Observing Primary Literacy

Margaret Perkins worked in initial teacher education for many years with undergraduates, postgraduates and those on employment-based routes in different provider institutions. Before that she taught in primary schools across the age ranges and throughout the United Kingdom as a classteacher and in positions of leadership. For the last ten years, she has been responsible for the primary GTP and School Direct routes into primary teaching, at the University of Reading, working closely with schools located in more than eight different authorities. It is this experience which prompted the writing of this book. In September 2016 she is going back into school as a class teacher in Year 1 and to work with colleagues across the school to make the English curriculum exciting, relevant and rigorous. Her teaching career is finishing where it began. She will be recording her experiences online at www.backtoschoolmargaret.com Please read the blog and share your thoughts and experiences.

• Chapter 1: Understanding textsChapter 2: TalkChapter 3: Teaching readingChapter 4: Teaching writingChapter 5: Teaching grammar, punctuation and spellingChapter 6: Literacy across the curriculumChapter 7: Assessment and planningChapter 8: Teaching with storyChapter 9: Teaching primary literacy

This new edition of a well-written and informative book will provide an excellent introduction to the teaching of English in primary settings. The inclusion of up-to date reference to material on assessment without levels and the teaching of grammar, spelling and punctuation is key. Each chapter provides examples of lessons that are inspiring and practical. In particular, the chapter on difficult aspects of grammar should give confidence to trainee and recently qualified teachers alike.