|
|
|
|
LATEST NEWS, UPDATES AND VIEWS
|
|
Let's talk handwriting...
|
|
I advocate teaching handwriting from day one. Time spent each day on letter formation will lead to more legible writing, deeper learning and less effort. Plus, handwriting is calming, and children enjoy it. I’ve noticed that many children who start school don’t have the muscle strength in their palms to hold a pencil. They have missed out, or not had enough, experiences such as painting, sandpit, playdough and crayoning to build the muscles needed for writing.
SOME HELPFUL TIPS: Ripping out and screwing up pages from old phone books is a fun and exciting way activity to help develop those hand muscles. I also recommend listening to Dr. Barry Hughes at the School of Psychology with the University of Auckland talk about the power of handwriting.
|
|
Farewell and thank you to Sandra
|
|
Sandra Porter is our stock person who makes sure all resources are where they need to be and in plentiful supply. It’s not an easy job making sure books and resources are in the right place and that we don’t run out. Sandra always makes it look easy and has been such a kind, dedicated, hard-working and fun colleague.
Sandra is leaving us for a full-time job, although it isn’t goodbye as we are neighbours and friends too! Cath and I took her out for a farewell lunch to mark her leaving and to celebrate the new job. Thank you for everything Sandra!
|
|
Have you played PhoNZErdle?
|
|
|
Paul Warren, Professor of Linguistics at Victoria University of Wellington, created PhoNZErdle. PhoNZErdle is a phonetics teaching resource for linguistics courses, though it has also taken off amongst Wordle enthusiasts. It encourages users to think of words, not in terms of their letters, but their sounds. As we know, that can be very hard to do!
|
|
UPCOMING COURSE INFORMATION
|
|
2023's Term One courses announced
|
|
We’ve been busy organising the 2023 in-person and webinar course schedule. Courses include Primary Phonics, BUZZ, Developing Phonological Awareness, Reading Discovery Club, Advanced Phonics and our newest addition Early Phonics (Learning the alphabet) courses. Check out the course calendar for specific dates.
Unsure about which course will benefit you? Watch our introductory course videos which explains what each course offers. Remember all courses are available as in-service either in-person or live webinar. View costs and options for in-service.
|
|
Join our free Early Literacy Clinic
|
|
You're invited to join our free Early Literacy Clinic. I’ll talk for a short time on a topic and then we’ll move to a Q&A on anything related to early literacy issues. Questions do not have to relate to the topic and can be about anything to do with early literacy. All are welcome to attend. Pre-register for this session now.
Early Literacy Clinic with Yolanda
Topic: How to Help Children Remember
3:30pm, Wednesday, 19th October 2022
You're also welcome to email your questions in advance or ask on the day.
The session is recorded and can be viewed later on our YouTube channel.
|
|
THIS MONTH'S DISCOUNT DEAL
|
|
$10 off the Early Phonics boxed kit
Enter the discount code before October 31st and save! CODE: toast
|
|
Early Phonics boxed kit: Stages 1-3
The Early Phonics Kit is a mini sized (A7) version of the A5 kit for those working one on one or in small groups on Stages 1-3.
|
|
|
Perfect for transition to school programmes, small group or individual phonics lessons, early literacy support or for use in BUZZ and/or Reading Discovery Club. The cards are small so that children can handle them. Touching is helpful for learning and little fingers need little cards.
|
|
Usually $135 Now $125!
• Quality laminated card
• A7 sized (rounded edges)
• Colour coded tabs and index
• 100% New Zealand made
• Includes teaching suggestions
VIEW MORE INFORMATION
|
|
Yo's fabulous French Toast
|
|
With the holidays coming up, I’m planning a few lazy brunches with friends and whānau. We’ll be enjoying this family brunch favourite.
1) Combine the first six ingredients into a wide-based bowl and whisk together.
2) Over a medium heat, spray a fry pan with a little oil.
3) Dip each thick slice of bread into the mixture to coat both sides.
4) Fry each bread slice until golden brown before flipping to cook the other side.
5) Serve with fresh fruit and golden or maple syrup or a sprinkled mix of cinnamon and sugar.
* The Ceres Organic brand of chickpeas is the best brand for aquafaba.
|
|
6 tbsp (100g) aquafaba (liquid from a can of chickpeas*)
2/3 C (150g) plant milk (eg: soy, almond, oat)
½ tsp vanilla essence
1 tsp sugar
1 pinch salt
6 tbsp (100g) white flour
12 toast cut slices of stale white bread
Oil
Fresh fruit
Choice of golden or maple syrup
Cinnamon and sugar
|
|
|
|
|
