4 Common Misunderstandings about Comprehension
How often do you feel like your students struggle with understanding what they read? At the end of last year, we conducted a survey with teachers in our community, and over 60% shared that comprehension was their students’ greatest challenge. Reflecting on my teaching practices and delving into research, I realised there are several misunderstandings…
LFK: Identify comprehension gaps with these reading cards
Note for Teachers and Parents Are your students easily confused when reading texts on their own? Boost every student’s comprehension skills with these visually appealing A4 cards. These cards make reading more interactive for kids. By ‘turning-and-talking‘, these cards get students talking about what they are reading DURING reading! These cards are an excellent way…
How teacher librarians boost student literacy
Teacher librarians are some of my favourite people – their passion for literacy and knowledge of books/authors/genres should be applauded. Let’s look at some reasons why the presence of qualified library staff in school libraries is associated with better student performance in literacy. Every Australian school constantly aims to lift the literacy outcomes of their…
Beating the back-to-school blues
Helping our students to start the new year off on the right foot involves more than shiny shoes and crisp new books. Let’s look at what they need to boost their confidence as they walk into the playground and classroom. 1) Resilience A tough day may leave a child or teen feeling overwhelmed. However, try…
A guide to using EdTech in the classroom and at home
The world of ed tech offers countless opportunities for schools and homeschooling parents. Here’s a quick look at how you and your students/children can benefit, along with expert tips to help you overcome potential challenges. There’s no denying that technology has revolutionized the way education operates. Class work is more interactive, data can be reported…
Benefits of Reading Aloud to Children
Research proves conclusively that one simple activity — reading aloud to children — is the best way to prepare them for learning to read and to keep them reading as they grow. Whether you’re a new teacher seeking guidance, a seasoned pro looking for fresh ideas or a parent, let’s look at the value of…
On the same page: the perks of reading together
The joys and benfits of burying yourself in a book can be doubled when you do it as a duo! Getting kids off screens is a battle so consider this option to encouraging reading more books. What are the perks of reading together? United State Reading with others, especially people you feel comfortable being around,…
8 Benefits of Reading Print Books: Backed by Science
Following on from my ABC interview this week about getting adults to read more books, I wanted to explain how diving into a page-turner can enrich your health and happiness. Here, we share science-backed reasons to read a print book and ideas for continuing the habit as an adult. 1. Increases Your Intelligence To qoute…
5 Secrets to Surviving Term 4
We’re almost there everyone… just hang in a little longer. As any parent (or teacher) knows, the last weeks of school can often be the most challenging. There’s the mixture of excitement for the summer holidays and exhaustion from a school year that’s proved different from other years! To help get you through the school…
Gearing up for Term 4: How to Maximise Student Engagement
The end of the school year is approaching and it can be a tough time where some students may be starting to mentally check out. How do you manage the engagement dip, especially for older learners in the Year 7 – 9 age bracket? This decline, where students become increasingly distracted or disengaged, poses a…