We love graphic novels here at the Literacy Tree. They are a superb way to encourage children to devour complex stories and to get children hooked on a series of books with exciting characters and expansive worlds. It is important…
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As we approach the 25th anniversary of World Book Day, we think that this year’s chosen theme – You are a Reader – encompasses what the charity set out to achieve by bringing books into the home, particularly for children…
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Every resource we write, that forms part of the Literary Curriculum, uses the book as the main driver for any writing that takes place within the sequence. Each sequence journeys through the text and we ensure the writing outcomes match…
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Ubuntu! A pleasing sounding word and in just three small syllables, this ancient South African word, steeped in history, expresses so much: Ubuntu is togetherness; connectedness – in that all of our actions have an impact on others (positive and…
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When planning our sequences we try really hard to not 'bounce around the book'. For us, the journey through the book is integral to children (and teachers!) being able to fully immerse themselves into the text. This means that we…
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January can often be a bit of a difficult time: if you are a celebrator of Christmas then you may feel a sense of anti- climax; the days can feel impossibly long and are often dull and grey (perhaps not…
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Every year, we ask our team to pick their favourite books and to talk about who they will be gifting them to, as part of our Christmas Bibliotherapy. This year's offerings showcase the quality of books we have had available…
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There are many parallels between Christmas and a planning sequence: there’s a theme; there’s an engaging starting point just as there might be with the arrival of an elf or the appearance of the family box of Christmas decorations and…
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At the Literacy Tree, we are always on a quest to find new books – either modern or classics - which will make great teaching texts. The Literary Curriculum, our overview of books from reception to year 6, certainly has…
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If walls could talk, what a tale they might have to tell! Buildings, places… they can soak up history, joy, sadness and become living monuments –of sorts– of times from the past: good and bad. But sometimes, history is hidden;…
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It’s that time of the year when the nights are drawing in slowly and summer is on the retreat. We love autumn here at the Literacy Tree and, as Halloween creeps up on us, it might be time to break…
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This month, with the nights drawing in, the falling of the leaves and a distinct drop in temperature, change is afoot. And it brings with it the familiar: cosy evenings, hunkering down for the autumn with some good books and…
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The new academic year has begun and one of our most important priorities as educators is to hear each child in our class read. We need to quickly get a sense of how fluently a child can decode a text…
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Setting up your classroom at this point each year can be a moment of unbridled joy. Almost like moving into a new home, or redecorating a room, this is the moment where you can make your dreams a reality! ‘This…
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Why are we here? Who am I? What’s my purpose? Whilst these might not be ponderings of a primary-aged child, most children will still think upon life’s big questions at some point. Just the other day (at bedtime, as is…
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While writing this on July the 19th - so-called ‘freedom day’ from Covid-19 restrictions, and in the week where the vast majority of schools break-up for the summer holiday - it seemed apt to theme August’s review around freedom. As…
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Our raison d’etre is to ensure that every child has access to quality literature and we firmly believe that this is a right; an entitlement of each and every child. This applies not just to mainstream primary settings but also to Additionally Resourced Provision classes (ARPs)/SEND settings…
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Summer holidays are now finally appearing over the hazy horizon, ushering in the end of another very strange and discombobulating academic year. We do hope you are now getting ready for some R&R. Being literary minded as we are, we…
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