Posts by Eve Morton
Why all the talk about oracy?
It seems almost impossible at the moment to avoid the conversation about importance of oracy in education – and rightly so. As James Britton once said, ‘Reading floats on a sea of talk’ (Britton, 1970, p. 164), but good oracy skills go further than that. Strong oracy skills are essential for our young learners to…
Read MoreOpening the doors to reading: why class visits to the local library matter
Why class visits to the local library matter more than ever As we celebrate the National Year of Reading, there has never been a better moment to reconnect children with one of the most powerful reading spaces in their community: the local library. A class visit to the library is far more than a pleasant…
Read MoreWorld Book Day 2026 – making it meaningful
World Book Day 2026 takes place on Thursday 5th March this year. It provides a wonderful opportunity to celebrate books, authors, illustrators, and the love of reading with children and adults alike. Research tells us that reading for pleasure is the single biggest indicator of future success for a child – even above family circumstance,…
Read MoreThe National Year of Reading 2026
The National Year of Reading: why it matters and how schools can get involved In 2026, schools across the UK will be invited to take part in the National Year of Reading. This is part of a coordinated effort, led by the National Literacy Trust, to reignite reading for pleasure, strengthen literacy outcomes, and reconnect…
Read MoreAdaptive teaching: same lesson, different learners
Adaptive teaching is no longer a ‘nice to have’: it is essential for schools striving to meet the diverse needs of learners in today’s classrooms. The recently published Ofsted tool kits, have inclusion as a golden thread running through aspects of school life. With increasing recognition of the importance of inclusion, differentiation, and responsive pedagogy, teachers…
Read MoreMaking effective pedagogical choices to impact learning – the role of modelling and questioning
What Does High-Quality Teaching Look Like Today? What does high-quality teaching look like in your school? Do staff have the knowledge and expertise to ensure that pupils know more and learn more? High-quality teaching remains the most powerful lever for improving pupil outcomes. Much research tells us: ‘High-quality teaching benefits all pupils and can…
Read MoreChristmas book recommendations for primary schools
The build up to Christmas is well underway in schools: performances and end of term activities adding to children’s excitement! Amidst all this, it can be enjoyable to find some quiet time to enjoy a Christmas story or two. Here are two of my favourites which can be explored as a class, or by children…
Read MoreA focus on fluency
What is Reading Fluency? There is often a misconception amongst pupils (and sometimes adults) that being a fluent reader means being a fast reader. Fluency involves the ability to read smoothly, accurately, and with expression. This will mean that the reader takes note of punctuation, phrases and clauses, along with how text is presented, to…
Read MoreUsing poetry in teaching: A Tool for the Classroom
Poetry is a little like Marmite – you either love it or hate it! This may be based on your own experiences when you were younger, or it is not a genre you have ventured to explore. Poetry is not just about rhymes and verses; it is a powerful tool that can transform the learning…
Read MoreMore Than Baby Talk: How Nursery Rhymes Can Benefit Older Students
The 10th – 14th November 2025 is world Nursery Rhyme Week and millions of children around the globe will be singing, doing the actions and exploring a range of nursery rhymes. Much research has shown that nursery rhymes are incredibly beneficial for children as they can boost vocabulary and language development; develop literacy and numeracy…
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