I am fascinated by the part relationships play in the complex process – the skill and the will – of learning to read. If you retraced your personal reading journey, who would you find signposting the way for your reading development and your enjoyment of books? You may have forgotten the contributors who helped directContinue reading “A sage on the stage or a guide by your side: If you were learning to read, who would you choose?”
Category Archives: My journey…
‘Halibut Jackson’ by David Lucas: introvert brilliance at its finest
Have you met Halibut Jackson? I hadn’t. Not until I found him hiding in Dave’s basket of books in the Acorns’ charity shop in Ledbury last week. I read him from cover to cover, bought him for 50p, and brought him home with me.
Keep reading ’til it sticks in 2026
Last year, my motto was: “Make reading come alive in 2025!”. The year before that, my motto was: “Has learning to read become a bore and a chore in 2024?”. I think I’m going to adopt this motto for the year ahead: “Keep reading ’til it sticks in 2026”. I started this website in JanuaryContinue reading “Keep reading ’til it sticks in 2026”
Read With Julia: The Story So Far…
2025 It’s 31st December 2025 and I’m evaluating my attempts to reach the objective I set out for myself on 1st January 2025 – ‘let reading come alive in 2025’: I’m following a wise man’s advice (aka Theodore Roosevelt) and continuing to do what I can, with what I have, where I am. As theContinue reading “Read With Julia: The Story So Far…”
‘Read with me’ by Liz Waterland
I bought this copy of ‘Read With Me: An Apprenticeship Approach to Reading’ by Liz Waterland in the Marjon’s bookshop in Plymouth during my initial teacher training. It still bears my maiden name inside the front cover. I have treasured the book since the late 1980s. The title was the inspiration behind my ‘Read withContinue reading “‘Read with me’ by Liz Waterland”
Relationship Check
On Thursday 16th October, amid news of the UK government’s target for 90% of 5-6 year old pupils to reach the expected standard in the Year 1 Phonics Screening Check (PSC), my family attended the funeral of our dearly beloved friend, Jan Britton, at Margam Crematorium in Wales. Jan was an Early Years’ teacher. HerContinue reading “Relationship Check”
“Miss, you don’t smile anymore.”
Probably the most constructive classroom observation I ever received came from the lips of an 8 year old. If my memory serves me correctly, her name was Hannah and she would have been 8 when she joined my Year 4 class in September 1992. I must have been roughly halfway through my first year asContinue reading ““Miss, you don’t smile anymore.””
International Dot Day 2025 at Ledbury Primary School
On Monday 15th September, I was delighted to give a screen-free assembly at Ledbury Primary School to celebrate International Dot Day. I wore my dotty dress for the occasion, which I found in a local charity shop (it was originally from Boden, don’t you know, AND it has pockets). I took a bag with me,Continue reading “International Dot Day 2025 at Ledbury Primary School”
I’m with you, Floppy
I was overjoyed to find a 50p Floppy favourite in the Acorn’s charity shop last Saturday. I couldn’t hold back my delight and, before I knew it, I was reading page 30 aloud to Dave at the counter. My 3 children loved the Biff, Chip and Kipper stories. When my youngest started bringing them homeContinue reading “I’m with you, Floppy”
Cast your bread upon the waters…
I was reminded of this bible verse at our dear friend, John Britton’s funeral on 13th February 2025 at Margam Crematorium in Wales. His pastor, who was leading the service, shared a story from his final visit to see John in Penarth’s hospice. During their time together, he had asked for advice and John hadContinue reading “Cast your bread upon the waters…”
Read with Julia 