The John Lewis Christmas Advert has become something of a Task Map tradition over the years. To save teachers time, I thought I’d put one together this year—complete with a ‘Design Your Own Hoodie’ template. Click here to download the
The Swindmills of Your Mind: Responding to John Swinney's Edu-Speak
PE1668 Submission from Anne Glennie to the Petitions Committee 19th June 2019 I am writing to the committee in response to the Deputy First Minister’s latest submission (17th June 2019). I agree entirely that ‘phonics is only one part of
Snorghs at Sgoil na Pairc
I just had to share these fantastic clips and email sent to me by a lovely teacher that works in Sgoil na Pairc on the Isle of Lewis. I had to email you and tell you about our day! We
P1 testing: from catastrophe to conspiracy?
As the P1 testing debacle rumbles on, John Swinney is stumbling head-first into another education fiasco – although perhaps even he is unaware of the harmful scenario he is presiding over. Last year, I observed a very able child complete
World Book Day Reflective Reading Lesson Download!
As most of you will be busy planning exciting reading activities, extreme reading photo competitions, and dazzling fiction-related fancy dress costumes for World Book Day tomorrow, I thought I’d share a reading lesson to help alleviate the workload… This Reflective
TESS Article: Do I have to spell it out? Synthetic phonics works
The following article appears in this week’s copy of TES Scotland (8th December) Do I have to spell it out? Synthetic phonics works Last month I gave evidence at the Scottish Parliament on my petition to improve literacy standards in
Preparing for Battle: This is my Fight Song
Next week (Thursday 9th November) I will be giving evidence at a hearing in the Scottish Parliament on the petition that I submitted over the summer. Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to i) provide national
I’d like to teach the world to read… but I’d settle for every child in Scotland.
You can feel it in the air. The end of term. Proms, prize-givings, leavers’ assemblies and celebrations for all that’s been achieved in another full-to-bursting academic year. As schools close their gates for the summer, many involved in Scottish education
A Journey to the Dark Side: from Phonics Phobic to Phonics Fanatic
A Journey to the Dark Side: from Phonics Phobic to Phonics Fanatic I am delighted to have a feature article published in the summer edition of the NATE Primary Matters magazine. It’s quite a personal one, but it will hopefully
The Library That Blew My Mind
During the Easter break, as part of my other day job, I was lucky enough to be able to attend the Bologna Children’s Book Fair. I had a fantastic two days at the fair, met lots of wonderful people, saw
The Winner Takes It All
As 2016 drew to a close, Strictly Come Dancing, X Factor and The Apprentice all crowned new champions, as the losers clapped to hide their misery in the side-lines. In PISA, the biggest education tournament of them all, Scotland recorded
Why Upstart is a Nonstarter
Upstart Scotland is actively campaigning to introduce a Nordic-style kindergarten system between the ages of three and seven, with learning being undertaken through ‘creative play’ rather than ‘formal’ learning. As a campaign that sits outwith Scottish education, I was shocked
Tackling Inequality Through Teaching: A Letter to the Prime Minister by Dr Marlynne Grant
I am delighted to be able to post this letter from Dr Marlynne Grant, to the Prime Minister, on the subject of tackling inequality through education. The Rt Hon Theresa May MP Prime Minister 10 Downing Street London SW1A 2AA
TESS article: When it comes to literacy, let’s start at page 1
Today Nicola Sturgeon officially launched the ‘First Minister’s Reading Challenge’. Here is an article that I wrote for TESS about the challenge. It was published in TESS on 1st April 2016. TESS article: When it comes to literacy, let’s start at page
‘We’re the Superhumans’ Channel 4 Paralympics Advert Reading Lesson
Now that it's back to school – here's a topical Reflective Reading lesson to get you started. Based on the Channel 4 advert 'We are the Superhumans' for the Paralympics, it is rich in issues ripe for discussion. Thank you so
Education Scotland and the Mystery of the Shifty Document Swap
KIA Briefing 2: Early Reading Back in February, Education Scotland published this: A Knowledge Into Action resource for practitioners and education staff Briefing 2: Early Reading. I blogged about the document and how it was a small step in the
My Verdict: Education Scotland's 'Early Reading Briefing'
Well, it has been just over a year since I started writing angry letters to the Scottish Government and campaigning about the need for proper phonics teaching in the classroom and in teacher training in Scotland. So today gave me
Scotland’s Standardised Testing: How did we get here?
A simplified timeline of events: 2010: Curriculum for Excellence (forward-thinking, aspirational and inspirational) begins full implementation. 2010: Standardised testing is abolished. BUT: HMI start asking to see our standardised testing. (But, erm, we just got rid of it… ) THEN: Schools
*NEW* Mog's Christmas Calamity Task Map
Well, the Christmas spirit is strong today – because here is another super festive-themed Task Map for you to download! Today we have Barry Donaldson from Aberdeen City to thank for creating this cute and Christmassy activity-fest! The text is another
*NEW* Man on the Moon Task Maps
With the holidays fast approaching, we can now finally mention the ‘C’ word… Christmas! And to help you out at this frantic time of year, here are not one – but two – count ’em – two! – Task Maps
*NEW* St. Andrew’s Day Task Map and Text
What are you doing in class to celebrate St. Andrew’s Day? Well, here is another *new* Task Map along with a text to help you help your class to find out more about the patron saint of Scotland! Today’s Task
*FREE* Guy Fawkes Task Map!
Remember, remember the 5th November! Well instead – forget planning – because here is a Guy Fawkes Short Read Text and a Task Map for you to use in class tomorrow! Best suited for P3, P4 and P5 – but could
Planning and Assessing Listening and Talking
Would you like some *new* and *free* documents to help with planning and the assessment of Listening and Talking? Of course you would! Well, I have created the following that might be useful in your school to provide consistency in
I’m not angry, I’m livid (TESS article)
According to a recent Guardian article, a group of children’s authors is writing to the UK government, to complain that primary teachers are “damaging children’s creative writing” by encouraging them to use language that is “too elaborate, flowery and over-complex”. Cecilia
Read Between the Lines (TESS article)
Recent comments from Nicola Sturgeon suggest that national testing might be about to return to Scotland. I do support our forward-thinking curriculum, but I also feel there are bits of it where we could do better. We cannot ignore the
Dear Ms Constance: An Open Letter
Dear Ms Constance I wrote to you in March 2015, although I realise that you probably don’t actually get to read every email you receive, given the demands of your job. I also wrote to my MSP Alasdair Allan back
Identifying Reading Problems: How will I know?
I’ve just finished an interesting article in TESS: ‘When will literacy get its fairy tale ending?’ by Emma Seith. It has a great graphic showing the depressing SSLN results compared with two years ago, and there’s some super stats about
Closing the Gap: Get a New Plan, Stan
It has been a busy few weeks in the education world in Scotland, with what has felt like hunners of literacy reports and results being published. Having read them all, I am disappointed to find a lack of specific advice as
It’s time to wake up and smell the /k/ /o/ /f/ /ee/
On 29th April the latest SSLN results were published, revealing the performance of our children in reading, writing, talking and listening. You would hope, that given the fact that almost all of our teachers now feel confident in delivering the
3-18 Literacy and English Review: THE BIT THEY MISSED OUT
I have just finished reading the lengthy and repetitive report from Education Scotland: 3-18 Literacy and English Review. It’s a cross between an extended inspection report and a reminder of the content of the Experiences and Outcomes; as such it’s
Raising Attainment for All or just for 85%?
Over the last couple of days I’ve been following tweets from the Raising Attainment for All National Learning Session 2 in Glasgow with great interest. Even from the tweets it’s clear that there is a real buzz and feeling of
Why Everyone Needs an Assessment Giraffe
What does a giraffe have to do with assessment? Well, Jeffrey the giraffe, as well as being extremely intelligent, handsome, and good at telling jokes, actually performs a very important function in the classroom: he encourages formative assessment – reminding
We're Too Hot (Hot Damn)*
Nicola Sturgeon recently announced that a new Attainment Scotland Fund, worth over £100 million over four years, is to be introduced as part of a support package to improve educational outcomes for children in the most disadvantaged communities. This is
It's a busy day today!
Bonjour mes amis! Just a quick one today – to wish you all Happy International Book Giving Day – but more importantly – to wish you all a Happy Valentine’s Day! I hope you have had lots of nice deliveries
Making Your Mind Up
In response to last night’s blog post ‘The Attainment Gap? What about The Teaching Gap?’ lots of people have contacted me looking for recommended reading and research. I could just tell you the name of the game-changing book that challenged
The Attainment Gap? What about The Teaching Gap?
I’ve been biting my tongue. I’ve been trying to be patient. (I’ve written to the Scottish Government on this very subject, but am still awaiting a response.) I don’t want to be the messenger that gets shot. But with all
Forget Valentine's Day…
Hey Everybody! Just a quick post to remind you that as well as being Valentine’s Day on 14th February – it is also International Book Giving Day! And how lovely it would be to celebrate it by exchanging books – we think it
Haggis, Neeps, Tatties and a Task Map!
Well, it’s approaching that time of year again which, being from Ayrshire, I used to love in school – Burns Night! No doubt preparations are already underway for Burns Suppers including learning some super Scots verses by the man himself.
Happy New Year and Happy New Term!
Dear Readers, Happy New Year! Well, as the first week back draws to a close, I’m sure that for most of you the term is already in full swing, the holidays are a hazy memory and you’re ready for the
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas!
Well, we made it! Hooray for the last day and hello to the holidays in a few short hours! We’re just back from the school Christmas concert – which had bagpipes, ukuleles and even ‘Frozen’ in Gaelic! As it is
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt
Salutations! Well, things are starting to get hectic here at Zoo HQ – the usual round of Christmas parties, concerts – not to forget the Christmas cleaning – and I still haven’t written my cards. *has a sinking feeling as tomorrow
So, tell me what you want, what you really, really want…
Well, there’s only a few days left now until the end of term and the start of the holidays – hooray! So today we have another prize – another poetry book – again ideal to have on your desk and
Another Tuesday, another Task Map!
Hi everybody! Today in our Advent Extravaganza we have another TexTplorers Task Map for you to use right now, or you can squirrel it away for the start of 2015. This one can be used as a whole class activity, with
Thank you P3/4 at Burgh Primary School!
Well, we had to do an extra post today, because when we received an email from Mrs Scott and her class P3/4 at Burgh Primary School – we just had to share their work with you! Jeffrey was so excited
Jeffrey the Assessment Giraffe
Well, here we are – finally, it’s the last week of school before Christmas! Woo hoo! Today’s prize is a very special one indeed! How would you like to win your very own Mini Jeffrey Puppet for your classroom? As
Christmas, Cannibals and Cats
Ho! Ho! Ho! Here is Santa Jeffrey with another quick Christmas gift to save time planning for next week! Don’t resort to a DVD – keep the cherubs busy in the last week by giving them this tricky Blankety Blank
What Big Eyes You Have…
Greetings! I bring good news – we had so many entries for the ‘book bangle’ prize the other day that we’ve decided to do another! Today’s bangle may bring back memories if you were an avid reader of Ladybird books
The Derk Isle
Well, can you believe it? Today marks the half-way point in our Advent Extravaganza! It also means that there are only 13 (unlucky for some) shopping days until Christmas… but that’s the bad news – the good news is, that,
The Giraffe Who Came to Tea
As Anne is off gallivanting around the countryside, today’s advent treat is another giveaway. I know that many of you have remarked on Anne’s bracelets and bangles in the past, as she often tries to wear a ‘book bangle’ particularly
It will be Christmas in Snow Time…
Well, today’s giveaway might be appropriate soon, if the weather forecast is to be believed. Anne has chosen a lovely book of poems called ‘Sun Time, Snow Time’ (RRP £6.99) which is a cross-cultural collection of poems, contrasting life in the Caribbean with
Can you Picture It?
Bonjour mes amis! (see my 1+2 languages there!) Today on the blog we’re giving away another lesson download, one that you can file away to be used on a rainy day, or whenever you just need a quick literacy activity
Ah dinna like Mondays
Well, perhaps you’ve guessed from the title and picture that today’s giveaway has a Scots theme! ‘I dinna like the Midge’ (RRP £6.99) is a lovely anthology of Scots poems for children and is ideal to keep on the teacher’s desk, to
Giraffe is the Word
Hello! Jeffrey here. Anne is busy with her Clean the Pets for Christmas project. Moomin (French Bulldog) is up first, followed by Rocky. (Crested Gecko) She has a special Wild Cherry scented shampoo that she is excited about… I hope
Christmas cards should be banned!
Hello! As 25th December gets ever closer, I’m starting to panic about my Christmas cards… I love choosing them, buying gold and silver pens to go with them – but I never seem to have the time to sit down and take pleasure in
As Good As it Gets
Woo hoo! All happy at Zoo HQ because it’s nearly Christmas, but more importantly – it’s nearly the weekend! Thank you to those of you have been dropping by the blog everyday so far, and an especially big thank you if you’ve
Please Look After This Bear
Well, here we are… another day closer to Christmas! As the nativity play and carol concert rehearsals start to take over the timetable, today’s Advent Giveaway is something to keep literacy on the menu, with an appealing Short Read Task
Advent, Excitement and Anticipation
Now that December is here, and the great countdown is upon us, the excitement can be difficult to contain in the classroom. Well, today’s prize capitalises on that excitement, on the anticipation of Christmas – with a simply gorgeous book
Advent Day 2 at The Learning Zoo!
Good morning visitors! Thank you for stopping by! Today you have a chance to win a copy of ‘The Day the Crayons Quit’ written by Drew Daywalt and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers. Not only that, but the book will arrive
Woo hoo! Say Hello to The Learning Zoo!
Well… I am thrilled to be able to introduce you to my new venture, The Learning Zoo, and to my new colleague – Jeffrey the Giraffe! The Zoo will offer in-service training and conferences in Reflective Reading (formerly Muckle Reading) as
Goodbye to Big Writing
Well… what to say… yesterday was my final day of being a Big Writing consultant. The last four and a half years have been wonderful, and it’s truly been an honour and a privilege to work with Ros Wilson and
Ring a Ring o’ Rosen
Dear Mr Rosen, I notice you’re fond of writing open letters, so I thought you wouldn’t mind being on the receiving end of one. Forgive me for thinking aloud, but I wonder if you are running out of things to
Brain Gym is Alive!
I have a confession to make. I still do Brain Gym in my classroom. I normally don’t mention it to people. It lost its credibility in the classroom after Dr. Ben Goldacres’s damning report on the Bad Science website. Its
Is there a Trunchbull in your school?
Dear Miss Trunchbull, I’m writing to you to because I’m worried about Miss Honey. I don’t think you’ve noticed, but she’s not herself at the moment. Something is missing from our classroom, and I’m not sure, but I think it
A Word About Wow Words
Everyone loves Michael Rosen. He is one of my favourite authors to use in class to inspire children, through his books, poems and more recently the fabulous internet clips which bring poetry such as “Chocolate Cake” to life in the
Beyond the Hole in the Wall… but not much further
This morning I finished reading ‘Beyond the Hole in the Wall: Discover the Power of Self-Organized Learning’ by Sugata Mitra. It’s a short book but it promises much: “This important update on Mitra’s groundbreaking work offers new research and ideas
Handwriting is Dead (Oh no it isn’t!)
Reading my copy of TESS this week I was enjoying Fraser Speirs’ feature on using mobile phones in the classroom “Don’t run what ya brung”…until I got to the small print. Underneath the article some quotes from Fraser’s Tweets and