What is most disturbing about current conversations around education is the increasing adherence to absolutism and the narrowing view of what constitutes effective pedagogy.

We keep blaming teachers for declining literacy. But have we stopped to consider how dramatically children's lives have changed? We're raising a generation surrounded by 15-second videos, endless scrolling, and constant notifications. Many children spend more time swiping through content than sitting down with a book. Then we expect them to sit for 30 or 60 minutes, read complex passages, make inferences, and demonstrate deep comprehension on standardized tests. Scrolling is a sprint. Reading is a marathon. Children are becoming accustomed to information arriving in short bursts. They skim, swipe, and move on to the next thing. And when something doesn't immediately capture their attention, another video or notification is waiting. But reading requires something different. It takes patience, concentration, imagination, and the ability to stay engaged even when something is challenging. Those abilities develop through practice and experience. So if children are spending less time reading outside of school, why are we surprised when they struggle to sustain their attention while reading? And why is the teacher so often the one held responsible? Consider how many children grow up hearing bedtime stories, watching adults read, visiting libraries, or having conversations about books. Now consider how many spend those same hours in front of screens. Those experiences make a difference long before a child ever takes a reading assessment. Schools can teach children how to read, but they cannot control how children spend the other hours of their lives. And increasingly, we're asking teachers to compensate for cultural changes they had no part in creating. We also need to ask ourselves what we're doing inside schools. When we replace opportunities to read, explore, discuss, and enjoy books with more worksheets, test preparation, and assessments, are we actually helping children become better readers? A child who discovers the joy of reading is far more likely to pick up another book than one who associates reading primarily with answering questions on a test. Literacy develops through experiences, relationships, conversations, curiosity, and practice. It begins long before a standardized test and extends far beyond the classroom.

Mother and toddler amble through Mornington's Empire Mall's outdoor playground. Mother informs wee child- 'We can't stop, I've got chicken to get in the fridge. Toddler pauses a moment before responding. 'Brrrwwwhhh! And a throwdown. Chicken-smicken...

The most effective schools I know select carefully what works then refine develop and embed in their culture… and they do not constantly change onto the next shiny new things. Too much change is the death of school improvement.

Quentin Blake…

A wise doctor once wrote -And what he wrote was far more legible than the griffonage of his colleagues.

Overheard: What did you get trick or treating? -A tube of toothpaste!

Just received my copy of Shaun Tan's latest book, Hometown. A book designed to make the reader think. A modern masterpiece.

A glowing review of renowned Australian author illustrator Shaun Tan's latest book, Hometown. An imaginative portrayal of a child's imaginary world. A world where she is the only human, until... My copy arrives today. Can't wait! share.google/JvRuPwAqFDHAzbY…

It must be difficult for Americans currently experiencing cost of living pressures and all your president can offer is a running commentary on men's bodies. Deeply disturbing...

Poetry Friday and I present a poem about an English tea lady named, Shirley Birley -a poem employing rhyme and wordplay I think kids would appreciate. alanjwrightpoetrypizzazz.blo… #poetryfriday #rhyme #wordplay

A child alights a car and calls out to me-‘Alan, where? where? what?’ Writing craft strategies bubbling up in the morning. How good is that? Great start to my day as I enter a school.

Fill your house with stacks of books, in all the crannies and all the nooks.' Dr Seuss

In every area of human proficiency, practice is a central factor. Reading and writing are no different. Practice matters. Authentic practtice matters even more...

Writers are collectors. Lift the lid on the contents of your writer's notebooks so young writers can learn from a more experienced writer/collector/ observer. #writersnotebook

Artifacts and ephemera come with stories attached. Memories of time and place and people are connected to them. The possibilities are endless. Backstories and projected stories emerge. This is all part of becoming a keen observant writer and the things that are part of it.

I life an active life Each day I Race against the clock Run for cover Jog my memory Toss away my worries Move obstacles Reach for the stars Spin my yarns Remove doubts Strike a happy mood Shuffle paper And now I've jumped to a conclusion. Alan j Wright #morningpoem

It baffles me why so many people search for the meaning of life in the supermarket. They walk in, stop and ask, Now, why am I here?'