Norfolk Home Learning
From small beginnings to great success
Help with English Language and Literature
I’m a globally-published author of literacy materials for children and teens so worried parents often ask me to give private lessons to boost their children’s reading, writing, spelling or grammar.
Helping with dyslexia, real or supposed, is one of the challenges I sometimes face. Whatever the problem, youngsters like being taught by an author and often make a good response!
Key Stage One
My picture book Fisherman Fred is the sort of thing that gets young children reading - and drawing and writing! After much experiment, Fred has found the best words for his sign - a lesson in careful use of language!
Key Stage 2
To keep pupils inspired though the junior years, there's my gruesome novella The Gibleteers - see the cover design! - which I've often read as guest author in schools. I've also read it in pupils' homes in north Norfolk and Norwich - and in my own home near North Walsham, where I welcome all ages and stages for personal help with literature and literacy.
Key Stages 3 and 4
I've also produced a range of lively materials for older pupils, much of it (as the picture shows) with boy appeal. (This is my nativity play The Travellers' Delight being acted in Australia.)
Boys and girls alike enjoy my oral and activity-based approach, tailored to their individual needs. This is true whether I'm coaching high-flyers or helping youngsters who've dropped behind.
Many pupils struggle to connect with First World War poets, Shakespeare and all the other set authors. I make it my business to bring literature alive for GCSE and A level students, just as I do for younger ones.
Do get in touch!
My postbag is currently swelling as seasonal stresses build up.
I always reply but prioritise families in East Anglia.
Here's a tip to help youngsters with spelling:
Don't present them with 'bogey' pairs like 'there' and 'their.' That's ok for testing, not teaching.
Instead, look at pairs like 'here' and 'there' or families of words like ear, hear and heard.
Thanks to Fisherman Fred artist Tony Goffe and Gibleteers artist Ray Mutimer for letting me use their work on this page.