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SPECIAL OFFER OF THE MONTH
20% OFF A2 Phonics Word cards
Enter discount code before 30 April and save! CODE: tofu
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This is the largest size of our popular PW (Phonics Word) card. It is the A2 colour card with letters/mnemonics on one side and 25 high frequency words, plus common content words, on the other. At this price, buy 2 and use them side by side as wall charts.
Watch Yolanda explain how to use a PW card.
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UPCOMING COURSES
There’s still time to enrol in our upcoming end of term April webinars for Primary Phonics, Advanced Phonics and Developing Phonological Awareness.
 Our term 2 course schedule is now up. It offers more after school and evening options plus a new Early Phonics course aimed at ECE/NE teachers focusing on teaching the alphabet in more detail than what we can do in the Primary Phonics course. Remember courses are also available as in-service either in-person or live webinar.
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New report released: Now I don't know my ABC
The findings of the report Now I don't know my ABC: The perilous state of literacy in NZ by The Education Hub shows the complexity and range of reasons behind the low literacy rates for many children in Aotearoa. It backs up the teaching of structured literacy where phonics is part of and not in lieu of a broad literacy programme. This is what I advocate for and teach on my courses.
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Listen to the report lead author, Dr Nina Hood, talk about the report on RNZ.
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Kids love the same stories – new survey
The National Reading survey found that over 30% of parents reported their children under 10 years of age had a particular book they liked to be read repeatedly. Well surprise, surprise! Not! If I had a dollar for every time I’ve read Hairy Maclary I’d be rich!
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I asked teachers on my Facebook page which books they read repeatedly to children. Check out the responses.
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New literacy teaching strategy released
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The new Literacy & Communication and Maths Strategy supports literacy teaching that is research informed, the teaching of oral language, the importance of involving whānau, using assessment to inform teaching and the valuing of Te Reo Māori.
I was so pleased to hear Education Minister Chris Hipkins state on TV: “Sounding out the words, looking at the pictures, that’s how kids learn to read. And the idea that you have to pick one or the other, it’s just a red herring.” Hear, hear!
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YOLANDA'S BAKED TOFU
Try it. I'd love to know what you think.
I love tofu but I know a lot of people aren’t sure what to do with it. This is one my fav recipes as the end result is so versatile and is delicious hot or cold.
1) Pre-heat oven to 180°C.
2) Slice tofu into half lengthways. Slice each half again into 2 or 4 pieces to make smaller tofu slabs. Place in a shallow baking dish.
3) To make the marinade, blend the ingredients until smooth before pouring over the tofu. Be sure to well coat each side in the marinade.
4) Bake uncovered for 60-70 minutes or until the marinade has almost or totally evaporated and been absorbed into the tofu. The tofu will have shrunk a bit and be browned. Tip: halfway through baking, turn the tofu in the marinade to coat both sides.
Serve warm or cold as a patty in burgers, sandwiches, or cut into smaller pieces to toss through a salad or stir fry vegetables or for a sushi or wrap filling. So tasty!
Where to buy tofu?
My family are great tofu eaters – we go through at least 15 blocks a week which we buy very cheaply in bulk from Asian supermarkets. The tofu from these places is softer but still works fine for this recipe. You can find single blocks of firm tofu in the chillers at any supermarket. Pam’s 450gm firm block of tofu sells for $4.89 at New World or a value 600gm Bean Supreme block for $5.29 from Pak’nSave. For taste and texture reasons, don’t use the tetra pack tofu blocks for this recipe.
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1 block of firm tofu (450-600gm)
MARINADE
¼ C apple cider vinegar
¼ C tamari/soya sauce
¼ C fruit juice (I use orange and mango)
1 tbsp finely grated fresh ginger
1 garlic clove, crushed
2 tbsp maple syrup
2 tbsp sesame oil
TOFU BEFORE BAKING
TOFU AFTER BAKING
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