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Handwriting matters

Feb 13, 2018 | Category: writing

Some years ago, during the interview for a role as Head of English in a secondary school, all the candidates were asked to speak about what we would prioritise if we were to get the job. I have no mem...

#cursive #handwriting #working memory #cognitive load #AB pen #Anti-ballistic pen #handwriting bias #tripod grip

What does improve children's writing?

Dec 01, 2017 | Category: writing

In my last post I discussed evidence that suggests grammar teaching does not lead to an improvement in children's writing. Although it seems implausible that grammar teaching would not be positively c...

#grammar #Slow Writing #Greg Ashman

Can grammar teaching improve pupils’ writing?

Nov 29, 2017 | Category: writing

Let me begin with an anecdote. The first time I ever really encountered the meta language of grammar was after finishing my degree in English Literature and embarking on a six-week course to qualify t...

#grammar #Dominic Wyse

The Capital Letter Problem Part 2: Pressure and release

Aug 27, 2016 | Category: writing

In my last post I defined what I'm calling The Capital Letter Problem and set out some of its causes. Briefly, children pick up and embed bad habits when writing and, although they often know what sho...

#proofreading #Linda Parelli

The Capital Letter Problem - Part 1

Aug 26, 2016 | Category: writing

I have almost never met a secondary age child who doesn't conceptually understand how to use a capital letter.* But, you'd never know. Students regularly hand in work liberally sprinkled with missing...

#writing #working memory #capital letters

Why study grammar?

May 12, 2016 | Category: writing

Trying to express complex thoughts in simple English ... is demanding, challenging and takes time.Terry Leahy There's been a lot of fuss over the past week about whether it's appropriate to assess chi...

#grammar #Daisy Christodoulou

On bullshit: the value of clarity, precision and economy

Feb 08, 2016 | Category: writing

"Good writers are those who keep the language efficient. That is to say, keep it accurate, keep it clear." Ezra Pound I've always been of the opinion that saying what you mean clearly, precisely and...

#bullshit #Dick Mack #Ernest Gowers #Harry Frankfurt #Terry Leahy

Rubrics warp teaching and assessment

Dec 11, 2015 | Category: writing

Men are more apt to be mistaken in their generalizations than in their particular observations.Machiavelli In a recent blog post, children's author, Michael Rosen has suggested how teachers should t...

#Greg Ashman #Michael Rosen #comparative judgement

If writing is magic, grammar is alchemy

Nov 09, 2015 | Category: writing

I really do not know that anything has ever been more exciting than diagramming sentences. I like the feeling the everlasting feeling of sentences as they diagram themselves.Gertrude Stein Writing i...

#grammar #Michael Rosen

What if I'm wrong? @HeyMissSmith savages #WrongBook

Jul 08, 2015 | Category: writing

Several people have very kindly written about why they like my new book, What if everything you know about education is wrong? but refreshingly, Jane Manzone (@HeyMissSmith) has reached entirely diffe...

#WrongBook