Tag Archives: Shared Reading

A sage on the stage or a guide by your side: If you were learning to read, who would you choose?

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?”

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…”

“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.””

Just keep it simple

I believe Quentin Blake’s ‘Mrs Armitage on Wheels’ has some valuable lessons to teach us…

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…”

‘The Whales’ Song’ by Dyan Sheldon and Gary Blythe

Have you experienced the poignant power of picturebooks? Can I give you a window into my world? Are you sitting comfortably?

Online Teaching in Alternative Provision

I am currently working for an Alternative Provision agency on a zero hour contract. I teach children and young people who are unable to manage the demands of mainstream schools. Most of the sessions are online, some of the children and young people have received funding from their local authority for 5 hours of onlineContinue reading “Online Teaching in Alternative Provision”

Let reading come alive in 2025!

As we enter 2025, my desire to bring families and communities together through shared reading is as strong as ever. I’m still on a quest for clarity of direction. I’m still seeking a future where young and old bond through books, where relationships are strengthened through shared reading, where obstacles to literacy are removed, and where reading becomes irresistible.