Blog

In a world of tablets, laptops and typing, many parents wonder does handwriting still matter? The answer is yes, but perhaps not for the reasons you […]

Many children find writing difficult. They might have good ideas but struggle to get them onto paper. Others feel unsure where to start or lose confidence […]

How I teach children to write using what they love I teach children how to write in English using texts and books they enjoy. When I […]

One of the most effective ways to teach non-fiction writing for children is to begin with books children already love.  A good story fires the imagination […]

When I first trained as a primary teacher during my PGCE, I learned how English is taught in primary schools step by step- from phonics and […]

In Learning Through Celebrations, I share how seasonal events can bring learning to life… As the seasons change, celebrations offer wonderful opportunities to bring learning to […]

I recently began learning Chinese at my local university and the very first thing I was taught was how to pronounce the pinyin sounds. These early […]

When I teach children to write with confidence, one of the simplest but most powerful tools I use is reading aloud. Whether it’s a parent sharing […]

When I teach a child English, I not only use my years of classroom experience but I am also drawing on my own journey as a […]

For the Love of Books: How I Use Roald Dahl to Teach Writing At Mrs Shipley’s Classroom, books are at the heart of learning. We read […]

Understanding the English School System: What Parents Need to Know For many international families, the English education system can feel unfamiliar. Parents who have experience of […]

How Phonics and SPaG Build Confident Writers Parents often ask: “Why do teachers put so much emphasis on phonics and grammar?” Simply because they are the […]

As a teacher for over 20 years, I know that children who read high-quality books regularly, develop richer vocabularies, stronger comprehension skills and the foundations they […]

Welcome to Mrs Shipley’s Classroom I am pleased to share that my new website, Mrs Shipley’s Classroom, is now live! This site brings together everything I’ve […]