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How to embellish your classroom and inspire a love of words, reading, and learning. Here are 6 guided strategies on how you can enrich your classroom and motivate your students to enjoy literacy. 1)   Cultivate an environment where literacy is deeply valued Get to know your students, including their interests (very important!), family backgrounds, community ties,…

It’s undeniable that a child’s reading skills are important to their success in school, work, and life in general. And it is very possible to help ensure your child’s success by reading to them starting at a very early age.  A recent report released by the Victorian Government examines the effect of parental reading to…

Recognising Frustration in Young Readers While struggling readers and frustrated readers may face similar challenges, the key difference lies in their response to difficulty. Struggling readers typically have gaps in foundational skills such as decoding, fluency, or comprehension, making reading an ongoing challenge for them. They may require explicit instruction, guided practice, and targeted interventions…

Today’s students are exposed to a world where a man found liable for sexual abuse has become the President of the United States, and a social media founder who reaches three billion users globally has updated the platform to allow women to be referred to as “household objects or property”. It may seem like these…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…