Staff Room Reads
Reviewed by Professionals for Professionals
SAfE’s Teaching and Learning Advisor, Emma Elliott, shares her thoughts on Shareen Wilkinson’s book, Disciplinary Literacy in Primary Schools
Published in summer 2025, Shareen Wilkinson’s latest book focuses on how we can develop children’s disciplinary literacy across the entire primary curriculum. Disciplinary literacy explores the ways in which each subject discipline thinks, speaks, writes and reads. There is a difference between the way we read and write in English compared to the way that scientists read and write. Featuring case studies, practical applications and an understanding of how we can support children with reading, writing and speaking, this book is a useful tool for all primary practitioners.
Beginning with an introduction to disciplinary literacy, the book then delves into how this may look in early years and throughout primary school. It covers the theory behind disciplinary literacy, but it does so in a practical way with key tips and implementation ideas. The discussion on oracy links to the current curriculum focus and the content on writing aligns well with the recent Writing Framework. The writing is easy to digest and is accessible for both teachers and leaders. It is a book that teachers can pick up and immediately include in their planning. There are also AI suggestions provided to aid teachers with developing literacy across the curriculum.
There are chapters on disciplinary literacy in English, history, science and geography, all of which would support subject leaders in developing the use of disciplinary literacy in their subject and enhance pupil knowledge. There are also sections focusing on maths, RE and use of disciplinary literacy across the curriculum. For primary teachers, who are often not subject specialists, this develops their own subject knowledge and is particularly useful when combined with the case studies.
In each chapter, Wilkinson provides example language frames for speaking and thinking in that subject as well as ideas for adult modelling to support pupil understanding. There are also examples of disciplinary reading in each subject, ideas for scaffolding responses and sentence stems to support pupils. The writing sections clearly explain the difference between writing that focuses on the subject and writing that has an English focus, this is helpful as it is easy to confuse the two. There are also examples of text types for each subject alongside disciplinary grammar for pupils to apply. For EYFS, the book delves into the foundational concepts and vocabulary that pupils will explore. There is a key role for stories, alongside role play, accountable talk and modelling.
The book also explores diversity withing the disciplines to ensure that we are not generating stereotypes. This prompts leaders and teachers to consider which scientists are represented in their curriculum and which stories are selected to bring knowledge to life. Disciplinary literacy is also a method for improving reading and writing for all groups, particularly underachieving groups which we know is a concern within Surrey.
Overall, if teachers or schools are looking to enhance oracy, reading and writing in their curriculums then Disciplinary Literacy in Primary Schools is an excellent place to start.
The practical elements mean that it can have an immediate impact in developing teacher subject knowledge and improving pupil understanding. It will also prompt discussion, ensure foundational knowledge is age and stage appropriate and support all pupils on their literacy journey.
