Hi Folks. Apologies to anyone who was expecting #PrimaryRocks to be running tonight, but it won't be on now this term. Everything is alright, but something has to give and...

Unfortunately I can’t make #PrimaryRocks tonight but I do have this as a puzzle for you! Answers to follow!

Thanks for a great chat, everyone! Enjoy the break! We get TWO weeks! See you all on 9th June! #PrimaryRocks

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Final final #PrimaryRocks Question... What about celebrity authors - David Baddiel, David Walliams, Tom Fletcher et al. ? Would they make it on to your reading curriculum?

I see so many spines that trudge through “classics” that children struggle to connect with. We would do a disservice to our pupils by not balancing and introducing new as well as older. Imagine ignoring “The Final Year” by Matt Goodfellow or “Fallout” by Lesley Parr both stunning books

#PrimaryRocks Q3 Final question tonight! Reading aloud... How important is it and when is the right time to stop?

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docs.google.com/document/d/1... It's a working document on our website and includes a form for suggestions for the next review that anybody can contribute to.

Reading Spine

Reading Spine Every Child’s Entitlement This is our reading range - the books that every child in our school will hear read aloud from cover to cover. Some of them are instructional texts, to be stu...

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We review our Reading Spine every 2 years, at the announcement of the new children's laureate.

It really is. It helps having very knowledgeable staff. The oversight of the books equally has to open children up to books and help them develop their taste and passion. #PrimaryRocks

-Mix of genres, protagonist (male, female, animal). -mix of cultures/settings -Mix of antiquated language (even though I'd drop this happily, a secondary teacher once convinced me) -mix of 'themes' -balance of author age/race/gender

#PrimaryRocks Q2 Along similar lines... How do you strike the balance between 'literary classics' and inclusive, contemporary voices in your reading offer?

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A good reading spine should absolutely serve the community it belongs to. It connects and creates, allowing children to reach a diet of literature that may not have been readily available for them. #PrimaryRocks

#PrimaryRocks Q1 What should a good reading spine do – and what lessons have you learned from mistakes when building yours?

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I have two on the go - my 'big' read and my quick 'dib into' read that I have read before but can't remember whodunit...

Always have 2 on the go, one for downstairs and one for bedtime!

Yay for #PrimaryRocks I am loving reading at the moment and I am currently reading this book '59 Memory Lane' which is a beautiful story and a nice break from my usual Stephen King, Greg Horowitz or Freda McFadden. What are you current favourite adult reads?

👀 A range of resources about #GenAI for #primary schools on our website. 🔗 cornerstoneprimary.hants.sch.uk/digital-corn... Including the link for this week's free #AI Primary online staff meetings. 🗓️ 20 May and 22 May 🕛 3.45 pm ✔️ Policy ✔️ Case Studies ✔ Demos @primaryrocks.bsky.social

Join us tonight from 8pm for the next edition of #PrimaryRocks! Tonight, we are looking at reading! @grahamandre.bsky.social @misscleveland.bsky.social @hazelmpinner.bsky.social @geordiecat2012.bsky.social @misterbodd.bsky.social @smithsmm.bsky.social

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OK you lovely lot! That's it for this week! Have a great week, y'all, and - if you need it - make sure to put your sun cream and cap on! See you all next week for #PrimaryRocks

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Final #PrimaryRocks question of the night... How do you help your team hold the line on high standards without burning out or becoming rigid?

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#PrimaryRocks Q4 Which lesson from a mistake has shaped your practice more than any CPD ever could?

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I think it's really good to mix up the order of subjects. Flexibility, promotes equality between subjects, makes sure every day isn't always the same (not that it ever is in schools)

We use Trello to document CPD and in the moment feedback. Teachers reflect on their own CPD on their Trello board and how this has improved/ changed their teaching. All linked to the SDP priorities for the year. #primaryrocks

Partially in the picture books and texts you select, trips and other aspects Mainly though it’s in a smile, a shared joke, a moment of human connection. It’s in belonging #primaryrocks

#PrimaryRocks Q3 What’s one thing we do in schools that we only still do because we've always done it that way?

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If you are struggling for joy, you cannot inspire the students; they tend to feed off teachers, and teachers vice-versa. It’s hard job and without finding joy even more a challenge. #PrimaryRocks

#PrimaryRocks Q2: What role should joy play in the school day – and how do we protect it?

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OK #PrimaryRocks... Here we go! First question tonight: Which bit of educational advice would you happily never hear again – and why?

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I've not had a screwball in about 30 years and now I desperately NEED one

#PrimaryRocks is back and so is the #Pre @primaryrocks.bsky.social question. The sun has been shining on us recently and we all love an ice lolly in this weather. Do you agree with this list?