Dianne Murphy 📚🇳🇿🇮🇪

Following on from our @researchEDHome presentation (youtu.be/FpDc9Nevs6Y) The Bridge Over the Reading Gap, we have written a series of blog posts to answer the questions we didn’t have time to answer #researchED #ThinkingReading 👇🏻

If you ever wondered what you would have done in 1938 Berlin, you're doing it now. For many Jews, it's an entirely reasonable decision to leave the United Kingdom as synagogues are attacked, Jews assaulted, and even Jewish ambulances are destroyed.

Umberto Eco, who owned 50,000 books, had this to say about home libraries: "It is foolish to think that you have to read all the books you buy, as it is foolish to criticize those who buy more books than they will ever be able to read. It would be like saying that you should use all the cutlery or glasses or screwdrivers or drill bits you bought before buying new ones. There are things in life that we need to always have plenty of supplies, even if we will only use a small portion. If, for example, we consider books as medicine, we understand that it is good to have many at home rather than a few: when you want to feel better, then you go to the 'medicine closet' and choose a book. Not a random one, but the right book for that moment. That's why you should always have a nutrition choice! Those who buy only one book, read only that one and then get rid of it. They simply apply the consumer mentality to books, that is, they consider them a consumer product, a good. Those who love books know that a book is anything but a commodity."

This is the goal. Feeling sorry for children makes it harder to achieve, as it sends all the wrong messages to the student. wp.me/p4hKgx-Xc Read more in our blog ‘Sympathy is no substitute for effective teaching’ wp.me/p4hKgx-Xc (2 min read).

We work with schools to eradicate adolescent illiteracy so that no student leaves school unable to read well, regardless of their background. If you would like to see these results for your most vulnerable students you can book a free, no obligation, consultation via this link: thinkingreading.com/contact/

The Thinking Reading programme teaches more in less time. This means extremely rapid progress is possible. Students can be taught so that they catch up quickly and completely. If you are ready to see this rate of progress for your weakest 10% of readers - contact us for a free, no obligation, consultation.

Bach in the rain. For anyone who needs something beautiful right now.

Sister Rosetta Tharpe 🎸guitar solos #rocknroll

Born on this day, March 20, Sister Rosetta Tharpe (1915-1973), legendary US singer, songwriter, guitarist, and recording artist who played rock'n'roll long before anyone else, a pioneer in music #WomensArt 🎸 #WomensHistoryMonth

@drheidibc And it’s a beautiful day in Dublin’s fair city ☀️

Good morning from Dublin 💚☘️🇮🇪

Enthusiasm and a 'love of books' are important, but they don’t solve reading problems. Moreover, the difficulty of teaching reading has been underestimated and the misconception that reading ‘comes naturally’ 'something will click' has had devastating consequences for millions of people. Reading is an invented technology, and teaching it can be complex.

Two guitar gods soloing on the classic "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" together. Its rare we get to see footage of George playing lead on this song, especially with Clapton. The backing band is also incredible, Ringo Starr, Elton John, Jeff Lyne, Phil Collins & more.

Blown away, stormy hikes midst the stoic bog cotton .. Co. Kerry, Ireland. #ireland #cokerry #bogcotton ⬇️ elainefarrellphotography.com

Happy Saint Patrick’s day, enjoy the festivities wherever you are in the world. ☘️ This is the Water Bailiff’s cottage at Maam Cross, Co. Galway, Ireland. Sound on. #stpatricksday #ireland

Are you stumped by your students’ reading problems? We've written this to help teachers :  amazon.co.uk/Thinking-Readi…

The Russians are not preparing for peace. We must ensure complete protection – and that is exactly what we are doing. Meanwhile, we are not postponing negotiations; no one is disappointed in diplomacy. This is not a matter of emotions, as some might say. It is a matter of what partners are ready for. Russia operates in a very simple way: if they are afraid, they’re willing to toe the line. If pressure on Russia is weakened, Russia thinks it has struck gold and can continue the war. That is why pressure on the aggressor is the key to peace, real diplomacy, and real agreements. Today, I gave new instructions to Rustem Umerov. He is in constant communication with the American side, 24/7. This week we will also work with our partners in Europe so that Ukraine has greater capabilities to defend itself, and our partners are more willing to support us. Thank you to everyone who is helping.

Congratulations to everyone involved in 'Mr. Nobody Against Putin' on winning the Oscar for Best Documentary. If you haven’t seen it yet, you should. It’s an extraordinarily insightful film that shows exactly how dictatorships sink their claws into institutions and use them to shape everyday life under their rule. It exposes the true depth and reach of Putin’s propaganda in Russian society. Countering propaganda is one of the most important parts of our work, and few films have done more in this fight than 'Mr. Nobody Against Putin.' Putin’s propaganda is a weapon, perhaps even more dangerous than nuclear arms. It is the fuel driving the war against Ukraine. This is a phenomenal achievement by Pavel Talankin, David Borenstein, and everyone else involved. I’m proud that one of my foundations supported the film's impact campaign and its awards and festival promotion, helping it reach the widest possible audience. Mr. Nobody Against Putin is one of the most important anti-war statements of our time. The Oscar and the BAFTA were both richly deserved.

Enthusiasm and a 'love of books' are important, but they don’t solve reading problems. Moreover, the difficulty of teaching reading has been underestimated and the misconception that reading ‘comes naturally’ 'something will click' has had devastating consequences for millions of people. Learning to talk comes naturally, but reading is an invented technology, and teaching it can be complex. Our mission is to ensure that all pupils leave secondary school reading well.

We are troubled by complacency about the extent of the reading problem.  Read more in our blog ‘No Excuses Left’ wp.me/p4hKgx-nt (9 min read).

Reading for pleasure, enthusiasm & a love of books are all are important, but they don't solve reading problems. We work with schools to eradicate adolescent illiteracy so that no student leaves school unable to read well.  Contact us to help your most vulnerable students: thinkingreading.com/contact/

Successful reading interventions have two main components.  Read more in our blog ‘12 Qualities of an Effective Reading Teacher’ wp.me/p4hKgx-Fu (5 min read).