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…”
Tag Archives: phonics
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”
Just keep it simple
I believe Quentin Blake’s ‘Mrs Armitage on Wheels’ has some valuable lessons to teach us…
‘Theirs not to make reply/ Theirs not to reason why…’
I inwardly wince when I hear the phrase ‘it is what it is’. Its unquestioning use in schools is the reason I dislike it so intensely. Let me give you an example…
Has learning to read in 2024 become a chore and a bore?
Saturday 29th June marked the end of my ‘Read with Julia’ pilot project at Ledbury Community Hub. If you look at the numbers, it wasn’t a rip-roaring success – but it’s given me plenty of food for thought…
Shared Reading at Ledbury Community Hub
In April, I visited Ledbury Community Hub for a pot of peppermint tea and I met Nic, the hub leader. We talked about his vision for the hub, opportunities for me as a volunteer… and he kindly offered me use of the space for four, free, drop-in reading sessions for local children and families.
Decodable phonics?
Love them or loathe them phonics decodables are part of the furniture in primary classrooms today.
Here are some pointers for parents who might be wondering what to do with them…
Read with Julia 