Articles from back issues of Literacy Today are available free of charge on this website, providing useful case studies by practitioners on their approaches to literacy practice and researchers' summaries of their findings. You can find article titles by theme below or by magazine issue number.

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Adults Arts Business and employment issues Children in care Community-wide approaches Drama and role-play English as an additional language/multicultural issues Family literacy Foundation stage Gender Government approaches Guided reading/intervention strategies Grammar ICT International issues Libraries/promoting reading National Literacy Strategy and the literacy hour Oracy/language development Parents Partnerships

Phonics Popular culture - film, television, texting Primary/secondary transfer Prisoners Reading Is Fundamental, UK Research Social inclusion - poverty, health and housing Special educational needs - including blindness and deafness Sport Storytelling/storysacks Teaching practice Thinking skills Volunteering/mentoring Whole school approaches and KS3 literacy Workplace and vocational training Writing Young people

Adults

Making the vital links John Townsend outlines some of the key ingredients of motivating reading materials for adult learners (June 2005)
Read more, write better - get involved Jane Quinn outlines plans for the BBC's Reading and Writing (RaW) campaign, its biggest ever literacy campaign (June 2005)
Writing and creative energy Jane Mace discusses the place of writing in the adult literacy core curriculum (June 2005)
Adult literacies in Scotland Fiona MacDonald looks at recent developments in Scottish adult literacy policy (June 2005)
Adult literacy is testing my wits Tom Sticht discusses adult literacy statistics and policies in the UK and US (December 2004)
Language experience: what's going on? Jane Mace argues for a "language experience" approach to adult basic skills teaching (June 2004)
The role of museums, archives and libraries Findings on the role of the museums, archives and libraries sector in improving adult basic skills (December 2003)
Audio resources for adults Why one publishing company, WF Howes, is concentrating its efforts on developing audio books for adult literacy learners (December 2003)
From oracy to literacy Dr Thomas G. Sticht explains the concept of 'reading potential' in Adults (September 2003)
Literacy help online Online literacy development activities allow adults to take control (December 2002)
Opening doors to adult literacy Author Patricia Scanlan writes about popular Irish fiction written specifically for adult literacy learners (December 2002)
Examining the causes of dyslexia How to design effective programmes for adult dyslexic students (September 2002)
What makes 'good' literacy and numeracy provision Key principles from work in rural Australia (September 2002)
Changing literacy practices The use of real-life texts in adult literacy teaching (September 2002)
Skills for Life: one year on Viv Bird reviews progress on the national adult literacy and numeracy strategy (September 2002)
Making the Vital Link A project exploring the potential of libraries in supporting adult basic skills development (September 2002)
On track with basic skills Basic skills support at Virgin Trains
Writing class inspires the homeless Report on the Ace of Clubs project, supported by Consignia's Stepping Stone fund (June 2002)
The Pathfinder Way Innovative approaches to attracting new learners (March 2002)
School caretakers improve skills Vocational training incorporates literacy (March 2002)
The Pathfinder experience Piloting the adult basic skills standards, curriculum and national tests (December 2001)
The Big Book Share Tricia Kings describes a family reading project among inmates at HMP Nottingham (December 2001)
Basic skills support Help further education students improve their basic skills (December 2001)
Dads and other superheroes Nottinghamshire library project working with fathers (June 2001)
Unions take the lead The role of unions in improving basic skills in the workplace (June 2001)
Creative family literacy Using arts, drama and crafts to make family literacy fun (June 2001)
Building vibrant communities The challenge for improving adult basic skills in deprived communities (June 2001)
On the front line Poor health and poor literacy go hand in hand (March 2001)
Learn at your leisure Learndirect, the progress so far (December 2000)
Workplace Basic Skills Network Fiona Frank, coordination manager of the Network, describes the Government's Building Basic Skills in the Workplace initiative (December 2000)
Intensive literacy courses in the workplace Thurrock Council staff take part in basic skills courses (September 2000)
Accelerated literacy learning for adults The New Deal in Fife (June 2000)
Reaching disadvantaged parents Finding new ways to attract parents who are socially and/or economically disadvantaged is key to widening participation in lifelong learning (December 1999)

See also research articles on adult literacy

Arts

Literacy in the gallery The impact of Tate's Visual Paths project (September 2002)
Bringing the literacy hour to life Literacy projects in museums and galleries (March 2002)
Creative family literacy Using arts, drama and crafts to make family literacy fun (June 2001)
Business support for storysacks Harlow businesses join the city's drive to improve basic skills (March 2001)
Small stories, big impact A storysack project with Asian elders in Southampton (September 2000)
Action zone arts North Southwark EAZ has teamed up with arts to improve literacy in the area (June 2000)
Arts link supports literacy drive Artists in residence in three schools helped bring books and stories alive (March 2000)
Global words Sir Herman Ousely argues for a multi-cultural curriculum (March 2000)
Literacy hour How a special school for visually impaired children adapted the literacy hour to meet its children's needs using storysacks, music and drama (September 1999)
Writing empowers unemployed youth Ne29 is a totally different magazine written by and for young people with something to say (December 1998)

Business and employment issues

Business volunteers The benefits for pupils and employees in two initiatives (September 2002)
Business support for storysacks Harlow businesses join the city's drive to improve basic skills (March 2001)
Accelerated literacy learning for adults The New Deal in Fife (June 2000)
NFT employees build confidence  A volunteer reading programme (December 1999)
Skills for life A company training centre offers employers and their families the chance to improve their skills through IT training (December 1999)
Success For All A volunteer reading programme supported by Boots (June 1999)
Business creates pathways to literacy National Year of Reading business conference (March 1999)
BACS reading volunteers scheme Benefits for pupils and volunteers (June 1997)

Children in care

Looking after Literacy in public care An evaluation of work by Kent County Council (September 2004)
Reading rights Reading project targeting children in public care (June 2001)
Talking pictures Jan Clements describes how teenagers in care made their own graphic novels (March 2000)
Leaving care: into reading Young people leaving care have signed up up to become Buddy Readers in an award-winning project (March 2000)

Community-wide approaches

A city-wide approach Belfast's cross-sector literacy forum is coordinating efforts to improve literacy in order to ensure a real and lasting impact (December 2003)

Drama

Drama into writing into drama Pat Farrington explores how drama activities can support pupils' writing skills (June 2005)
Role-playing literacy How organised role-play can encourage young children to explore unfamiliar language (December 2004)
Young writers tune into the music Action research shows how 'performance' reading aloud aids writing (March 2004)
'Read it with a Northern twang like Miss!' Teachers' action research investigates the relationship between 'performance' reading aloud and the teaching of reading (December 2003)
Seventeenth century drama Role-play and drama at Clarke Hall Educational Museum (September 2001)
Action zone arts North Southwark EAZ has teamed up with arts to improve literacy in the area (June 2001)
Drama in and out of the literacy hour The role that drama plays in children's development has been recognised for many years, yet all too often its contribution to literacy development is overlooked (December 2000)
A great story Storytelling roadshow using sound, video and tactile books (September 2000)
Literacy hour How a special school for visually impaired children adapted the literacy hour to meet its children's needs using storysacks, music and drama (September 1999)

English as an additional language/multicultural issues

Celtic biliteracy Dr Fiona Lyddy examines emerging biliteracy in Celtic languages in the UK and Ireland (June 2005)
Lambeth finds Black Caribbean success - Identifying factors associated with educational achievement (March 2004)
A learning holiday Using extended visits abroad to encourage family learning and acknowledge other cultures and languages (September 2003)
Common approaches to languages and literacy Reading and writing in a foreign language support children's literacy (December 2002)
Bilingual benefits Involving EAL teachers in literacy training (June 2001)
Targeted language support Involving the parents of bilingual children (September 2000)
Language learning for all The case for mother-tongue teaching (June 1999)
Football training leads to better communication Support for young Somali refugees (September 1998)
See also research articles on English as an additional language and multicultural issues

Family literacy

Family learning in the secondary school How Four Dwellings High School in Birmingham developed one of the first family learning programmes for parents of secondary-age pupils (December 2004)
A learning holiday Using extended visits abroad to encourage family learning and acknowledge other cultures and languages (September 2003)
An early start helps everyone Pre-school project improves the literacy skills of children and adults (June 2003)
The art of reading One project's use of art to stimulate discussion in family literacy sessions (December 2002)
Weaving and writing ROWA! project demonstrates innovative use of ICT in family literacy (March 2002)
Creative family literacy Using arts, drama and crafts to make family literacy fun (June 2001)
Investing in the early years Family learning in Stoke on Trent (December 2000)
Wrapped in literacy Linking literacy from nursery to primary school (December 2000)
Changing lives in Texas Even Start family literacy programme, USA (September 2000)
From bookbags to driving theory A booksharing project in Brent that has attracted traveller parents into learning (September 2000)
A whole community approach The Newport literacy team reports on their successes over the last four years (September 2000)
Partners in the fast lane Parents learn how to support their children's reading though informal worskhops (March 2000)
Keeping up with the kids Parents in Leicester find out about the literacy hour by doing it themselves (March 2000)
Parents in partnership A Reading Is Fundamental project supports a partnership between a library and a parents group (March 2000)
Norfolk Family Literacy Programme Captivating children and supporting parents (June 1998)
Family Learning Sessions at Osborne Adult Education Centres Support in North Birmingham (June 1998)
See also research articles on early years, parents and family literacy 

Foundation stage - informal versus formal teaching methods

Creating resource-rich environments Tips on creating supportive, resource-rich environments to support early writing in the foundation stage (December 2004)
A difficult balance Early years consultant Ros Bayley argues for more understanding between literacy specialists and early years practitioners (September 2004)
Building a supportive foundation National director Lesley Staggs on professional support for the foundation stage (June 2004)
Foundations of literacy Sue Palmer argues for more emphasis on early language development (March 2004)
Child's play Headteacher Gail Bedford explains her approach to play-based learning in early education (September 2003)

Gender

Boys and non-fiction: cause or effect? A two-year study looked into whether boys' underachievement in reading might be linked to their preference for non-fiction texts (December 1999)
Boys, girls and writing Elaine Millard describes a new study that has found significant differences between girls and boys in their attitude to writing (March 2001)
Raising boys' achievement Essex action research project (March 2001)
Boys catch up and overtake primary school changes reading culture and sees dramatic improvements in boys results (September 2000)
Teaching underachieving boys  Highly structured, reward-based teaching raises boys' achievement at GCSE English (December 1999)
Non-fiction for bored readers  The new Headwork non-fiction series (Oxford University Press) attempts to hook in reluctant readers through non-fiction (December 1999)
Just good reads Consulting children is key to producing books that appeal to the hesitant reader (March 2000)
See also research articles on gender

Government approaches

Tackling education the Welsh way - Jane Davidson, Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning, explains her vision for turning Wales into 'The Learning Country' (December 2003)

Guided reading/intervention strategies

Learning to succeed How Success For All, with its grouping of pupils by reading ability rather than age, has improved reading skills at one primary school (June 2005)
Evaluating Further Literacy Support - Findings from the University of Leeds' evaluation of the National Literacy Strategy's Year 5 intervention (March 2004)
One Toe at a time - Using Toe by Toe to improve the literacy skills of both adults and children (March 2004)
Success for early literacy support Outline of the programme pioneered by the Fischer Family Trust (March 2003)
What works for children with literacy difficulties? Professor Greg Brooks examines fresh evidence on intervention schemes (March 2003)
Guided reading develops fluency An effective model for using guided reading with readers at all stages of fluency (June 2002)
'Thumbs up' for early literacy support Government programme to help children struggling in the first years of school (June 2002
What works for slow readers? Greg Brooks examines the evidence for early intervention (September 1998)

Grammar

Focus on spelling Practical suggestions using an investigative approach (September 2002)
A focus on grammar  A Sheffield secondary school learns lessons from the literacy hour model used by English primary schools

ICT

Interactive literacy Maureen Lewis describes how ICT-based texts are developing new approaches to literacy teaching (December 2004)
Using ICT to improve literacy How to make best use of ICT packages to support literacy in secondary classrooms (December 2002)
Online book worlds Using the Internet to encourage book-based discussion and role play (December 2002)
Literacy help online Online literacy development activities allow adults to take control (December 2002)
Making the Internet special Dr Chris Abbott outlines work with secondary schools using the Internet with SEN pupils (December 2002)
Weaving and writing ROWA! project demonstrates innovative use of ICT in family literacy (March 2002)
Interactive skeletons promote writing How one school has used writing skeletons alongside interactive technology (March 2002)
Notschool.net Professor Stephen Heppell describes a virtual learning project for young people outside mainstream education (December 2000)
Computers and literacy: efficiency, extension or transformation? Peter Scrimshaw, Centre for Language and Communications, The Open University (December 2000)
Computers in the literacy hour Cutting, pasting, underlining and highlighting - some of the simple tools for effective use of ICT (December 2000)
ICT anyone, anytime, anywhere E-pals and lap tops help improve children's literacy and motivation (December 2000)
Tools for learning Computers support literacy and learning whatever the subject (December 2000)
Skills for life David Puttnam on the need to be literate in a changing world (June 2000)
"Press hash for one..."  How technology is affecting children's learning (June 1999)

International issues

Making international comparisons How the literacy standards of UK pupils compare internationally (September 2003)
Looking for leadership in literacy learning The New Zealand approach (September 2003)

Libraries/promoting reading

The story of a reader Amelia Foster reports on Reading Connects as it becomes part of the National Reading Campaign to support the development of a whole-school reading culture (September 2004)
Discovering reading together How a small grants scheme is supporting the Scottish Executive's Read Together Campaign (September 2004)
The role of museums, archives and libraries Findings on the role of the museums, archives and libraries sector in improving adult basic skills (December 2003)
Libraries put vision into action Andrew Stevens explains how the first national vision for public libraries is being implemented, and its role in promoting reading and learning (December 2003)
Children's attitudes to reading How they have changed since 1998 - findings from NFER research (March 2004)
First steps - into the library Libraries help parents support their children's reading - one project's approach (September 2003)
On the ball Football pundit and Reading Champion Robbie Earle on promoting reading for pleasure (June 2003)
Reaching out to families How can libraries encourage family reading among non-users? (June 2003)
Get connected NLT initiative promotes reading across the whole secondary school community (June 2003)
Making the Vital Link A project exploring the potential of libraries in supporting adult basic skills development (September 2002)
A Carnegie winner Viv Bird reflects on the role of shadowing in inspiring pupils (September 2002)
Chatterbooks and the Reading Challenge Support for schools from public library-based projects (June 2002)
Fully booked up all year round Ideas from Cramlington High School's programme of reading activities (June 2002)
A tale of a storyteller Michael Morpurgo describes how he rediscovered the joys of literacy (March 2002)
Libraries back learning Public libraries' drive to support literacy (December 2001)
Partners in reading Hounslow's approach to promoting books and library membership (March 2001)
Getting out there An overview of the the DCMS/Wolfson public libraries challenge fund projects (March 2001)
YouthBoox Young people discover a passion for reading thanks to a partnership of libraries and youthworkers (December 2000)
Ice hockey, basketball and libraries Manchester libraries team up with local ice hockey and basketball teams (September 2000)
Small stories, big impact A storysack project with Asian elders in Southampton (September 2000)
Youth workers and librarians unite! Tom Wylie, chief executive, National Youth Agency, describes a reading partnership which reaches socially excuded young people (March 2000)
Schools and libraries read together The Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Shadowing Scheme enables pupils from different schools to give presentations and talk about shortlisted books (December 1999)

National Literacy Strategy and the literacy hour

Setting in the literacy hour Kate Wall summarises one school's approach to the National Literacy Strategy (June 2005)
The impact of the literacy hour Stephen Machin and Sandra McNally of the London School of Economics report (September 2004)
Tools not rules One authority's experience of Grammar for Reading training (June 2004)
Children's attitudes to reading How they have changed since 1998 - findings from NFER research (March 2004)
Excellence and Enjoyment Director Kevan Collins on the aims of the new National Primary Strategy (September 2003)
The National Literacy Strategy: beyond 2002 Professor David Hopkins reviews progress and continuing challenges (December 2002)
Reviewing the literacy hour Julia Strong on feedback from primary teachers attending NLT conferences (June 2002)
Bringing the literacy hour to life Literacy projects in museums and galleries (March 2002)
The National Literacy Strategy: three years on NLS director Steve Anwyll reviews progress (December 2001)
A tale from the Bronx A London headteacher's reflections on US literacy programmes and comparisons to the NLS (December 2001)
Positive changes Modifying the NLS to meet pupils' needs (June 2001)
Make time for storytime Children's books should not just be support for teaching says Prue Goodwin (March 2001)
Global lessons An international approach to non-fiction in the literacy hour from ActionAid (March 2001)
The National Literacy Strategy - recognition of success Michael Barber charts the progress of the National Literacy Strategy (March 2001)
Computers in the literacy hour Cutting, pasting, underlining and highlighting - some of the simple tools for effective use of ICT (December 2001)
The Canadian challenge Senior research associate Nancy Watson, University of Toronto, describes the approach taken to evaluating the UK national literacy and numeracy strategies (September 2000)
Writing nearly 'cracked' a primary school's approach to improving writing (September 2000)
/P/ for popcorn The literacy hour in reception class (June 2000)
Keeping up with the kids Parents in Leicester find out about the literacy hour by doing it themselves (March 2000)
Making the hour your own Consultant and writer Sue Palmer on the literacy hour (March 2000)
Arts link supports literacy drive Artists in residence in three school helped bring books and stories alive (March 2000)
First steps to improving literacy  Wrexham LEA has adopted First Steps, a research-based literacy resource developed in Western Australia that provides teachers with practical classroom strategies (March 2000)
Success For All (part 1) An American reading programme is a more intensive way of delivering the National Literacy Strategy (March 2000)
Small school success Research indicates that small rural schools have not found the literacy hour problematic and children have benfited from mixed age classes by Ros Fisher, Maureen Lewis and Bernie Davis, University of Plymouth (March 2000)
An hour of fun Headteacher Anita Wright describes a range of creative literacy hour activities (December 1999)
Drama in and out of the literacy hour The role that drama plays in children's development has been recognised for many years, yet all too often its contribution to literacy development is overlooked (December 1999)
Literacy hour How one special school adapted literacy hour for visually impaired children (December 1999)
A focus on grammar  A Sheffield secondary school learns lessons from the literacy hour model use by English primary schools (December 1999)
A flexible friend how one LEA supports a flexible approach to the literacy hour (June 1999)
Mixed-age groups (June 1998)
Shared reading motivates children (June 1998)
Assessment - Weighing the pig or raising achievement? (June 1998)
An interview with John Stannard when he was Director of the National Literacy Project (September 1997)
A teacher's view of the literacy hour (September 1997)
Impressions of the literacy hour (September 1997)

Oracy/language development

Parents

Stepping into gear How Step in to Learning improves parents' literacy skills, and motivation to learn (June 2004)
First steps - into the library Libraries help parents support their children's reading - one project's approach (September 2003)
Bookstart grows up The national baby book-gifting project now works across all early years age ranges (March 2003)
Parents' role in pre-school education Researchers from the University of Wales on the Tandem project (September 2002)
Reaching fathers New ideas for involving dads in their children's literacy (September 2002)
Getting parents on board Share: a school-based parental involvement project (March 2002)
Dads and other superheroes Nottinghamshire library project working with fathers (June 2001)
Targeted language support Involving the parents of bilingual children (September 2000)
Reaching out to parents Liverpool Parent-School Partnership (September 1999)
Norfolk Family Literacy Programme (June 1998)
Family Learning Sessions at Osborne Adult Education Centre (June 1998)
Partners in the fast lane Parents learn how to support their children's reading though informal workshops
Keeping up with the kids Parents in Leicester find out about the literacy hour by doing it themselves
Parents in partnership A Reading Is Fundamental project supports a partnership between a library and a parents group
A whole community approach The Newport literacy team reports on their successes over the last four years
From bookbags to driving theory a booksharing project in Brent that has attracted traveller parents into learning

See also research articles on parents, early years and family literacy

Partnerships

On the front line Poor health and poor literacy go hand in hand
Partnerships for Literacy - report on NLT conference (December 1999)
Read On - Write Away! in Derbyshire
Collaborative approaches to literacy development in Birmingham
Kirklees Fast Lane project
BACS reading volunteers scheme

See also health, housing and sport

Phonics

A matter of time? Dr Clare Wood on the connection between reading ability, phonological awareness and sensitivity to speech rhythm (June 2004)
One Toe at a time Using Toe by Toe to improve the literacy skills of both adults and children (March 2004)
Use it or lose it Dr Rhona Stainthorp presents her findings on teachers' phonological skills (March 2003)
Phonic problems Why are phonics programmes less popular in inner-city schools? (March 2003)
Phonological awareness improves word recall Dr Maureen Dixon and Dr Morag Stuart report on their research (December 2000)
Reading schemes versus 'real books' revisited Dr Jonathan Solity looks at the research evidence on how each helps children acquire phonic skills (June 2002)
Phonics fun Gloucestershire LEA project tests out different approaches to teaching phonics (December 2001)
A step after phonics Professor Terezinha Nunes, Oxford Brookes University and Professor Peter Bryant, Oxford University (September 2000)
Questioning phonics Henrietta Dombey, University of Brighton, analyses the research evidence on teaching phonics (September 1999)
The medium is the message How the DfEE pack Progression in Phonics can be used (June 2000)
The Phonic Handbook A primary teacher describes a fun way to teach children using phonics (September 2000)

Popular culture - television, film, texting
Creating new heroes Using workshops based around comic superheroes to engage young men in developing their literacy (December 2004)
Young children, language and television US research findings on the potential language benefits of programmes for infants and toddlers (September 2004)
Watching language How a resource from the British Film Institute can support literacy teaching at key stage 3 (September 2004)

A new way of seeing - New resources help teachers use film to develop early literacy skills (March 2004)
Mobile learning Can mobile phones play a role in teaching basic skills to young people? (September 2003)
Emergent techno-literacy The impact of television, computers and mobile phones on early literacy (June 2003)
Read any good films lately? How films can be used to support the literacy hour (June 2000)

Primary/secondary transfer

Transition with RIF How a reading project can support primary-secondary transition (June 2004)
Scotland builds bridges in literacy and learning - A national pilot project in Scotland is working to combat the learning dip at the start of secondary schools (December 2003)
Teaching writing Interview with Graham Frater on successful practice across key stages 2 and 3 (March 2003)
Bridging the gap revisited One secondary school's work with primary colleagues to ensure a smooth transition between the two for pupils (June 2002)
Flying high A summer holiday project for those moving from primary to secondary education (June 2001)
Bridging the gap A project to counter the dip in achievement for children transfering from primary and secondary school (March 2001)

Prisoners

Creating new heroes Using workshops based around comic superheroes to engage young men in developing their literacy (December 2004)
Inside education How HMP Channings Wood's Higher Access Programme gets prisoners into university (June 2003)
Breaking out with basic skills Report on how prisoners are working to improve their basic skills (December 2002)
The Big Book Share Tricia Kings describes a family reading project among inmates at HMP Nottingham (December 2001)
Literacy in prisons Christine Freeman reports on a project that helped dyslexic inmates (December 1999)

Reading Is Fundamental, UK - see www.rif.org.uk

Transition with RIF How a reading project can support primary-secondary transition (June 2004)
Opening the pages Reading Is Fundamental, UK working in partnership with the British Library (September 2001)
Partners in reading Hounslow's approach to promoting books and library membership (March 2001)
Shared Beginnings Helping parents develop their young children's language and learning skills (March 2001)
A whole community approach The Newport literacy team reports on their successes over the last four years (September 2000)
Parents in partnership A Reading Is Fundamental project support a partnership between a library and a parents group  (March 2000)
The Roade to reading A school reading scheme supported by RIF makes reading fun and raises standards (March 2000)
Millwall spreads the word in the holidays RIF, UK works with Millwall football club
England star visits school RIF, UK teams up with Rio Ferdinand

Research

Special educational needs

Bookmark support on reading difficulties Online support for those working with children with reading difficulties (December 2004)
Crossing pen friend divides - A long-term member shares her experiences of Write Away, a pen-friend club that encourages communication between those with disabilities and those without (December 2003)
Making the Internet special Dr Chris Abbott outlines work with secondary schools using the Internet with SEN pupils (December 2002)
Tackling challenging children The link between inattentive and hyperactive behaviour and poor educational attainment (September 2002)

Sport

Sporting chances How sports clubs can support literacy work (March 2002)
Sporting words PE and literacy in Old Hall School, South Yorkshire (June 2000)
Football training leads to better communication Work with Somali refugees (September 1998)
Millwall spreads the word in the holidays RIF, UK works with Millwall football club
England star visits school RIF, UK teams up with Rio Ferdinand
Wakefield School discovers real men read Rugby league heroes help motivate boys to read

Storytelling/storysacks

So, you want to tell a story? A partnership between First Steps and Storysack creator Neil Griffiths has developed a new approach to storytelling (September 2004)
Imitation, innovation and invention - Pie Corbett reports on how storytelling can help children use narrative language (June 2004)
Doing stories US early years educationalist Vivian Gussin Paley describes how storytelling activities can develop oracy, social skills and confidence (December 2001)
Business support for storysacks Harlow businesses join the city's drive to improve basic skills (March 2001)
Once upon a time... Viv Bird talks to Neil Griffiths about storysacks (March 2001)
Small stories, big impact A storysack project with Asian elders in Southampton (September 2000)
Curiosity Kits An evaluation of the effectiveness of non-fiction book bags (September 1999)
Norfolk Family Literacy Programme Storysacks and family literacy (June 1998)

Teaching practice

Going keyboard crazy for mental literacy Teacher John Bell describes how quick-fire classroom activities improved literacy levels (June 2005)
The language of discussion Colin Hannaford argues that teachers' classroom practice can prevent pupils from developing discussion skills (June 2005)
Leading literacy Deputy headteacher Graham Tyrer explains how a focus on literacy and leadership helped the school to move out of special measures (December 2004)
Teach and learn Reversing the roles and turning the learner into the teacher supports pupils who are struggling with literacy at Norwood Girls' School (September 2004)
Assessment for literacy? - How Assessment for Learning can support whole-school literacy teaching (March 2004)
Leading the way in literacy - How the Leading Literacy Schools initiative will provide a structured approach for the dissemination of successful practice (December 2003)
Read aloud and learn Maths teacher Colin Hannaford on how to create confident, self-reliant learners (June 2003)

See also research articles on teaching practice

Thinking skills

Whole brain learning for literacy Graham Tyrer reflects on how the principles may be used to support literacy teaching (September 2002)
Developing thinking skills Paired thinking - a development on the paired reading technique (September 2001)
Speaking to learn Five and six-year-olds develop their questioning and reasoning skills (December 2000)

Volunteering/mentoring

Reading one-to-one Chief executive Angela Monaghan explains how Reading Matters uses mentors to support reading in secondary schools (June 2005)
Teach and learn Reversing the roles and turning the learner into the teacher supports pupils who are struggling with literacy at Norwood Girls' School (September 2004)
Buddying benefits Maximising support for literacy in the local community (March 2004)
Peer assisted learning for inclusion Professor Keith Topping on peer learning in literacy (September 2003)
Learning mentors lead on literacy Helping low-attaining pupils to take responsibility for their learning (June 2003)
Business volunteers The benefits for pupils and employees in two initiatives (September 2002)
Secondary reading volunteers A partnership between Hanson school in Bradford and charity Reading Matters for Life (December 2001)
BACS reading volunteers scheme Benefits for pupils and volunteers (June 1997)
NFT employees build confidence  A volunteer reading programme (December 1999)
Success For All A volunteer reading programme supported by Boots (June 1999)

Whole school approaches and key stage 3 literacy

Supporting cast... or key players? The role of teaching assistants in supporting literacy at key stage 3 (September 2003)Get connected NLT initiative promotes reading across the whole secondary school community (June 2003)
Making links How Literacy Across the Curriculum fits in with other strands of the KS3 Strategy (June 2003)
Talk is vital Alan Howe on speaking and listening within the Key Stage 3 Strategy (March 2003)
Overcoming barriers Julia Strong reviews the first year of the key stage 3 strategy (September 2002)
Making links How Literacy Across the Curriculum fits in with other strands of the KS3 National Strategy (June 2003)
Whole school literacy: raising the game Developing literacy policy in the light of the key stage 3 strategy (June 2002)
A whole-school language strategy Strategies to meet the challenges of a linguistically diverse school (March 2002)
From Inset to action How do you follow up a whole-school literacy training day and put ideas into practice? (March 2002)
A dialogue on literacy Professor David Wray describes a new framework to support literacy across the curriculum (December 2001)
Language across the curriculum comes to life Michael Marland welcomes the reintroduction of cross-curricular language teaching (June 2001)
Secondary literacy made simple NLT deputy director Julia Strong explains the background to the extension of the National Literacy Strategy (March 2001)
A literacy policy in action Fortismere School's approach (June 2000)
Science and whole-school literacy The approach at South Camden Community School (March 2000)
Making your whole-school approach to literacy effective Tips from NLT deputy director Julia Strong (September 1999)
The power of a whole-school approach to language A secondary headteacher involved in the DfEE Key Stage 3 literacy pilot describes her school's approach (June 1999)
Secondary literacy success Myrtle Springs School, Sheffield on the literacy hour at key stage 3 and whole-school literacy (March 2001)
Challenges facing the literacy coordinator Christine Counsell, Cambridge University School of Education argues that  subjects matter (September 2000)

Workplace and vocational training

Getting employers on board Basic skills improvement as part of the wider business development strategy (March 2003)
Literacy support in vocational training An Australian initiaitive to integrate provision (September 2002)
On track with basic skills Basic skills support at Virgin Trains (June 2003)
School caretakers improve skills Vocational training incorporates literacy (March 2002)
Unions take the lead The role of unions in improving basic skills in the workplace (June 2001)
Workplace Basic Skills Network Fiona Frank, coordination manager of the Network, describes the Government's Building Basic Skills in the Workplace initiative (December 2000)
Intensive literacy courses in the workplace Thurrock Council staff take part in basic skills courses (September 2000)

Writing

Effective teachers of writing Colin Mills describes the classroom practices of effective teachers of writing (June 2005)
Writing together Advice for schools on getting the best out of a visit by a professional writer (September 2004)
Entombment or enlightenment? Recommended classroom activities for improving writing (June 2004)
The fourth R Sue Palmer argues for a return of reading aloud to the primary classroom (June 2003)
Teaching writing Interview with Graham Frater on successful practice across key stages 2 and 3 (March 2003)
Writing class inspires the homeless Report on the Ace of Clubs project, supported by Consignia's Stepping Stone fund (June 2002)
Interactive skeletons promote writing How one school has used writing skeletons alongside interactive technology (March 2002)
Effective marking How marking can be used to support children in their writing and get reluctant writers started (March 2002)
Skeletons for writing Sue Palmer describes the new NLS cross-curricular writing strategy (December 2001)
Improving writing Improving children's writing through individual target setting (December 2001)
Year of writing A year-long focus on writing at Market Weighton school, East Yorkshire (September 2001)
Talk for writing The thinking behind the the NLS's Developing Early Writing materials (June 2001)
Push On Writing! A resource kit for classroom assistants and volunteers (June 2001)
Boys, girls and writing Elaine Millard describes a new study that has found significant differences between girls and boys in their attitude to writing (March 2001)
Writing nearly 'cracked' A primary school's approach to improving writing (September 2000)
Writing empowers unemployed youth in Newcastle (December 1998)
Write from the start The case for real communication as well as phonics and spelling exercises (June 1998)

Young people

YouthBOOX moves on Referring excluded youngsters on to basic skills provision (June 2004)
Basic skills with a purpose Integrating basic skills into the Prince's Trust Volunteers programme (March 2003)
Writing empowers unemployed youth in Newcastle (December 1998)
Real-life issues help disadvantaged teenagers engage with writing (December 1998)
Using sport to help refugees communicate (September 1998)
Words on the streets in Doncaster
What is emotional literacy? Understanding emotional literacy is key to helping young people succeed