Contact
Telephone
01 853 5172
Location
St Mary's, Room 216
Rannóg
Department of Arts, Literacy & Early Childhood
Role
Lecturer in Education (Literacy)
Course Leader, MES Early Childhood Education
Biography
Clara Maria Fiorentini has been lecturing in literacy and early childhood education since 2017. Prior to this, Clara taught for eleven years in an urban, DEIS primary school in Co. Dublin, Ireland. Clara provides CPD for primary teachers and early childhood professionals in the areas of literacy, children's literature, play based learning and school transitions. Clara completed her PhD research on early literacy development and transitions to formal literacy learning at Trinity College Dublin under the supervision of Dr Ann Devitt and Prof. Nóirín Hayes.
Qualifications
PhD, Trinity College Dublin (TCD)
M.A. in Children’s Literature (DCU)
B.Ed. Primary Teaching (DCU)
Teaching
B.Sc. ECE3: EC307 – Early Literacies — Module leader & lecturer
PME1: PM9112 – Language 1: English Methods & Competency — Module leader & lecturer
PME1: PM9113 – Language 2: English Methods & Competency — Module leader & lecturer
BOid1: BO8107 – Language, Literacy & Literature — Module leader & lecturer
BEd1: ED8107 – Language, Literacy & Literature — Module leader & lecturer
BEd4: ED8407 – Specialism: Creating a culture of Reading in the Primary Classroom — Module leader & lecturer
ORCiD
Publications and other outputs
Ongoing research projects
CoSTaR Project: Communities of Student Teachers as Readers. A research project in collaboration with Dr Geraldine Magennis, St Mary’s University, Belfast & Dr Sharon Pratt, Indiana University Northwest, USA.
Aistear & Your Local Library: A research project in collaboration with DLRLibraries and Creative Ireland.
Tús Maith: North-West Preschool to Primary Transitions Project. A pilot project in collaboration with Donegal, Sligo, Mayo & Carrickonshannon Education Centres, Dr Lisha O’Sullivan, MIC, Fiona Giblin, DCU & Maria Furlong, UU.
Thesis
Fiorentini, C.M. (2025). Locating Preschool Literacy Practices: A Bioecological Perspective on Irish Preschool Literacy Practices. Doctoral Thesis. Trinity College Dublin. https://www.tara.tcd.ie/tara8/server/api/core/bitstreams/00ddc8b6-bb14-4eea-8055-b26d084118b4/content
Books
Fiorentini, C., & O’Sullivan, J. (2026, in press). Read Aloud with INTENT: A Framework for Purposeful and Powerful Read-Alouds. Just Rewards Publications.
Research Reports
Fiorentini, C.M. (2023). Aistear & Your Local Library: Project Report. DLR Libraries.
Conference Proceedings
Fiorentini, C. (2024). Aistear & Your Local Library. In Celebrating Language and Literacies: Unpacking Practice and Exploring Possibilities. Proceedings from the Literacy Association of Ireland’s 47th Annual International Conference. (p.23-30). https://www.literacyireland.com/_files/ugd/c01f3f_6b0a2e0606ff4ad3bfcf65892d944ce8.pdf
Fiorentini, C. & Magennis-Clarke, G. (2024). CoSTaR: Communities of Student Teachers as Readers. In Celebrating Language and Literacies: Unpacking Practice and Exploring Possibilities. Proceedings from the Literacy Association of Ireland’s 47th Annual International Conference. (p.67-76). https://www.literacyireland.com/_files/ugd/c01f3f_6b0a2e0606ff4ad3bfcf65892d944ce8.pdf
Conference Contributions
Fiorentini, C.M. (2026, March 21). From Tasks to Texts: Teaching Writing with Purpose. [Paper Presentation]. Right to Read Conference, Dublin. March 20 - 21.
Fiorentini, C.M. (2026, March 21). What do we learn in college? Aligning Initial Teacher Education with Evidence-Based Literacy Instruction. [Initial Teacher Education Panel]. Right to Read Conference, Dublin. March 20 - 21.
Fiorentini, C.M. (2025, December 5). Locating Preschool Literacy Practices. [Paper Presentation]. Literacy Research Association Conference, Las Vegas, USA. December 3 - 6.
Fiorentini, C.M., Magennis-Clarke, G., & Pratt, Sharon. (2025, December 5). CoSTaR: A Cross Atlantic Venture. [Paper Presentation]. Literacy Research Association Conference, Las Vegas, USA. December 3 - 6.
Fiorentini, C.M. (2025, November 7). Locating Preschool Literacy Practices. [Paper Presentation]. Literacy Association of Ireland’s 49th International Conference. Dublin City University, Dublin.
Fiorentini, C.M. (2025, November 6). Literacy through the decades: Progress and Possibilities. [Panel Event Host]. Literacy Association of Ireland’s 49th International Conference. Dublin City University, Dublin.
Fiorentini, C.M. (2025, May 17). Teachers Texts and Time: Creating the Conditions for Effective Comprehension Instruction. [KEYNOTE Presentation]. Romanian Literacy Association Annual Conference, Bucharest, May 16 - 18.
Fiorentini, C.M & Fiorentini, N. (2025, May 16). Literacy Learnings: Insights from Irish Literacy Policy & Practice. [Masterclass Workshop & Panel Event]. Educational Stakeholders Event as part of the Romanian Literacy Association Annual Conference, Bucharest, Department of Education, May 16 - 18.
Fiorentini, C.M., Magennis-Clarke, G., & Pratt, Sharon. (2024, December). CoSTaR: A Cross Atlantic Venture. [Paper Presentation]. Literacy Research Association Conference, Atlanta, USA. December 4 - 7.
Fiorentini, C.M. (2024, November 8). Reading for Pleasure: Community, Culture, & Connection. [Fireside Chat Host]. Literacy Association of Ireland’s 47th International Conference. Marino Institute of Education, Dublin.
Fiorentini, C.M. (2023, November 10-11). Aistear & Your Local Library. [Paper presentation]. Literacy Association of Ireland’s 47th International Conference. Marino Institute of Education, Dublin.
Fiorentini, C.M & Magennis-Clarke, G. (2023, November 10-11). [Paper presentation] CoSTaR: Communities of Student Teachers as Readers. Literacy Association of Ireland’s 47th International Conference. Marino Institute of Education, Dublin.
O’Sullivan, J., Fiorentini, C.M., Bowe, T., & O’Toole, D. (2023, November 10-11). [Symposium] Reading Achievement in Ireland: What is going well and what needs attention. Literacy Association of Ireland’s 47th International Conference. Marino Institute of Education, Dublin.
Bowe, T., Fiorentini, C., O'Sullivan, J., & O'Toole, D. (2023, November 10-11). Reading Achievement in Ireland: What's going well and what still needs attention. [Paper presentation]. Literacy Association of Ireland Conference, Marino Institute of Education, Ireland.
Fiorentini, C.M. (2023, May 11-12). CoSTaR: Communities of Student Teachers as Readers. [Paper presentation]. TEAN: Teacher Education Advancement Network. Conference, Manchester, United Kingdon.
Fiorentini, C.M. (2022, July 4-6). Priorities in Preschool Literacy Practice: What first, and why? [Paper presentation]. FELA: 22nd European Conference on Literacy. Dublin.
Fiorentini, C.M. (2022, May 21). Unpacking Priorities for Preschool Literacy Practice. [Paper presentation]. 13th Postgraduate Research Conference. School of Education, Trinity College Dublin.
Fiorentini, C.M. (2021, November 12-13). Ducks, Bears and Caterpillars - oh my! Thwarting a reliance on Tired Texts. [Paper presentation]. Literacy Association of Ireland’s 45th International Conference. Marino Institute of Education, Dublin.
Educational Resources
Fiorentini, C.M. (2026). Recommended Texts for Primary Readers: Reading Guides for Primary Readers. The Literacy Association of Ireland. https://www.literacyireland.com/recommendedbooksprimary
Fiorentini, C.M. (2024). Story Sacks. Aistear & Your Local Library. https://libraries.dlrcoco.ie/sites/dlrlibrary/files/2024-10/Aistear%20Story%20Sack%20List%20March%202024%20%281%29.pdf
Fiorentini, C.M. (2024). Choosing & Using Texts. Aistear & Your Local Library. https://youtu.be/NN0Ia5lh-rI?list=PLCFdEA0Kr5po5veqWIs8dPZ5zb2b79HJR
Fiorentini, C.M. (2024). Choosing & Using Texts. Aistear & Your Local Library. https://youtu.be/2m-QeGg3QeA?list=PLCFdEA0Kr5po5veqWIs8dPZ5zb2b79HJR
Fiorentini, C.M. (2023). Picturebooks and the Primary Language Curriculum. Online Support Materials for Teachers. NCCA. Dublin.
Mehigan, G., Fiorentini, C.M., O’Sullivan, J. & Cura, M. (2019). Sounds Like Phonics. A multisensory approach to phonics instruction. CJ Fallon, Dublin.
Podcasts
Costigan, J. & O'Connor, H. (2024 - November 20). Episode 64, Season 2: Informational Text with Clara Fiorentini. [Audio Podcast Episode]. That'll Teach You. https://open.spotify.com/episode/0jj6Y2WqWHGkGVI06snP18
Winn, Kate. (2024 - February 12). Season 2, Episode 7: Novels in the Elementary Class: Best Practices with Clara Maria Fiorentini. [Audio Podcast Episode]. Reading Road Trip: IDA Ontario. https://reading-roadtrip.castos.com/episodes/s2-e7-novels-in-the-elementary-class-best-practices-with-clara-maria-fiorentini
Delaney, S. (2019 - October 19). Programme 373: Clara Fiorentini on Literary and Social Media. (No. 373). [Audio Podcast Episode]. Inside Education. https://insideeducation.podbean.com/e/programme-373-clara-fiorentini-on-literacy-and-social-media-2-10-19/
Media
Newstalk: The Hard Shoulder: The Modern-day classroom needs to be active and playful. August, 25, 2022.
Newstalk: Newstalk Breakfast: The Primary School Curriculum is set for a shake up. March 23, 2023.
Webinar
Fiorentini, C.M. & O'Toole, D. (2026, February 23). Picturebooks & Play. The Literacy Channel.
Fiorentini, C.M. (2026, February 3). Teaching with Informational Text in the Primary Classroom. Literacy Association of Ireland & West Cork Education Centre.
Fiorentini, C.M. (2025, November 25). Writing for Pleasure in the Senior Primary Classroom. West Cork Education Centre.
Fiorentini, C.M. (2025, November 18). Harnessing the Power of Poetry for Language and Literacy Instruction in the Junior Primary Classroom. West Cork Education Centre.
Fiorentini, C.M. (2025, November 11). Harnessing the Power of Poetry for Language and Literacy Instruction in the Senior Primary Classroom. West Cork Education Centre.
Fiorentini, C.M. (2025, October 21). Increasing Opportunities for Informational Text in the Junior Primary Classroom. West Cork Education Centre.
Fiorentini, C.M. (2025, September 30). Increasing Opportunities for Informational Text in the Senior Primary Classroom. West Cork Education Centre.
Fiorentini, C.M. & O'Sullivan, J. (2025, May 21). Lighthouses and Literacy. The Literacy Channel.
Fiorentini, C.M. (2025, May 15). The Art of Reading Aloud in the Junior Primary Classroom. West Cork Education Centre.
Fiorentini, C.M. (2025, April 29). Fostering a Love of Literature Through Book Tastings in the Primary Classroom. West Cork Education Centre.
Fiorentini, C.M. (2025, April 3). Reading for Pleasure in the Senior Primary Classroom. West Cork Education Centre.
Fiorentini, C.M. (2025, March 27). Writing for Pleasure in the Senior Primary Classroom. Sligo Education Centre.
Fiorentini, C.M. (2025, March 11). The Art of Reading Aloud in the Senior Primary Classroom. Sligo Education Centre.
Fiorentini, C.M. (2025, March 8). Assessment and Play-Based Literacy. As part of Assessing Literacy Skills: A Literacy Symposium with Dr. Jan Hasbrouck. The Literacy Channel.
Fiorentini, C.M. (2025, March 5). The Art of Reading Aloud in the Junior Primary Classroom. Sligo Education Centre.
Fiorentini, C.M. (2025, February 27). Seizing Opportunities for Playful Literacy Learning in the Junior Primary Classroom. West Cork Education Centre.
Fiorentini, C.M. (2025, February 11). Effective Strategies for Oral Language Instruction in the Senior Primary Classroom. West Cork Education Centre.
Fiorentini, C.M. (2025, February 4). Effective Strategies for Oral Language Instruction in the Junior Primary Classroom. West Cork Education Centre.
Fiorentini, C.M. (2025, January 30). Effective Strategies for Oral Language Instruction in the Senior Primary Classroom. Sligo Education Centre.
Fiorentini, C.M. (2025, January 23). Effective Strategies for Oral Language Instruction in the Junior Primary Classroom. Sligo Education Centre.
Fiorentini, C.M. (2025, January 16). Increasing Opportunities for Informational Text Use in the Senior Primary Classroom. Sligo Education Centre.
Fiorentini, C.M. (2025, January 14). Playful Literacy Learning in the Junior Primary Classroom. Sligo Education Centre.
Fiorentini, C.M. (2024, November 20). Effective Use of Novels in the Senior Primary Classroom. West Cork Education Centre.
Fiorentini, C.M. (2024, September 21). Insights on Informational Text. As part of Comprehension and Complex Texts a Literacy Symposium with Prof. Timothy Shanahan. The Literacy Channel.
Fiorentini, C.M. (2024, March 21). Poetry in the Senior Primary Classroom. West Cork Education Centre.
Fiorentini, C.M. (2024, March 19). Poetry in the Junior Primary Classroom. West Cork Education Centre.
Fiorentini, C.M. (2024, March 9). Picturebooks and the Primary Language Curriculum. As part of The Science of Reading: Picturebooks - A Literacy Symposium for The Literacy Channel.
Fiorentini, C.M. (2024, February 26). Creating a Classroom Culture of Reading. West Cork Education Centre.
Fiorentini, C.M. (2024, February 22). Writing for Pleasure in the Primary Classroom. West Cork Education Centre.
Prioritising Play: Strategies for Playful Literacy Development in the Junior Primary Classroom - October 23, 2023. Hosted by West Cork, Cork, Wexford, Kilkenny & Waterford Education Centres.
Reading for Pleasure in the Primary Classroom - October 14, 2023. Hosted by West Cork, Cork, Wexford, Kilkenny & Waterford Education Centres.
The Novel in the Primary Classroom – 28 September, 2023. Hosted by West Cork, Cork, Wexford, Kilkenny, Waterford & Limerick Education Centres.
Engaging Oral Language Instruction in the Primary Classroom - 14th & 21st of September. Hosted by West Cork, Cork, Wexford, Kilkenny, Waterford & Limerick Education Centres.
The Novel in the Primary Classroom - May 4, 2023. Hosted by West Cork, Cork, Kilkenny, Waterford & Wexford Education Centre.
Prioritising Play: Strategies for Playful Literacy Development in the Junior Primary Classroom - 15th May, 7pm -hosted by West Cork Education Centre.
Reading for Pleasure in the Primary Classroom - 24 April, 2023. Hosted by West Cork, Cork, Wexford, Kilkenny & Waterford Education Centres.
Picturebooks and the PLC - April 19, 2023. A webinar in collaboration with the Literacy Association of Ireland & hosted by Navan, Clare & Tralee Education Centres.
Prioritising Play: Strategies for Playful Literacy Development in the Junior Primary Classroom - March 6, 2023. Hosted by Donegal, Carrick & Mayo Education Centres
Engaging Oral Language Instruction in the Primary Classroom - 21st & 27th February, 2023. Hosted by West Cork, Cork, Wexford, Kilkenny, Waterford & Limerick Education Centres.
Online Symposia
The Science of Reading In Ireland: Scarborough's rope and The Primary Language Curriculum - 20th May: 9.30am - 1.30pm (Online)
The Science of Reading in Ireland: 'Caught or taught?' Exploring Evidence-based Spelling Instruction - 2nd September: 9.30am - 1.30pm
Invited contributions
Clara contributed to Dr Jennifer Buckingham’s Winston Churchill report An Investigation of Literacy Instruction and Policy in the United Kingdom and Ireland (April, 2024)
Clara contributed her expertise as a literacy consultant to the Educational Research Centre in the development of their early literacy assessment (2024)
Every lesson is a language lesson: Reflecting on Meaningful OL instruction in the primary classroom - An input for the Department of Education Primary Inspectorate (Online) - 18th April, 2023.
The Early Literacy Lens: Opportunities for Continuation of Early literacy Practices across the early Years - 15th May, 2023 Athlone, Co. Westmeath.
Picturebooks for Reading Comprehension - An Input for the Department of Education Primary Inspectorate, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, July 5th, 2023.
Blog
Clara runs the popular Irish teaching blog: www.claramariafiorentini.com
Fiorentini, C.M. (2025, January 21). Are the children *actually* reading?. www.ClaraMariaFiorentini.com. https://www.claramariafiorentini.com/post/are-the-children-actually-reading
Fiorentini, C.M. (2024, August 26). Alternatives to the Three-Cueing Method. www.ClaraMariaFiorentini.com. https://www.claramariafiorentini.com/post/alternatives-to-the-three-cueing-method
Fiorentini, C.M. (2024, August 24). Alternatives to Round Robin Reading. www.ClaraMariaFiorentini.com. https://www.claramariafiorentini.com/post/alternatives-to-round-robin-reading
Fiorentini, C.M. (2024, February 28). Aistear and Your Local Library. www.ClaraMariaFiorentini.com. https://www.claramariafiorentini.com/post/aistear-your-local-library
Fiorentini, C.M. (2024, February 26).Getting to Grips with a Book Tasting. www.ClaraMariaFiorentini.com. https://www.claramariafiorentini.com/post/getting-to-grips-with-a-book-tasting
Other Outputs
Summer courses
Author & facilitator: Firm Foundations: Building foundations for literacy development.Online Summer Course for Primary Teachers. Marino Institute of Education, July 2023.
Co-author & co-facilitator: Teaching & Learning in the Early Childhood Setting. Online Summer Course for Primary Teachers. Collaboration Dr Sinéad McCauley Lambe. EPV approved. Marino Institute of Education, July 2022, July, 2021, July 2020.
Co-author & co-facilitator: Play, Language & Literacy: A Face to Face summer course for primary teachers. Collaboration with Dr Sinéad McCauley Lambe. Marino Institute of Education, July 4-8, 2022.
School Support
'Phonological Awareness: What, how & why? - Nun's Cross, Co. Wicklow, September 6th, 2023
Engaging Oral Language Instruction. Our Lady of Victories, Ballymun Road, Glasnevin, Dublin 11. November, 2022.
PD Input
Every lesson is a language lesson: Reflecting on Meaningful OL instruction in the primary classroom - An input for the Department of Education Primary Inspectorate (Online) - 18th April.
The Early Literacy Lens: Opportunities for Continuation of Early literacy Practices across the early Years - 15th May, Athlone, Co. Westmeath.
Picturebooks for Reading Comprehension - An Input for the Department of Education Primary Inspectorate, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, July 5th.
Literacy News (Magazine for Literacy Association of Ireland)
Fiorentini, C.M. (2022). Picturebook Wishlist. Literacy News - Winter. 12-13.
Fiorentini, C.M. (2021). Reconnecting with Read Alouds. Literacy News - Spring. 11-12.
Fiorentini, C.M. (2020). Choosing a ‘literacy-rich’ play environment. Literacy News - Autumn. 41-44.
Fiorentini, C.M. (2020). Talkative Transitions: Seizing opportunities for informal conversation in the classroom. Literacy News - Spring. 8-9.
Research/Professional Interests
Literacy development, writing instruction, children's literature for language and literacy instruction, playful pedagogy.
Professional Activities
Director and Board Member of Young Ballymun (February 2026 - present). https://youngballymun.org/
Editor in Chief, Literacy News. Literacy Association of Ireland's Biannual Magazine.
Centre for Children's Literature and Pedagogy Ireland (CCLPI) (co founder) (2025 - present).
Judge for the KPMG Children's Books Ireland Annual Book Awards (2024 - present)
Membership
Literacy Research Association. (2021 - present). Member.
Irish Society for the Study of Children's Literature (ICCCL). (2020 - present).
OMEP Ireland. (2020 - present). Member.
International Literacy Association. (2019 - present). Member.
Literacy Association of Ireland. (2017 - present). Member.
Teaching Council (Ireland). (2008 - present). Registered teacher.