Life Based Learning ™
Delivering subject content through nine life themes
Category: Communication, Literacy & Oracy
Martha Mills Young Writers’ Prize
‘A Secret’ is the theme of this year’s Martha Mills Young Writers’ Prize, the judging panel for which includes bestselling author Philip Pullman. Now in its second year, the prize is inspired by the curiosity and imagination of Martha Mills, a keen writer who… Continue Reading “Martha Mills Young Writers’ Prize”
World Book Day 2024
Today – Thursday 7 March – is World Book Day across the UK and Ireland, an annual celebration of books, reading and all things literary. No surprise, then, that it is always a big day in any school calendar, with many schools, for example,… Continue Reading “World Book Day 2024”
Reading together
Children’s laureates past and present are calling on the government to commit to long-term national investment to offer children “a life that is rich in reading”. The letter is in support of a new campaign by the charity BookTrust to highlight the importance of… Continue Reading “Reading together”
Supporting music in schools
Andrew Lloyd Webber has been joined by stars of the music industry such as Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran and the members of Coldplay, and by various music industry leaders, in calling for public funding to massively expand his Music in Secondary Schools Trust (MISST)… Continue Reading “Supporting music in schools”
National Poetry Day 2023
I have always been comfortable with words. Nowadays I read every day, and reading was a big part of my growing-up too, though only stuff I enjoyed. I started with the Famous Five, moved on to comics and football annuals, and then graduated in… Continue Reading “National Poetry Day 2023”
Reciting poetry
There is a moment in the film Dead Poets Society that conjures up memories of my own schooldays. We are in a Latin class, the students declining the noun agricola (farmer) in unison. When they reach the ablative plural agricolis, their teacher Mr McAllister… Continue Reading “Reciting poetry”
Benefits of oracy
A primary school deputy headteacher points to a “dramatic improvement” in children’s speaking and listening and to clear impact across the curriculum – “from problem solving in maths, to expressing opinions about books, to resolving playground conflicts”. The leader of an educational charity talks… Continue Reading “Benefits of oracy”
Giving children a voice
How refreshing it was to see references to the importance of teaching oracy in schools high up the public agenda, albeit momentarily, a few weeks ago. Oracy – speaking skills – featured in a speech on education policy delivered by Sir Keir Starmer, leader… Continue Reading “Giving children a voice”
Valuing our libraries
We all know that libraries are a good thing, right? But how much of a good thing? For the first time we can express the value of libraries in monetary terms. A new report – Libraries for living, and for living better – suggests… Continue Reading “Valuing our libraries”
Creativity and the arts
‘Apparently the arts and humanities aren’t important’ – so tweeted architectural historian and broadcaster Jonathan Foyle at the weekend alongside a photo like the one above of the vast Glastonbury crowd. His ironic tweet hints at widespread concern about the downgrading of creative subjects… Continue Reading “Creativity and the arts”