Sunshine Books Blog

The Knowledge-Rich Curriculum The aim of this blog is to spark curiosity and open dialogue around what a knowledge-rich curriculum is, and why educators may

Morphology What is morphology? Morphology is the study of the smallest units of meaning in a word. These parts or bases are called morphemes. English

AI in the Classroom The hype around the use of AI continues to build. AI is being used increasingly in classrooms, and it’s not just

Phonological Awareness What is phonological awareness? Phonological awareness is the umbrella term or concept which includes phonemic awareness of the individual speech sounds in words

Shared Reading in a Structured Literacy Classroom Shared reading is a powerful teaching technique which has a strong research base. It supports and improves students:

The Literacy Block in a Structured Literacy Classroom Juggling the demands of a busy classroom is not for the faint hearted, and ensuring that you

Reading Comprehension (Part 2 of 2) Practical classroom activities to help build reading comprehension This blog is Part 2 of a two-part blog on comprehension.

Reading Comprehension (Part 1 of 2) At some point in our teaching careers we have all come across those students who after reading a page

Let’s Talk: Strategies for Oral Language Success “Reading and writing float on a sea of talk.” – James Britton 1970 It is widely accepted by

From Misspelt to Mastered: Understanding Spelling Instruction The importance of teaching spelling has long been overlooked. If you trained as a teacher during the ‘balanced

Words Matter: Elevating Vocabulary Instruction in the Classroom David Geary, in his work on cognitive development, introduces the concept of Biological Primary Knowledge as a

Navigating the Classroom: Small Group Instruction vs Whole Class Instruction in Years 0-3 This blog aims to spark dialogue and encourage educators to critically examine

Mastering Reading Fluency – The Pillar to Solid Reading Comprehension In the vast landscape of reading instruction, fluency stands as a crucial pillar to comprehension.

Understanding the challenges and terrain faced by older children who are struggling readers One of the most challenging obstacles faced by older struggling readers is

While it’s true that human beings have inherent cognitive abilities that aid in navigating the world and acquiring certain skills, there are crucial areas, particularly

The Hidden Powers of Take-Home Reading In the realm of education, where debates about the efficacy of homework persist, there is a beacon of hope

What is a Common Exception Word or Tricky Word? This is any word that has a sound or sounds in it that the children have not been taught

What are decodable books? Decodable books are designed to support a Synthetic Phonics method of teaching reading. In Synthetic Phonics, letter sounds (phonemes) and the