Primary Rocks Edchat
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primaryrocks.bsky.social
Primary Rocks Edchat
@primaryrocks.bsky.social
@primaryrocks1 on X/Twitter
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Feeling out this platform
Hi Folks. Apologies to anyone who was expecting #PrimaryRocks to be running tonight, but it won't be on now this term. Everything is alright, but something has to give and...
June 16, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Unfortunately I can’t make #PrimaryRocks tonight but I do have this as a puzzle for you! Answers to follow!
June 9, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Thanks for a great chat, everyone!

Enjoy the break!

We get TWO weeks!

See you all on 9th June!

#PrimaryRocks
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May 19, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Final final #PrimaryRocks Question...

What about celebrity authors - David Baddiel, David Walliams, Tom Fletcher et al. ? Would they make it on to your reading curriculum?
May 19, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Reposted by Primary Rocks Edchat
I see so many spines that trudge through “classics” that children struggle to connect with.

We would do a disservice to our pupils by not balancing and introducing new as well as older. Imagine ignoring “The Final Year” by Matt Goodfellow or “Fallout” by Lesley Parr both stunning books
May 19, 2025 at 7:48 PM
#PrimaryRocks Q3

Final question tonight!

Reading aloud...

How important is it and when is the right time to stop?
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May 19, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Reposted by Primary Rocks Edchat
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
It's a working document on our website and includes a form for suggestions for the next review that anybody can contribute to.
Reading Spine
Reading Spine Every Child’s Entitlement This is our reading range - the books that every child in our school will hear read aloud from cover to cover. Some of them are instructional texts, to be stu...
docs.google.com
May 19, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Reposted by Primary Rocks Edchat
We review our Reading Spine every 2 years, at the announcement of the new children's laureate.
May 19, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Reposted by Primary Rocks Edchat
It really is. It helps having very knowledgeable staff.

The oversight of the books equally has to open children up to books and help them develop their taste and passion.

#PrimaryRocks
May 19, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Reposted by Primary Rocks Edchat
-Mix of genres, protagonist (male, female, animal).
-mix of cultures/settings
-Mix of antiquated language (even though I'd drop this happily, a secondary teacher once convinced me)
-mix of 'themes'
-balance of author age/race/gender
May 19, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Reposted by Primary Rocks Edchat
Love that question. I always try my best to show passion for it. The reality is that some children may enjoy that story and they should be about to.

If a book isn’t vibing with the majority of the class we change it. #PrimaryRocks
May 19, 2025 at 7:34 PM
#PrimaryRocks Q2

Along similar lines...

How do you strike the balance between 'literary classics' and inclusive, contemporary voices in your reading offer?
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May 19, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Reposted by Primary Rocks Edchat
A good reading spine should absolutely serve the community it belongs to. It connects and creates, allowing children to reach a diet of literature that may not have been readily available for them.

#PrimaryRocks
May 19, 2025 at 7:09 PM
#PrimaryRocks Q1

What should a good reading spine do – and what lessons have you learned from mistakes when building yours?
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May 19, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Reposted by Primary Rocks Edchat
I have two on the go - my 'big' read and my quick 'dib into' read that I have read before but can't remember whodunit...
May 19, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Reposted by Primary Rocks Edchat
Always have 2 on the go, one for downstairs and one for bedtime!
May 19, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Reposted by Primary Rocks Edchat
Yay for #PrimaryRocks I am loving reading at the moment and I am currently reading this book '59 Memory Lane' which is a beautiful story and a nice break from my usual Stephen King, Greg Horowitz or Freda McFadden. What are you current favourite adult reads?
May 19, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Reposted by Primary Rocks Edchat
👀 A range of resources about #GenAI for #primary schools on our website.
🔗 cornerstoneprimary.hants.sch.uk/digital-corn...

Including the link for this week's free #AI Primary online staff meetings.

🗓️ 20 May and 22 May
🕛 3.45 pm

✔️ Policy
✔️ Case Studies
✔ Demos

@primaryrocks.bsky.social
May 19, 2025 at 6:20 AM
OK you lovely lot!

That's it for this week!

Have a great week, y'all, and - if you need it - make sure to put your sun cream and cap on!

See you all next week for #PrimaryRocks
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May 12, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Final #PrimaryRocks question of the night...

How do you help your team hold the line on high standards without burning out or becoming rigid?
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May 12, 2025 at 7:51 PM
#PrimaryRocks Q4

Which lesson from a mistake has shaped your practice more than any CPD ever could?
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May 12, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Reposted by Primary Rocks Edchat
I think it's really good to mix up the order of subjects. Flexibility, promotes equality between subjects, makes sure every day isn't always the same (not that it ever is in schools)
May 12, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Reposted by Primary Rocks Edchat
We use Trello to document CPD and in the moment feedback. Teachers reflect on their own CPD on their Trello board and how this has improved/ changed their teaching. All linked to the SDP priorities for the year. #primaryrocks
May 12, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Reposted by Primary Rocks Edchat
Partially in the picture books and texts you select, trips and other aspects
Mainly though it’s in a smile, a shared joke, a moment of human connection. It’s in belonging
#primaryrocks
May 12, 2025 at 7:27 PM