Research With A Primary Focus

SECTION 2: RELEVANT RESEARCH ABOUT THE LEARNING AND TEACHING OF LITERACY

Note: In these pages the term 'literacy' is  used, as is generally accepted in England,  to refer to teaching and learning in this area in primary schools.  It is not intended to carry a limited technical meaning, but to denote a wide conception of work in this area at the primary level, including, inter alia,  talk of many kinds and the exploration and creation of works of literature.  However, the pages that follow focus on the contentious area of learning to read.

What follows is a collection of propositions supported by empirical or conceptual research.  They are not intended as a substitute for reading the texts cited, but as an indication of the range and variety of research underpinning the effective teaching and learning of literacy.  We hope they might suggest fruitful directions for future reading.  Further items will be added from time to time.

a)      Literacy and literacy learning in general

b)      Reading and the brain

c)      Early literacy learning

d)      Phonics

e)      Literacy teaching in the primary years

f)       Changing literacy scores