Boys, literacy and their schooling – why boys aren’t learning
Over the last 20+ years, we have seen a decline in boys’ academic achievement and attitudes towards schooling. This has been particularly evident in the middle years of schooling from year 5 to year 10. This has led to a disconnection of boys in the education system – which is costing schools extra in teacher…
Reading problems, poor behaviour & confidence – an interesting connection
The relationship between literacy and behaviour problems is a much-debated area. Which could be the cause and which is the effect? And how is confidence affected? Literacy is fundamental to life. Without it, we wouldn’t be able to gain meaning from our world. This is why it is essential to continue fighting for great literacy,…
Parents: Win the Reading Battle with your Son!
Worried that your son doesn’t like reading? Concerned about his english results? Every parent (and teacher) I know wants their child (and students) to be a strong reader. It has so many benefits and stretches across all other subject areas. Yet why do so many of our boys struggle with reading and literacy? Last year…
Queensland Review of NAPLAN 2018
The Queensland Review of NAPLAN has been completed, whereby over 70 000 primary and secondary teachers, principals, students and parents were asked for their views of NAPLAN and its ongoing value in improving our education system.
35+ books for teen boys who are reluctant readers
If you have a reluctant reader, you’ve probably tried incentives, threats and listened to less-than-enthusiastic reading aloud when they were younger. Then when they become teenagers they are busy, with many distractions and new experiences. But don’t give up on serving them books – it’s just finding the right material! Here is an info-packed guide to…
How to start the new school year the right way
It may seem obvious but a positive parent-teacher relationship will contribute to your child’s success at school. Whether or not your child struggles with maths, literacy or is starting the journey into high school, resuming school can be a cause of worry for parents and children. Let’s look at some ways which foster a positive…
An easy way for parents to teach sight words!
Reading is an essential early skill that underpins so much future learning. But what if your child finds it a struggle? How can you help them learn sight words easily? Let’s look at how you can help your child with reading, preparing them for the years of education ahead. One of the most important purposes…
How to provide excellent reading support for your child
As many schools resume this week, you may have mixed feelings of relief at sending them back but dreading the extra homework, especially those home readers! Here are some practical recommendations to support your child’s reading for the year ahead. First of all, if you recognise that your child is struggling with reading, no matter…
Free printable checklist of fun ways to keep kids reading over the summer break!
Summer means a much-needed break for kids (and parents!), but it can also mean a break in learning and, in many cases, an unfortunate loss of newly developed reading skills. The so-called “summer slide” is particularly problematic for kids who are already struggling with reading. If you don’t want to risk a child losing ground…
Literacy is NOT Optional
“Reading is more caught than taught.” (Educator and author Jim Trelease) Literacy is NOT Optional. With all the competition vying for children’s attention today, is it still possible to encourage kids to read? It is definitely more challenging, especially with so many distractions, but it is possible. What if the road to reading is a…