Q We want to target literacy intervention as efficiently and economically as possible. What do you recommend?
A The DfES produced a review of 25 of the most popular “Wave Three” intervention programmes last year. Download a summary at www.dfes.gov.ukresearch .
However, it doesn’t mention the factor I think most important when choosing a teaching resource; that is, how appealing it is to the teachers. If they like it, their enthusiasm will be transmitted to the children, and motivated children learn better. If the teachers don’t like it, the teaching will be half-hearted and the children will probably not learn much.
On this principle, I’d go for a pick and mix programme, which I find important in SEN teaching. One called Tracks provides a range of different but interrelated teaching routes to literacy so that when a child stalls on one route, he or she can transfer to another. For further information see www.tracksliteracy.co.uk
* Please email questions to SNExtra@tes.co.uk or write to TES Extra for Special Needs, Admiral House, 66-68 East Smithfield, London ElW lBX.
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