Teaching reading – don't just do it by the book!
We celebrated the launch of i-read Key Stage 1 in June and July with a series of free poet days. i-read poets Paul Cookson, Val Bloom, Wes Magee, John Foster, John Rice, Debjani Chatterjee, Clare Bevan and Pie Corbett entertained 250 teachers from 50 schools nationwide. All the sessions offered practical advice for teaching poetry in the classroom and firing children's imaginations for performing and writing. A big thank you to all the schools who took part!
Sorry to all the schools who missed the workshops.
Download a copy of John Foster's poem 'November' (PDF) complete with talking points and writing ideas for you to try in the classroom.
"i-read supports cross-curricular approach to literacy. The software is visual, provides good pace and good vocabulary definitions for second language learners. The shadow texts are good for guided reading and G & T groups, and appropriate, meaningful photocopy masters and activities support independent learning."
Mrs Hamilton, Literacy Co-ordinator, Girlington Primary School, Bradford
"Excellent for motivating boys - they couldn't wait to get into class when they were using i-read. And it is so easy to use for the non-specialist ICT teacher."
Joy Newing, Literacy Co-ordinator, Worthinghead Primary School, Bradford
"I think the resource itself could easily be integrated into any existing school scheme and would be particularly useful for those with limited literacy expertise or to expand the bank of resources available within a department. Having seen how much my class enjoyed and gained from it, I feel sure it would be invaluable in a school where reading is a development focus."
Primary Choice reviewer
"Our boys frequently ask are we doing i-read today?"
Assistant Head, St Vincent's RC Primary School
"i-read covers all learning styles and really brings the text alive with its use of audio and video clips. It is really good."
Mrs Barron, Literacy Co-ordinator Delphside C P School, Skelmersdale, Lancs.
"The children really enjoy the lessons using i-read. We all get such a lot out of it."
Mrs Oram, Year 4 teacher, Grange-over Sands C E school, Cumbria.
"A very well thought–out product. The package effectively provides a year's activities, the texts used are good, and ICT is being integrated in an effective, meaningful way."
ICT for Education
"The latest literacy title, i-read, reflects the energy and enthusiasm of its consultant, Pie Corbett. I was captivated by the imaginative and innovative techniques at the recent BETT Show in London and it will really help to move on the reading and writing agenda at the school."
Trevor Bradbury (Head teacher)
Brady Primary School
Rainham, Essex
"This is an attractive and well planned resource. It is particularly good in that it uses specifically written texts that are complete in themselves and not extracts from longer pieces. Equally attractive is the calibre of the authors who have contributed to the resource and the use of multimedia to enhance the written text." read the full review on the Schoolzone website
Schoolzone
"Bett 2006 promises to be a mouth-watering prospect for the digital maverick. In literacy, a new resource is the i-read from Cambridge-Hitachi built by literacy expert Pie Corbett and team. They have created a set of mixed media resources that aim to support the early reader with carefully considered visual and auditory props."
The Guardian
"Fantastic reading support"
Teaching and Learning
"You go through the text with the class, which is featured in full and then broken down into smaller, easier-to-digest sections, then you hand over to the children to answer questions, listen to soundbites, read fact files and interact with demos and shared activities. The presentation is clear and fresh, and the illustrations and pictures are a great feature. The three books are a fantastic accompaniment as children can look up their favourite poem or chapter again, at any time."
Junior Education
"i-read is all about teaching children to read - rather than leaving them to simply bark at the print. This resource gives children the opportunity to interact with fiction, non-fiction and poetry texts in order to develop all those higher order reading skills which are so crucial not only in literacy but right across the curriculum - and for life."
Ann Webley, Literacy Consultant