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Reading

The Reading Habit
One of the best ways to encourage a child to read for pleasure is for them to see the adults in their life reading. If a child witnesses the adults in their life reading, they are more likely to formulate a reading habit themselves. But with busy lives, jobs, homes, and family to look after, as well as the everyday occurrences that are part and parcel of daily life, reading for pleasure is not always top of the list for …
Education

Dragons’ Den Interview with Stephen Keane
Did you see it? The Fact Factory’s first TV appearance on none other than last night’s episode of BBC1’s Dragons’ Den! To get onto Dragons’ Den is an achievement in itself and, although Stephen didn’t get the investment, lots of exciting things are happening here at News Mag Media/Audio Mag Media. The Fact Factory really is going from strength to strength! But back to Stephen’s TV appearance. It’s not every day you get to take part in a major TV …
Education

In Celebration of Magazines
As you can see from our website, here at News Mag Media, our business is magazines. From our flagship magazine – The Primary Planet – to the latest member of our magazine family – The Fact Factory – we really do believe that magazines are a key ingredient in a child’s reading experience and in fact in everyone’s reading experience.  The great thing about magazines is that often the reading content is so accessible and manageable. Magazines also tend to be very up-to-date, with …
Education

Tips to Make Reading Inclusive and Accessible to All Children
Whether you are a teacher in a school, a librarian, a parent, or somebody who works with children, you will be aware of the amazing power reading has and the benefits it can bring to all children.  However, for some children reading can be that little bit more difficult for a variety of reasons, ranging from not having easy access to reading material to challenges due to print disabilities or struggling to find reading material that engages and excites them. …
Education

World Book Day Research Finds That Children Are Being ‘Put Off’ Reading for Pleasure
Earlier this month it was World Book Day, a day that celebrates, promotes, and encourages reading for pleasure. However, research carried out by World Book Day (WBD) has discovered that, despite events such as WBD and the wide variety of reading choices that are available, rather than feeling encouraged, instead children are actually being put off reading for pleasure. There are various reasons for this. More than a third of children said that they were not able to choose their …
Education

World Book Day 2024
World Book Day means different things to different people. For some it’s the excitement of dressing up as their favourite character. For others (usually parents and caregivers) it’s the stress of finding that perfect World Book Day costume. Then there are the children who enthusiastically bound into their local bookshop with their free book voucher, delighted to be able to choose a book that’s brand new and theirs. For some, it’s just another day to enjoy the simple pleasure of reading.  …
Classroom Activities

The October MEGA QUIZ (Audio)
This month’s MEGA QUIZ will test your pupil’s general knowledge like no other. They can choose to read the quiz in this month’s resource pack, or listen to it online (from either here or their own website, www.theprimaryplanet.ie. Either way, be sure to get them to enter their answers online to be in with a chance of winning a TPP hoodie. Also, we welcome all your requests and shout-outs, as this quiz is all about a bit of craic! Click …
Classroom Activities

Rugby World Cup Special: Memorable Moments
No one needs reminding that the Rugby World Cup in underway. And with ireland motoring (and hopefully will continue to do so), here are some cloze tests (fill in the blanks) on rugby’s most memorable Word Cup moments. We hope your pupils enjoy them 🙂 ___________________________ Click here to download the worksheets. _____________________________ The complete articles are below (for checking the answers) 🏉👍 Rugby World Cup five most memorable moments 1995: Lomu rips through England Jonah Lomu had collected just …
Classroom Activities

The Sept MEGA Audio Answers
If you’ve come here to look for answers, well, guess what — you’re in the right place! Just click on the link below, sit back and listen to all the correct answers come rolling in. When you’re done that, be sure to stay tuned as we announce our monthly winner at the end. Click here to play quiz from teacher’s website (this one) Click here to send in a pupil shout-out or request, to be recorded on the answer podcast …
Classroom Activities

September Mega Quiz (Audio)
This new monthly quiz will test your pupil’s general knowledge like no other. They can choose to read the quiz in this month’s resource pack, or listen to it online (from either here or their own website, www.theprimaryplanet.ie. Either way, be sure to get them to enter their answers online to be in with a chance of winning a TPP hoodie. Also, we welcome all your requests and shout-outs, as this quiz is all about a bit of craic! Click …
Classroom Activities

A Scrumdiddlyumptious Roald Dahl Quiz! 
At News Mag Media, we like to look after our readers, teachers and schools! So, every now and then, we happily create extra resources that we think you might find useful –  perhaps as morning time activities (while you get set up for the day) or as engaging worksheets for early finishers. Tomorrow, as you may know, is Roald Dahl Day (and his birthday!). If he were alive he would be 107! So, as he IS one of the best-loved …
Education

The Importance of Reading for Pleasure
Reading for Pleasure is something we choose to do because we want to. A hobby that’s easy to access, free (if readers use their local library), and has huge benefits that can last a lifetime, no matter what your age. However, the number of people reading for pleasure has diminished over the years. With regards to children, the UK’s National Literacy Trust, Annual Literacy Survey in 2022 showed that only 47.8% of 8-18-year-olds enjoyed reading – just under half! At …