Literacy Essentials for Every Teacher by Alex Quigley
New book

Literacy Essentials for Every Teacher

A practical, evidence-informed guide to help every teacher build stronger literacy practices in the classroom.

Metacognition - New and Updated Post feature image

Metacognition - New and Updated

Metacognition is a well known term but perhaps less well understood for some busy teachers. Education Endowment Foundation guidance on the topic of 'Metacognition and Self-regulation' has always proven popular and now it is new and updated so it is well worth returning to explore. It is helpful

Feedback: A message in a bottle Post feature image

Feedback: A message in a bottle

Approaches to feedback, such as written marking or 'whole class feedback', are popular classroom strategies that are undertaken daily with students of all ages and stages. But do they truly land with students in the ways we intend? Or is it like a message in a bottle, cast

Dyslexia: Issues with definitions and diagnoses Post feature image

Dyslexia: Issues with definitions and diagnoses

Teaching a struggling reader, whether they are seven or seventeen, can be a gut-wrenching experience. It can make the typical tasks of a school day difficult and sap the enjoyment out of learning. It is no surprise then that every teacher, and parent, wants to get to the root of

Scaffolding and PEAL paragraphs Post feature image

Scaffolding and PEAL paragraphs

"Scaffolds are not intended to be permanent. If everyone has a scaffold all of the time, it's not a scaffold, it's just your lesson plan." 'The Scaffolding Effect', by Rachel Ball and Alex Fairlamb Teachers understand that scaffolds can be vital supports

Supporting struggling writers Post feature image

Supporting struggling writers

The saying goes that what gets assessed gets taught. But for teachers, when it comes to the act of writing to learn, that is not always true. Students can spend thousands of hours writing in the classroom, but if they struggle with writing it can still remain unaddressed.  Why is

Adaptive teaching: Stretch and challenge Post feature image

Adaptive teaching: Stretch and challenge

"A precocious child," Miss Honey said, "is one that shows amazing intelligence early on. You are an unbelievably precocious child.” "Am I really?" Matilda asked.  Adaptive teaching is usually discussed as a responsive approach to teaching students who routinely struggle. It describes how teachers can