Articles
Bella learning seeks to give you relevant and accessible articles that will help you navigate primary school as a parent and support your child. We get our ideas from talking to parents, kids, forums and by seeing what you google the most! Articles will cover information about the curriculum and learning, what happens in the classroom, how to interact with school and teachers and also more difficult and personal issues such as learning needs, bullying and relationships.
Phonics – Phriend or Pho?
Since 2005, every child in state education has been taught to decode words through the teaching of phonics, starting in Reception and culminating in a (rather obscure) statutory 'screening check' at the end of Year One. In short, children in England are taught the 44...
Swap Homeschool Stress For Smiles
Hi, I'm Annabel and I'm a primary teacher, tutor and parent. Marketing isn't really my thing (I prefer learning) but I'm seeing too many families struggling with home-learning not to tell you the story of Bella Learning Games. Long before the pandemic hit, homework...
Tuition Groups For Lockdown 2021
Tuition Groups for Lockdown 2021 Thanks for your interest in Zoom Tuition. I’m Annabel – the admin of Ask A Teacher and I run Bella Learning. I’ve been a teacher for 14 years and since having my children I have been tutoring, working with parents and writing for...
Challenge 9 – Make A Treasure Hunt
Welcome to the ninth challenge for primary school children. These challenges are open-ended, purposeful tasks, differentiated for different abilities, that your child can enjoy every day. Today’s challenge is about creating a fun hunt for your friends. Children are...
5 ways to prepare for the school return… in uncertain times
Let's face it, September is creeping closer and closer and it doesn't seem to matter if you are a pupil, parent, teacher or government minister, no-one is clear about what this new term will bring. What is vital however, is that our children feel supported and...
5 Lessons Lockdown Has Taught Us About Home Learning
National lockdown has seen children out of school for months on end. What the full impact of this will be on well-being and educational outcomes is yet to be seen - but there are many lessons that schools and parents have learnt about home learning (the hard way)....
How Do Kids Learn Best? Not Through Screens and Worksheets
One of the hardest things about being a teacher during lock-down is that you know you can't do your best for the children in your class. Sure, you can send out 'learning packs' and recommend apps but the truth is this: you wouldn't be caught dead using either of these...
Worried About ‘Homeschooling?’ The Two Huge Advantages You Parents Have Over Us Teachers
As 'school' returns tomorrow, parents are wondering how to best support their kids' education in these strange times. With most parents having to simultaneously work from home as well, it seems an impossible ask. But here's the thing... you parents have two huge...
Challenge 8 – Interview A Relative
Welcome to the eighth challenge of the day for primary school children. These challenges are open-ended, purposeful tasks, differentiated for different abilities, that your child can enjoy every day. Please share your outcomes with the group to...
Challenge 7 – Window/Walk Tally
Welcome to the third challenge of the day for primary school children. These challenges are open-ended, purposeful tasks, differentiated for different abilities, that your child can enjoy every day. Please share your outcomes with the group to receive both teacher and...