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Literacy Shed Recommends

Beyond Early Writing

17/1/2016

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This may be a little biased because I wrote one of the chapters for this book. Check out chapter 7 - It is all about using films and images to inspire writing. (No surprise there!) The other chapters are brilliant too and a great addition to any Literacy/English teacher's reference library.
The official blurb
This essential text for primary trainees and teachers examines the key skill of writing beyond the earliest school years. Teaching writing involves much more than simply teaching the mechanics of spelling, grammar and punctuation, important though these are. There are particular issues around writing in school, including the fact that children’s writing consistently lags behind their reading in external tests such as SATs, boys’ relative lack of success and teachers’ lack of confidence in modelling writing. This book addresses these topics as well as focusing on other pertinent practice issues such as working with proficient writers, engaging disengaged writers and working with children who have EAL and SEN.
‘Like Beyond Early Reading it explores  a number of key areas critically. The range of contributors adds depth and breadth.’ Karin Boyle, Manchester Metropolitan University
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‘The book is good at making links to empirical research and putting ideas into practice. It gives some good ideas for teaching whilst retaining academic rigour.’ Glenn Stone, University of Chichester

‘I like the balance of references to  relevant research and practical ideas. The case studies are useful too.’ Fiona Maine, University of Cambridge
Click here for more information and to purchase
Click here for amazon
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Blue Angels Display Team 360

17/11/2015

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Explore the Blue Angels, U.S. Navy Display team in 3D

Click on the image and drag around to see left right and even do a loop the loop.
If you watch on your phone or tablet you can simply move it round to explore the experience. 
Perhaps a fabulous writing stimulus too! 
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The Resurrectionist

16/11/2015

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The Resurrectionist, 'The Lost Work of Dr. Spencer Black.' by E.B. Hudspeth

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Perhaps this book could be classified as 'faction' a hybrid book where fiction is presented as fact, in this case a biography and a scientific journal. 

Part 1 of the book is the biography of Dr. Spencer Black.  The doctor, the son of a grave robber, studied at the Academy of Medicine in Philadelphia during the 1870's.  He was a controversial figure - some people saw him as a genius, but most saw him as a mad man. 


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Part 2 of the book is Black's opus, his lifetime's work; 'The Codex Extinct Animalia.'  A collection of anatomical drawings illustrating the anatomy of mythical creatures from throughout history.   Black developed a strange and morbid curiosity of these creatures believing that they were the 'anatomical ancestors of humankind.'  A truly exciting and interesting read followed by a collection of mind-blowing art work. ​
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World of Food by Carl Warner

27/9/2015

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Carl Warner is a still life photographer who has created tableaux out of edible ingredients, to illustrate to children what the world may look like if it were all one colour.   On the pink pages we see a fairytale cottage made of sweeties.  In the brown world we see a steam train made of chocolate, which seems to be the favourite of teachers everywhere when I share this text with them.

A poem accompanies each text and in the glossary, Warner shows what each element in the image actually is. 

It is a beautiful book that can be used in class to engage pupils to write great descriptions of settings. It has ties with lots of curriculum themes such as chocolate, Willy Wonka, World Kitchen, Fair trade plus many more.  

Buy it on Amazonhere 
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Punctuation..? from 'User Design'

20/9/2015

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This incredibly useful little book should have a place in the pocket of every English teacher or student's bag.  With its simplistic appearance which belies the wealth of information it contains, the book really helps to point you through the most commonly used punctuation in the English language. 

From the oft misused apostrophe to the rarely seen pilcrow, the book explains the use of each piece of punctuation in a straightforward manner which would untangle most punctuation panic stricken minds. 

The humorous illustrations are incredibly useful for understanding each explanation and the easy to follow examples, along with noted exceptions to rules definitely add to the book's appeal.  

All in all this handy guide to punctuation would suit a range of ages and proficiencies, a super little book to add to your shelf. 

The book is available from all up to date books shops, Waterstones, direct from Central Books and here on Amazon  

You can find out more about the authors here and the book here



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4 Comments

    Rob 

    From time to time we come across things we really like.  We thought we would share them here. 
    Apps, books, people etc

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