Deer Class

We read a lot of books. Follow us to find out more about our learning in Year Five and Six at Moorlands Primary Academy.

[Jon Biddle @jonnybid]

A few months ago, @MarieZarro97723 and I came up with the idea of creating pupil-judged awards for verse novels written for children. Thanks to the incredible generosity of @theliteracytree and @BadgerLearning Learning, we've been able to make it a reality.

[Jon Biddle @jonnybid]

With EmpathyLab's Empathy Day Festival only a couple of weeks away, do make sure you sign your school up for these fantastic free author events.

https://t.co/tDVE3xeEFS

[Jon Biddle @jonnybid]

I watched a fantastic adaptation of Crossing the Line by @tiafisher_ last night, a book which tackles the growing County Lines crisis.

In the Q&A session afterwards, I was delighted to learn that the team are now planning to take it into secondary schools across the country.

[Jon Biddle @jonnybid]

Look Both Ways by Jason Reynolds is a wonderful collection of loosely linked short stories, and one I dip into regularly with pupils. I really enjoyed creating a set of free teaching resources based around the book for @TeachPrimary magazine.

https://t.co/v7k7OEOVgm

[Jon Biddle @jonnybid]

I was extremely fortunate to attend the Young Poet Laureate poetry masterclass at Faber and Faber with one of my Year 5 pupils yesterday. The programme, organised by the @NatPoetryCentre and the @Literacy_Trust, is outstanding.

[Jon Biddle @jonnybid]

On Thursday 21st May, the fantastic @RuddickRichard and I will be delivering an after-school online session on using graphic novels in the primary classroom. There will be lots of practical ideas and book recommendations, as well as time for questions.

https://t.co/cXz8E6jWAc

[Marie Jean @MarieZarro97723]

I love the Rights of the Reader by Daniel Pennac and re-reading his book has been simply glorious. Insightful, funny, challenging and still so very relevant ❣️📚
If you can get hold of a copy, I highly recommend you do!

[Jon Biddle @jonnybid]

Frank the Monster by Mats Strandberg, illustrated by Sofia Falkenhem and translated by Julia Marshall, is a charmingly quirky story about Frank Steen, a 9yo boy who accidentally gets turned into a werewolf. Lots of fun and exactly the right level of spooky for Y2/3 readers.

[Jon Biddle @jonnybid]

Poetry Pizza by Simon Mole (illustrated by Tom McLaughlin) is a glorious collection of poems for children. Funny, heartwarming, thoughtful and cleverly written. This will be a major player in our Poem of the Day slot over the next few months. Would work well across KS2.

[Jon Biddle @jonnybid]

If you work at a primary school in London, do sign up for the London Schools Literature Festival in May and June. There are over 20,000 free places for London pupils and the list of children's authors and poets attending is absolutely huge.

More here: https://t.co/YC9SeQa9js

[Jon Biddle @jonnybid]

Poet Neal Zetter has built a wonderful back catalogue of children's poetry books over recent years. His latest, Small Poems for Big Imaginations, is another great collection - ideal for performing in the classroom, either individually or in groups. Perfect for KS2.

[Jon Biddle @jonnybid]

Wow! We had a fantastic poetry session with @LewisBuxton93 this morning. Our pupils loved his rhymes and raps, and thoroughly enjoyed writing their own. It was fun, engaging and totally inspirational. Highly recommended. Thank you @Literacy_Trust. #YoungPoetsWeek

[Jon Biddle @jonnybid]

Very excited about having @LewisBuxton93 visit my school on Wednesday as part of @Literacy_Trust's Young Poets Week. Always enjoy the opportunity to raise the profile of poetry with our pupils.

[Jon Biddle @jonnybid]

The schools and early years offer for the National Year of Reading has been released. The links to the @Literacy_Trust videos are below.
EYFS: https://t.co/bjLmSrOQ3j
Primary: https://t.co/y8v2JsCmTY
Secondary: https://t.co/bYPw4VVEcM
Please share widely.

[Jon Biddle @jonnybid]

Had a fantastic morning meeting children's author Eilish Fisher @EilishFisher. Our children loved listening to her stories about her life as a writer. A huge thank you @NorwichStones and @PenguinUKBooks for making it happen!

[Jon Biddle @jonnybid]

Very excited to be hosting a visit from Irish children's author @EilishFisher at my school next week. I've heard LOTS of good things about her verse novel, Fia and the Last Snow Deer. Thank you for organising, @NorwichStones.

[Jon Biddle @jonnybid]

Thank you @tompalmerauthor @CarolinaRabei @ScholasticUKTch for a fantastic session this morning. We learned a lot and all thoroughly enjoyed drawing Judy! We hope you like them. #WarDog

[Jon Biddle @jonnybid]

If you're looking to build a school collection of graphic novels, @ScholasticUKTch have just launched a fantastic new deal. Their Graphic Novel Book Box is updated every term with ten new graphic novels and loads of bonus posters and bookmarks.
Link here: https://t.co/F5dnRtZo2n

[Jon Biddle @jonnybid]

Loved this book and delighted to see it's been shortlisted for the 2025 East Anglian Book Awards. Well deserved, @jimcockinauthor.

[Jon Biddle @jonnybid]

Michael Rosen Day is happening on Thursday 13th November! If you haven't signed up yet, make sure you do. There's a free live @MichaelRosenYes event, a poetry competition (#ShareAPoem) and loads of great resources. Join the poetry party! #MichaelRosenDay https://t.co/5mD6om0YJu