What could be more simple and enjoyable than reading aloud to children? And yet, I fear, that often this most vital approach is not given the time or place it so richly deserves.
The magic of reading aloud with Jill Eggleton
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Literacy
Tales of teaching with Story Seekers
Not too long ago Courtney had a chat with Tania Withers, head of ESOL at St Joseph's Catholic School, Upper Hutt. We knew Story Seekers was a hit with her students, as she kindly reached out to sing its praises. We were keen to gain an understanding of how our...
Building an understanding and appreciation of poetry with Vaughan Rapatahana
Why is poetry important? Poetry is important for so many meaningful reasons. Among the most significant are that it helps students to appreciate different ways of writing and word use, learn about settings and customs other than those they are used to, and –...
How to explore thinking skills while studying film
Acclaimed English teacher and author Yvette Krohn describes The Matrix as the best film ever made. “I was first introduced to philosophy in an authentic context when I watched The Matrix in 1999. I had little to no knowledge of formal philosophy, but the ideas...
How to use rhythm as a tool for writing success
What brings writing alive for boys brings writing alive for all children, says author Frances Adlam, whose book Writing Success for Boys has just been published by Essential Resources. For children who struggle with writing, Roald Dahl’s words ring true: there’s...
An academic expert’s guide to teaching poetry
Good poetry offers ways of expressing emotions, capturing experiences and language techniques that stimulate students in ways other genres don’t. So how can teachers get students more engaged in poetry? Poet and writer, Vaughan Rapatahana (Te Ātiawa, Ngāti Te Whiti)...
How to use the Arts to explore poetry
How to use the Arts to explore poetry is the title of this wee blog post, but I am thinking another (perhaps more provocative) title could be: Why wouldn’t you use the Arts to explore and teach poetry to children? Let me explain my thinking. At its essence poetry is...