Classroom assistants are increasingly relied upon to support the most needy pupils, and they have had significantly less training than their colleagues with qualified teacher status. It is clear that these assistants need some very practical materials. This book provides photocopiable resources so that classroom assistants can get to work.
The book covers all they need to know about literacy, it explains in very simple terms what is expected from them and:
*how the National Literacy Strategy works
*how to support reading, writing and spelling
*how to select fiction and non-fiction
*how to help children use computers
It also covers issues such as:
*how to help children for whom English is not their first language
*how to help children with special needs
*how to set targets and monitor progress.
As well as providing an invaluable manual for assistants, Supporting Literacy will be useful for SENCOs and English Co-ordinators who are training support staff and volunteers in primary schools. Learning Support Assistants and others following recognised courses (eg Specialist Teacher's Assistants) will find the book helpful in the study of children's literacy.

'This book gives thorough, clear and practical advice on the subject of supporting literacy. In a readable, user-friendly style it covers reading, writing, spelling, special needs, bilingual children and the use of computers. Each chapter ends with a bullet-pointed summary of the major isues, and a list of useful and accessible books for further reading. There is also an excellent glossary and a selection of useful photocpiable resources.' - Sue Palmer, Times Educational Supplement

'This book is an excellent resource. Literacy coordinators will feel confident in using this material to lead training sessions themselves.' - Thelma Page, Teachers' Bookshelf

Kate Grant is an Education Writer, Trainer and Consultant. She has trained many Classroom Assistants to support children's reading and writing. Originally a primary school teacher, she has specialised in teaching children with literacy difficulties for 20 years, and in 1994 she created the successful '15 minutes a Day' Reading Programme, used by Classroom Assistants in many schools.