Literacy

Quality early grade reading is a key focus for the Global Partnership for Education. In her latest Teacher column, Julia Gillard explains how hundreds of millions of children around the world are denied the opportunity to learn to read, and shares how a focus on improving reading standards in Nepal is changing lives for the better.

Today’s reader submission is by Sir Jim Rose, author of the influential 2006 UK report The Independent review of the teaching of early reading, which led to the adoption of mandatory teaching of systematic synthetic phonics in English primary schools. Here, he discusses ‘the simple view of reading’ and its implications.

A government advisory panel has recommended the introduction of national literacy and numeracy checks in Year 1 as a way of identifying students who need additional support. Here we take a closer look at the report, including the benefits and challenges raised by teachers and principals.

The annual Civica Libraries Index compiled a list of the top 10 most borrowed picture books from regional and metropolitan libraries across Australia. So, which popular titles made the coveted list? Find out in today's infographic.

If you’re looking to add books to your library or create a classroom collection, a student suggestion box could be one source of ideas. There’s also inspiration from outside school in the shape of annual lists of most popular books.

Early years classroom practitioners need to devote more time to teaching writing, including explicit handwriting instruction, according to research findings from an Australian study.

Being asked to present to the entire class can be a nerve-racking experience for students. In our latest reader submission, two US educators explain how ‘Speed Sharing’ can be an effective, non-threatening alternative.

In an effort to better reach students who aren’t engaged in reading, writing and storytelling, staff at this New South Wales school decided to run a literary festival for Year 7 students, inviting a range of different authors, poets, cartoonists, illustrators and performers to run workshops on the day.

The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) is an international comparative study of student achievement. Here, we look at TIMSS data on books in the home and the percentage of Australian students at or above the proficient standard for maths and science.

In June, St Joseph’s Nudgee College was named the inaugural winner in the schools category of the Library Design Awards 2017. Here we speak to the architect behind the award-winning library and the teacher librarian who now manages it.