Jon Biddle
@jonnybid.bsky.social
Year 5/6 teacher and English lead. Children's books and reading mostly, Blake's 7 sometimes. Currently reading: Finn's Epic Fails by Phil Earle.
I've got lots of amazing picturebooks about the oceans but now looking for a couple more. Any recommendations gratefully received!
November 12, 2025 at 7:17 PM
I've got lots of amazing picturebooks about the oceans but now looking for a couple more. Any recommendations gratefully received!
I've enjoyed all of Kirsty Applebaum's previous novels but this is my favourite so far. Atmospheric and perfectly constructed with cleverly overlapping storylines. As well as having a wonderful plot, it explores bullying and peer pressure. Ideal for Y5/6. @nosycrow.bsky.social
November 9, 2025 at 6:25 PM
I've enjoyed all of Kirsty Applebaum's previous novels but this is my favourite so far. Atmospheric and perfectly constructed with cleverly overlapping storylines. As well as having a wonderful plot, it explores bullying and peer pressure. Ideal for Y5/6. @nosycrow.bsky.social
Just made a few tweaks to my overview for a weekly picturebook assembly which focuses on empathy, inclusion and diversity. Please feel free to use and adapt. The link is on my Padlet, along with lots of other resources: padlet.com/Jon_Biddle/r...
November 8, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Just made a few tweaks to my overview for a weekly picturebook assembly which focuses on empathy, inclusion and diversity. Please feel free to use and adapt. The link is on my Padlet, along with lots of other resources: padlet.com/Jon_Biddle/r...
Reading Floodland by Marcus Sedgwick with my Y5/6 class is always an absolute pleasure. Not a single word is wasted! Six lines in and we're already straight into the action. Such a talented writer and such a sad loss.
November 5, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Reading Floodland by Marcus Sedgwick with my Y5/6 class is always an absolute pleasure. Not a single word is wasted! Six lines in and we're already straight into the action. Such a talented writer and such a sad loss.
If you're looking to build a school collection of graphic novels, @scholasticuk.bsky.social have just launched a great 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: shop.scholastic.co.uk/products/160...
Link here: shop.scholastic.co.uk/products/160...
November 3, 2025 at 6:04 PM
If you're looking to build a school collection of graphic novels, @scholasticuk.bsky.social have just launched a great 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: shop.scholastic.co.uk/products/160...
Link here: shop.scholastic.co.uk/products/160...
The @empathylabuk.bsky.social conference on Thu 27th Nov is going to be superb. The links between reading and empathy are very powerful. Fantastic speakers, including @michaelrosenyes.bsky.social, @teresacremin.bsky.social and @amdassu.bsky.social. More info here: empathylab.uk/raising-gene...
November 2, 2025 at 6:05 PM
The @empathylabuk.bsky.social conference on Thu 27th Nov is going to be superb. The links between reading and empathy are very powerful. Fantastic speakers, including @michaelrosenyes.bsky.social, @teresacremin.bsky.social and @amdassu.bsky.social. More info here: empathylab.uk/raising-gene...
I love a children's author who knows their Greek mythology and Annelise Gray clearly does. The Odyssey of Phoebe Quilliam is a fantastic adventure story, full of action and drama, but with plenty of quieter and more reflective moments too. It's a great read for Year 5/6.
October 30, 2025 at 9:16 PM
I love a children's author who knows their Greek mythology and Annelise Gray clearly does. The Odyssey of Phoebe Quilliam is a fantastic adventure story, full of action and drama, but with plenty of quieter and more reflective moments too. It's a great read for Year 5/6.
The #ReconstructingReading online festival takes place during the week of 17th November. @literacy-trust.bsky.social have put together a line-up of outstanding speakers. Tickets are available for individual sessions or the entire week. More info here: literacytrust.org.uk/training-and...
October 28, 2025 at 10:00 AM
The #ReconstructingReading online festival takes place during the week of 17th November. @literacy-trust.bsky.social have put together a line-up of outstanding speakers. Tickets are available for individual sessions or the entire week. More info here: literacytrust.org.uk/training-and...
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.bsky.social event, a poetry competition and loads of great resources. Join the poetry party! #MichaelRosenDay www.michaelrosen.co.uk/michaelrosen...
October 27, 2025 at 9:29 AM
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.bsky.social event, a poetry competition and loads of great resources. Join the poetry party! #MichaelRosenDay www.michaelrosen.co.uk/michaelrosen...
Important piece from @booktrust.org.uk and @openuni-rfp.bsky.social about the value of book choice for pupils and how to help promote it in the classroom. Do have a read! files.booktrust.org.uk/docs/documen... @teresacremin.bsky.social @richardruddick.bsky.social
October 26, 2025 at 7:21 AM
Important piece from @booktrust.org.uk and @openuni-rfp.bsky.social about the value of book choice for pupils and how to help promote it in the classroom. Do have a read! files.booktrust.org.uk/docs/documen... @teresacremin.bsky.social @richardruddick.bsky.social
Everyone working in primary schools wants to raise standards in reading. For me, the best starting point is Primary Reading Simplified by @suchmo83.bsky.social. It's superb and covers everything, with phonics, fluency, comprehension and RfP all being explored.
October 20, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Everyone working in primary schools wants to raise standards in reading. For me, the best starting point is Primary Reading Simplified by @suchmo83.bsky.social. It's superb and covers everything, with phonics, fluency, comprehension and RfP all being explored.
On Monday 20th October, I'm running an online session with the brilliant @joshuaseigal.bsky.social all about raising the profile of poetry in the primary classroom. It will start at 3:45pm and end at 5:00pm. More information here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/i-dont-lik...
October 15, 2025 at 3:30 PM
On Monday 20th October, I'm running an online session with the brilliant @joshuaseigal.bsky.social all about raising the profile of poetry in the primary classroom. It will start at 3:45pm and end at 5:00pm. More information here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/i-dont-lik...
Really enjoyed this debut poetry collection by Julie Hare @tortoise1hare2.bsky.social. Loved the environmental theme running through the book. My class have already dipped into it several times for Poem of the Day. @redgierob.bsky.social
October 14, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Really enjoyed this debut poetry collection by Julie Hare @tortoise1hare2.bsky.social. Loved the environmental theme running through the book. My class have already dipped into it several times for Poem of the Day. @redgierob.bsky.social
If you're looking for a perfect Halloween class book for Y5/6 that can be read in a week, you won't do better than The Last Day of October by Phil Hickes. Creepy and atmospheric, with a fantastic cliffhanger at the end of each chapter. @oriolvidal.bsky.social @barringtonstoke.bsky.social
October 12, 2025 at 3:21 PM
If you're looking for a perfect Halloween class book for Y5/6 that can be read in a week, you won't do better than The Last Day of October by Phil Hickes. Creepy and atmospheric, with a fantastic cliffhanger at the end of each chapter. @oriolvidal.bsky.social @barringtonstoke.bsky.social
Finished reading Running my Own Race by @eyesab2.bsky.social with my Y5/6 class last week. They absolutely loved it, and it gave us lots of chances to talk about issues relevant to their own lives. Highly recommended.
October 12, 2025 at 5:55 AM
Finished reading Running my Own Race by @eyesab2.bsky.social with my Y5/6 class last week. They absolutely loved it, and it gave us lots of chances to talk about issues relevant to their own lives. Highly recommended.
Happy Bookshop Day! There are over 200 independent children's bookshops on my map so do pay your local one a visit. It's regularly updated but please let me know of any more I could add. padlet.com/Jon_Biddle/r...
October 11, 2025 at 8:41 AM
Happy Bookshop Day! There are over 200 independent children's bookshops on my map so do pay your local one a visit. It's regularly updated but please let me know of any more I could add. padlet.com/Jon_Biddle/r...
Every year our pupils deliver #PoetryPost to the local community and every year they're absolutely thrilled with the positive response it receives. There's more information about how it works on the @openuni-rfp.bsky.social site. ourfp.org/eop/poetry-p...
October 3, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Every year our pupils deliver #PoetryPost to the local community and every year they're absolutely thrilled with the positive response it receives. There's more information about how it works on the @openuni-rfp.bsky.social site. ourfp.org/eop/poetry-p...
My class loved exploring similarities and differences between A Cat Called Waverley by Debi Gliori and War Dog by Tom Palmer and Carolina Rabei. We talked about loyalty, courage, being away from who you love, and the relationship between humans and animals. It was joyous.
September 30, 2025 at 7:47 PM
My class loved exploring similarities and differences between A Cat Called Waverley by Debi Gliori and War Dog by Tom Palmer and Carolina Rabei. We talked about loyalty, courage, being away from who you love, and the relationship between humans and animals. It was joyous.
Katya Balen is a children's author whose books get automatic promotion to the top of my reading pile. Letters from the Upside is another enormous success with richly-drawn and believable characters, including Con, a child that many pupils will relate to. Essential for UKS2.
September 28, 2025 at 9:11 AM
Katya Balen is a children's author whose books get automatic promotion to the top of my reading pile. Letters from the Upside is another enormous success with richly-drawn and believable characters, including Con, a child that many pupils will relate to. Essential for UKS2.
Very much looking forward to the @empathylabuk.bsky.social conference in November. It's a superb line-up of speakers including @michaelrosenyes.bsky.social, @teresacremin.bsky.social and authors @amdassu.bsky.social and @lawrencepatrice.bsky.social. An important day! empathylab.uk/raising-gene...
September 24, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Very much looking forward to the @empathylabuk.bsky.social conference in November. It's a superb line-up of speakers including @michaelrosenyes.bsky.social, @teresacremin.bsky.social and authors @amdassu.bsky.social and @lawrencepatrice.bsky.social. An important day! empathylab.uk/raising-gene...
The Kofi series by Jeffrey Boakye goes from strength to strength. Book three, Kofi and the Brand New Vibe, is hilarious and would be a perfect read for Year 5/6. The author's deep passion for music comes through on every page. It's a book that fizzes with energy.
September 21, 2025 at 4:20 PM
The Kofi series by Jeffrey Boakye goes from strength to strength. Book three, Kofi and the Brand New Vibe, is hilarious and would be a perfect read for Year 5/6. The author's deep passion for music comes through on every page. It's a book that fizzes with energy.
On Monday 20th October, I'm running an online session with the brilliant @joshuaseigal.bsky.social all about raising the profile of poetry in the primary classroom. It will start at 3:45pm and end at 5:00pm. More information here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/i-dont-lik...
September 20, 2025 at 2:01 PM
On Monday 20th October, I'm running an online session with the brilliant @joshuaseigal.bsky.social all about raising the profile of poetry in the primary classroom. It will start at 3:45pm and end at 5:00pm. More information here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/i-dont-lik...
There are hundreds of examples of practice on the @openuni-rfp.bsky.social site. I've just uploaded a couple more.
Secondary school pupils supporting the class recommendations shelf: ourfp.org/eop/recommen...
Talking about how we choose books: ourfp.org/eop/choices-...
Secondary school pupils supporting the class recommendations shelf: ourfp.org/eop/recommen...
Talking about how we choose books: ourfp.org/eop/choices-...
September 18, 2025 at 7:31 PM
There are hundreds of examples of practice on the @openuni-rfp.bsky.social site. I've just uploaded a couple more.
Secondary school pupils supporting the class recommendations shelf: ourfp.org/eop/recommen...
Talking about how we choose books: ourfp.org/eop/choices-...
Secondary school pupils supporting the class recommendations shelf: ourfp.org/eop/recommen...
Talking about how we choose books: ourfp.org/eop/choices-...
On Monday 20th October, I'm running an online session with the brilliant @joshuaseigal.bsky.social all about raising the profile of poetry in the primary classroom. It will start at 3:45pm and end at 5:00pm. More information here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/i-dont-lik...
September 11, 2025 at 5:12 PM
On Monday 20th October, I'm running an online session with the brilliant @joshuaseigal.bsky.social all about raising the profile of poetry in the primary classroom. It will start at 3:45pm and end at 5:00pm. More information here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/i-dont-lik...
If it's helpful to schools, below is the link to a year's worth of picturebook assembly suggestions that have a focus on empathy and inclusion. They're all books I've used and loved as a teacher. padlet.com/Jon_Biddle/r...
September 7, 2025 at 10:46 AM
If it's helpful to schools, below is the link to a year's worth of picturebook assembly suggestions that have a focus on empathy and inclusion. They're all books I've used and loved as a teacher. padlet.com/Jon_Biddle/r...