John Walker, Sounds-Write
@SWLiteracy
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Educator, blogger (https://t.co/bbF4RbrBIK), Sounds-Write literacy programme
UK
Joined March 2009
We’re celebrating another Silver Accredited School today by adding Delves Lane Primary School to the map! 📍 Congratulations to Delves Lane! 🌟
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This week @Civitas_UK published an excellent collection of essays on the importance of the knowledge-rich curriculum, and I contributed a chapter on knowledge and how it links to behaviour. You can read the whole thing- and my chapter here (link in next post)
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We’re delighted to announce that the Sounds‑Write Initial Code App has been recognised in a recent study of over 9,000 apps claiming to support early reading. From these, 309 phonics apps were formally reviewed, and the Sounds‑Write Initial Code App ranked 2nd overall, standing
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It is done. Here are clickable links of over 400 books in the western canon, separated by age group. It's meant for all of you who want the best for your child's education and for your own as well. The good news? Emily Dickinson was right when she said of books: "How frugal is
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It’s so bizarre and sad that phonics, one of the most evidence-informed, demonstrably successful areas in education, continues to be denied by some. It would be comical if the dangers of accepting this denialism weren’t so damaging to children’s literacy
theconversation.com
The proportion of children in England who struggle to read has remained at a similar level for many years.
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The Sounds-Write Initial Code app ( https://t.co/29WwwwWiYZ) was ranked 2nd amongst all of the apps (309) reviewed in a recent study. The authors of 'Finding the Needle in the Haystack: A Quality Appraisal of Mobile Applications for Foundational Literacy Skills' reviewed 309
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Hugely important story in Sunday Times. Sixthformers need to be told which uni courses have no financial return - and which apprenticeships are the best bet. HMG holds this info in the LEO database. It’s time to make it public - so all teenagers can make an informed choice.
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What is the impact of banning phones in class? - Phone free classrooms showed less disruptive behaviour, reduced off topic conversation, and less peer chatter. - The intervention improved classroom dynamics without harming student wellbeing, motivation, or attendance. - Lower
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Yes! I wrote an article on the importance of reading whole books that just came out in American Educator, & it makes many of the same points as @StamStam193 : https://t.co/0nXmzY3HOp
aft.org
@StamStam193 for the win… AGAIN! ⚡️“This is the power of reading whole books.”📚 https://t.co/3sVVICTX6J
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NEW: A discussion of the essay collection, The Value of a Knowledge-Rich Curriculum. Knowledge is not about status or nostalgia but access. Access to disciplines, to shared reference points, to the long human conversation that too many children are excluded from. ink below...
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A seat at the table" knowledge, inheritance and the purpose of schooling
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Does it really make a difference if students read whole books rather than only brief texts & excerpts? Evidence indicates the answer is "yes." Plus it's a lot more engaging. @DougLemov @karenvaites @HKorbey See my new piece in American Educator: https://t.co/0nXmzY4fDX
aft.org
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I recently got to see a handwriting app in development that Yiran is working on. Really impressed. The focus on explicit instruction of high leverage components of FMS/writing with spaced retrieval could be a game-changer. @AlphaSchoolATX @gauntletai
"Keep the hands in mind" — indeed. Fine motor skills (FMS) have been largely overlooked in the era of the internet. A new meta-analysis identified a positive correlation between FMS and academic success, and the details are fascinating. The study aggregated 118 articles to
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We’re delighted to share that Sounds‑Write has been awarded the Corporate Social Responsibility Award at the Education Today Awards. This recognition speaks to the heart of our mission: ensuring every child has the opportunity to learn to read and write. It also reflects the
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SEND does not mean misbehaviour, and misbehaviour does not mean SEND. Students with SEND can and should experience consequences for their actions, as long as reasonable adjustments and accommodations have been made. Having an SEND label does not provide a carte blanche immunity
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Kids are adaptable, as we saw by how quickly they adapted to phone-free schools, and started talking to each other and playing games at lunch. Australian parents are already reporting that their teens are adapting in positive ways, in @guardian
https://t.co/m229eodZCc
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If you grew up in the 1970s, you probably possess these rare traits.
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Surprisingly large correlations between fine motor skills and academic outcomes. Biggest correlate is ability using a pencil/pen. True for adults too. Humans are embodied creatures. Our hands help our brains to learn.
"Keep the hands in mind" — indeed. Fine motor skills (FMS) have been largely overlooked in the era of the internet. A new meta-analysis identified a positive correlation between FMS and academic success, and the details are fascinating. The study aggregated 118 articles to
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The Illusion of Performance has been published in American Educator and is freely available to everyone. @C_Hendrick and @DrJimHeal @LisaHansel For a 15% discount on the book visit https://t.co/5z4okgFdgM and use the code InstructionalIllusions15 by March 31, 2026.
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