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Welcome to the April edition of Structured Literacy with Joy Allcock —
our monthly briefing for educators and school leaders, sharing research, classroom insights, and practical tools for stronger reading and
writing instruction.

This month’s focus is on oral language, phonological processing, and sound awareness.

In this month's edition

➤ In Conversation with Joy Allcock

➤ Research insight from Snowling & Hulme

➤ Why students write thay

➤ Sound Rhyme /ā/

➤ Building oral language through play

In Conversation with Joy Allcock

A new monthly structured literacy conversation

We are introducing a new opportunity for educators to connect directly with Joy Allcock. A monthly Zoom session where educators can ask questions, reflect, and strengthen practice through structured literacy.


Bring a question, a challenge, or simply join to listen.

Each session includes a short focus topic, followed by open conversation grounded in classroom experience. Some sessions will also include invited guests, bringing additional perspectives from research and practice.
Join the conversation

From the Editor

Last month, Joy Allcock met with Professor Maggie Snowling and Professor Charles Hulme in Christchurch.


Ongoing conversations with researchers help strengthen literacy practice by connecting research with classroom realities.

Research Spotlight

Recommended reading

➤ How far have we advanced this decade in understanding reading disorders?

Maggie Snowling & Charles Hulme


This research reinforces the critical role of oral language and phonological processing as the foundation for reading development.
Read the research

Updated article from Joy Allcock

➤ Why do students write thay?


Teachers often see this pattern in writing, but it can reveal something important about the way a student processes words.
Read the full article

Inside Code-Ed

Building oral language and sound awareness through play

Reading and writing begin with strong oral language and phonological awareness skills.

The Code-Ed Picture and Cue Cards,
used with the Game Book, develop these foundation skills through structured, engaging games. The games are simple, purposeful, and enjoyable, and can be used:

  • in classrooms and small groups

  • at home with children aged 4 years+

  • with older students who need focused language or phonological awareness support

  • with English learners of all ages who
    are just learning to speak English
Explore these games

Sound of the Month

Sound Rhyme /ā/

Spark joy in structured literacy through rhythm and rhyme.


Sound Rhyme /ā/, written by Jill Eggleton, helps students hear and

recognise sound patterns within words.


Through rhythm and repetition, students:

  • hear the /ā/ sound in different words

  • build phonological awareness

  • strengthen oral language and vocabulary

  • connect sounds to print

Explore the resource


Sign in to access:

  • the digital Sound Rhyme /ā/

  • teaching notes

  • printables
Explore Sound Poem /ā/

What’s New at Code-Ed

New resources for schools

Two new professional documents are now available:

➤ Code-Ed Alignment with New Zealand English Curriculum

Mapping instruction and assessment to foundational literacy skills.
Download

➤ Bridging literacy gaps at school entry

Guidance to accelerate early literacy development through strong foundations.
Download

Bring Code-Ed to Your School

If you are looking for practical, evidence-informed support for your team, we would love to talk with you about workshop options and professional learning for your setting.


What topics would you like us to cover in future editions? Reply directly to this email — we read every response. We’d love to hear from you.

In support of every learner,

Joy & The Code-Ed Team
Talk with us




About Joy Allcock and Code-Ed

Joy Allcock, M.Ed. (Hons), is a leading New Zealand literacy educator, author, and researcher whose work has shaped how literacy is taught in classrooms across
New Zealand, the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.


Code-Ed is built on Joy’s evidence-proven speech-to-sound-to-print approach and classroom-tested resources, designed to strengthen teacher knowledge and ensure every learner can access reading and writing.


Our mission is simple:
evidence-proven structured literacy that builds engagement and
accelerates outcomes for all learners.


Follow Code-Ed for practical classroom insights, new resources, and literacy leadership: