 Teach Primary New
Children’s Fiction Awards.
50
SET IN YOUR WAYS
Removing limits for all learners
could enable greater attainment,
says Katie Myles.
52
TRICKY CUSTOMERS
Dr David Waugh and Angela
Gill share some clever tips for
teaching common exception
words.
55
SEEING THE UNSAID
Discover the fascinating learning
to be had in the gap between
Anthony Browne’s pictures and
his words.
58
OH, WHAT AN ATMOSPHERE!
Alison Wilcox shares some ways
to encourage youngsters to write
more descriptively.
Published by: MazeMedia (2000) Ltd,
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Colchester, Essex, CO2 8JY.
Tel: 01206 505900
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CopyrightMazeMedia(2000)Ltd.
Whatbooks
taughtme
Original essays fromsome of
theUK’s best-loved children’s
writers and illustrators
6
AXEL SCHEFFLER
“I think children really
love seeing things
their parents don’t.”
20
MICK INKPEN
“Without reading
wedon’t evenenter the
race; our self-esteem
dependson these
strangesquiggles.”
40
LIZ PICHON
“I’d love to see more
creativity in all areas
of learning.”
62
SIMON MAYO
“There’s an enormous
liberation in writing for
pleasure.”
74
LUCYWORSLEY
“Sometimes you need
more active ways of
getting people to
enjoy reading.”
89
ROBIN STEVENS
“It seems ridiculous
to me that we are
increasingly splitting
stories by gender.”
Te
a
ch
Reading
&
Writing
isproudtobesupportedby
The Gruffalo © Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler 1999 - Macmillan Children’s Books
