The resources for encouraging literacy have never been more abundant. However, the sheer number can feel overwhelming and it’s difficult to know where to start.
Digital tools and innovative online platforms have been set up to support the work that teachers do in the classroom. Many commercial organisations are harnessing the latest technology to support learners and make the curriculum more accessible.
In addition, there are many great arts organisations and charities offering literacy-based outreach projects and nationwide initiatives, often fronted by high-profile figures.
How do I find the best resources in one place?
The trouble is that all these literacy projects, programmes and services are scattered across hundreds of different websites and take time to find – time that most teachers simply do not have.
Literacy Hive was created to connect teachers to the wider world of books and reading and to help them find high-quality resources to support all aspects of the literacy curriculum.
Literacy Hive does not create any resources of its own; it is a signposting service designed to help teachers navigate the existing literacy resource landscape.
Our site provides teachers with a one-stop site to find literacy resources that cover all aspects of literacy provision, quickly and easily. That includes free resources for poetry and literature or nonfiction.
Literacy Hive is much more than a list of useful websites.
When teachers go searching the Internet, they aren’t looking for generic literacy resources, they are looking for help to tackle a particular issue: how to engage their reluctant readers or support young people’s writing, for example.
You might be looking to build a more inclusive and representative library collection or need book recommendations to promote a child’s wellbeing. Whether you’re looking for the best books for primary students, diverse classroom books or support for struggling readers, we’ve got you covered.
Find what you need with ease.
To help teachers find what they are looking for, the resources on Literacy Hive are categorised into headings that cover different areas of the literacy curriculum or address a particular literacy concern – help with planning a poetry module, for example, or resources to support a new EAL student.
Teachers can choose from a range of headings grouped into four main categories – Supporting Individual Pupils, Whole School Reading, Inspiring Writers and Books and Authors. Within the Whole School Reading category, for example, there are headings that cover such categories as:
- Reading for Pleasure
- Speaking and Listening Skills
- Phonics
- Comprehension
- Non-fiction
- News Literacy
- Reading CPD
Selecting a heading pulls up a selection of different resources from a variety of different providers. Teachers can then use filters to refine their search by Key Stage, Cost or Resource Type – choosing from a range of support options from lesson plans and book recommendation sites to author events and CPD courses.
Plan your literacy curriculum with our Literacy Year calendar
Take advantage of all that the wider world of books and reading has to offer with our online Literacy Year Calendar. Packed with celebration days, book awards, festivals and competitions, it’s free to access and each calendar entry comes with links to further supporting resources.
Take a look at the nominees and winners of book awards
Although the Blue Peter and Costa Awards have sadly ended, we still have numerous national and regional children’s book awards. These awards cover a wide range of genres from poetry to graphic novels and non-fiction. Their shortlists are a great source of book recommendation to keep school libraries fresh and up-to-date.
Many of the awards also run shadowing schemes to engage young readers with the latest titles and help schools develop a culture of reading for pleasure.
Book awards can also shine a light on previously under-represented groups. Awards such as The Diverse Book Awards, the Jhalak Children’s and YA Prize and the new Inclusive Books for Children Awards all recognise authors whose work addresses diversity in meaningful ways and celebrate the best inclusive books for young people.
Connecting with children’s authors.
A big advantage of the modern literacy resource landscape is that authors have never been more accessible. Take advantage of one of the many literature festivals to give your pupils the opportunity to hear an author talk about their work. There are festivals and online events throughout the year to inspire young readers.
How was Literacy Hive established?
Literacy Hive was founded by Sian Hardy who has over 35 years’ experience of working in the children’s book world, in a variety of roles. She began her career in editorial and then moved to be the buyer for a national children’s book club after doing an MA in Children’s Literature.
More recently, her work has focused on schools, in particular working on delivering the schools programmes for several children’s literature festivals. She has also supported an e- book platform dedicated to the school market.
Her extensive experience in the children’s book world, combined with a desire to help teachers create the readers of tomorrow, led her to set up Literacy Hive, a one-stop site for literacy support.
If you need help navigating the literary landscape, get started with our wide range of resources today.
