We know that the second half of the Summer Term is a busy time for assessment in primary schools. As the academic year begins to draw to a close, there is a focus on ensuring that end-of-year assessment judgements accurately…
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In the next instalment of our ‘How to Use’ series, we take a look at some of the key documents from our Subject Leaders’ Toolkit which are designed to work alongside the curriculum maps to support schools with text selection:…
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A recent dinner-time conversation with a couple of tweens associated with Literacy Tree led to a brilliantly in-depth discussion around the origins of Pride. The catalyst? One child’s peer, during Personal Development time, which, at this particular secondary school happens…
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We are living through a period where LGBTQIA+ people are yet again having to fight for their right to exist and be represented, and this has unsurprisingly permeated through to a discussion around which books are ‘appropriate’ to share with…
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Representation is important and we believe it's vital that children see their realities reflected in literature and that they have the opportunity to learn about the history of significant LGBTQ+ people. Many of the LGBTQ+ children's books here have existed…
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In this latest instalment of our How to Use series, we look at the Literacy Tree Classroom Toolkit. The Classroom Toolkit can be found in the Member Resources section of the website and has a wealth of resources that can…
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Educating, working with, or raising children in an age of rapid technological advancements presents both exciting opportunities and complex challenges for school staff, parents and carers. With 9 out of 10 children owning a mobile phone by age 11 (Ofcom,…
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In today's world, where mental health awareness is increasingly paramount, children's literature has emerged as a powerful medium for fostering understanding, empathy, and resilience in young minds. With the challenges that children face in navigating their emotions, relationships, and the…
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We know that the assessment of children’s attainment in English can feel like an overwhelming task for teachers and subject leaders. English is not a subject where knowledge can be neatly measured through performance on a test; it requires a…
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We’ve long-known just how important it is that children connect with the literature that they read. Forming deep connections with characters, plotlines and themes supports so many different developmental points on a reader’s journey. That which we connect with is…
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Children’s use of language comes to life when it has a clear audience and purpose – not just because it is an English lesson or because they must tick their way through a checklist, but rather because they are acutely…
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Last term, we began exploring the various considerations needed when choosing which books to use at different points across the school year. In the second part of the blog, we will examine further some of the aspects to take into…
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At Literacy Tree, we believe that it’s crucial to expose children to a diverse range of voices and experiences through the books they encounter. This helps to communicate to all children that people with lives similar to their own are…
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In the second part of our How to Use series, we look at the Mixed-age Planning Suggestions (MAPS) . Mixed-age classes can be challenging for teachers, particularly when it comes to planning writing. This ‘how to use...’ guide gives teachers…
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What if some things in life – things that appear to be ‘set’; a ‘given’ weren’t really so? The whimsical nature of fairy tales, whilst possibly rooted in some truth are riddled with plot-holes where the science just doesn't add…
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At Literacy Tree, we believe that it’s crucial for children to encounter a wide range of lives, experiences and cultures through the texts that they read. Diversity to us doesn’t mean ticking a box. It means telling children that people…
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Over the last year, we have added new Writing Roots to our overall Reception provision. These include the beautifully illustrated Ning and the Night Pirates by the talented Adriena Fong as well as the heart warming And Tango makes Three…
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Picture books have been having a ‘moment’ for a while now: we know that the depth that illustrations can add to already beautiful words can make for an extraordinary pairing. Picture books can also be a gateway into independent reading…
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