Phonics

Talking point - phonics

analytic - break down words into constituent parts e.g str - eet

synthetic - taught individual sounds which they then blend e.g s - t - r - ee - t

This debate discusses the pros and cons of the development of synthetic phonics and whether it is more or less successful at helping children learn to read. The idea of recognizing letters and pairs of letters as sounds rather than analyzing the meaning straight away. Where as some research supports this system suggesting it will help children to read quicker, others believe it leads to robotic reading styles without context, removing interest and joy from reading.

Compulsary sex education and relationships in primary schools from age 7

New 'compulsory' lessons on sex

what's involved video

aims: To reduce teenage pregnancy rates (highest in western Europe) and improve sexual health
Abortion rates and sexually transmitted infection rates rising even through sex ed is taught in high school.

Christopher Winter project - be able to go to secondary school understanding and being able to talk about sex articulately without embarrassment

concerns: break down children's natural reserve? natural inhibitions and modesty - safeguards against casual views of sexual intimacy.

removing restraints previously put on children

research: The better informed children are the later they will engage in sexual activity

age 7 - important vocabulary, difference between themselves and others

age 10/11 - puberty, question box where important questions surrounding reprodction and contraception can be answered.

video example of children's first sex education lesson year 3

example of a secondary sex education lesson year 10

Too young for sex education? video

Netherlands example of where sex and reltionships taught from an early age may have provided 7 times less teenage pregnancy and 11 times less abortions although other factors such as family values and units would have to be taken into account.

Cross Curricular studies/ 6 areas of learning

Sterile debate harms education debate

• Understanding English Communication and languages,

• Scientific and technological understanding,

• Mathematical understanding,

• Understanding the arts and design,

• Human social and environmental understanding,

• Understanding physical health and well being

more emphasis on play in early years, more weight on computing introduced by sir Jim Rose, traditionalist fears, executive summary, promotes challenging subject teaching, progressives, modernists, lack structure