Have you been hearing the buzz about the Science of Reading but are unsure how it applies to you?


We've gathered over a dozen experts and educators to help you understand what the current research says about effective reading instruction and how you can implement it in a Montessori setting.



Suitable for Early Childhood through Elementary

You will have access to the course content for 1 year

13 hour PD certificate provided. This course is also eligible for a 1.3 CEU upgrade from Loyola University. See Details.

We understand that your time is precious, so we've crafted this summit to enable you to get the most relevant insights without having to spend months sifting through the research. You'll come away with a solid foundation in reading research, and the confidence to make informed decisions about literacy instruction in your classroom.

Reading is a social justice issue, and if we want ALL children to read, this knowledge is imperative. You will learn strategies that you can implement in your classroom immediately to support both typical readers and those impacted by dyslexia.
-Tori Virlee, PsyD

Discover how the Science of Reading supports Montessori literacy practices and learn how to seamlessly integrate them into your curriculum.


Learn evidence-based strategies that you can use immediately to make a difference in your students' lives.


Boost your confidence in your instructional decisions, knowing they're backed by cutting-edge reading research.

Gain practical tools to fill in any gaps in your curriculum and support even the most struggling readers.


An Overview of the Science of Reading
& Intervention Strategies


Dr. Laura Saylor, Dr. Susan Zoll, Dr. Natasha Feinberg
The Science of Reading: An Overview


The ability to read is a human right and accordingly, every child needs access to high-quality, evidence-based literacy instruction. This presentation will take participants on a journey which weaves together the Science of Reading and Montessori Education. Educators will learn about the components of word recognition and language comprehension skills and how they relate to effective literacy instruction.

30 min


Dr. Luz Casquejo Johnston
The Link Between Montessori and the Science of Reading


Dr. Montessori identified the essential skills needed for reading, starting with sandpaper letters and word building, but the complexity of the English language complicates its teaching. This talk will guide participants in supporting learners' reading skills using Scarborough's Reading Rope to identify areas for improvement. Participants will examine multi-sensory activities that can be implemented into all models of instruction and explore available resources of evidence-based practices in reading instruction that can be applied in their own educational environments.

30 min


Julia Volkman
Reading Through the Lens of Neuroscience

While children learn to speak through language exposure, reading must be taught and requires the repurposing of the face-identifying part of the brain. This talk explores strategies that align with the brain's natural tendencies to support reading development.

45 min


Dr. Linda S. Zankowsky
Classroom Based Reading Assessment in Montessori


Child-centered Montessori classrooms require tools that allow Montessori teachers to develop confidence in knowing when a child is on track or off track as a reader. This workshop will provide a framework for reading assessment that helps Montessori teachers maintain a child-centered approach while knowing where each student is on the reading development continuum.

55 min


Tunisha Hairston-Brown
Strategies for Equitable and Effective Intervention


Learn about Equitable Reading Intervention Practices based on the Science of Reading, specifically in the areas of Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, and Fluency. This presentation shows how to implement equitable reading intervention practices in Montessori schools through evidence-based interventions, with an emphasis on the importance of assessments and progress monitoring to inform intervention strategies and improve equitable outcomes for all children.

55 min


The Comprehension Strand

Dr. Corey Borgman
The Full Science of Reading: Attending to Comprehension


Many experts and scholars express concern that policymakers and practitioners are reducing the Science of Reading down to a narrow focus on decoding, neglecting the crucial comprehension strands of Scarborough’s Rope. This session will review comprehension elements and highlight the importance of attending to comprehension strategies in Montessori classrooms.

75 min

Claudia Mann
Practical Reading Applications in Cosmic Education


This workshop will demonstrate the implementation of the Scarborough Reading Rope in every subject, from biology to history with points of interest in math and language, encouraging student interest and creating exercises tailored to their learning. Educators will be able to create their own supplemental reading materials to accompany any cultural topic of interest to their students.

50 min


Leah Walsh
Come Join Our Circle: Ideas to Bring Fun and Learning to Morning Meetings


Oral language is the foundation of literacy development and is directly linked to reading ability and comprehension. This talk offers ideas for using morning meetings, such as songs, stories, riddles, and rhymes, to introduce and practice skills that support reading success. Learners will leave this workshop with an understanding of the importance of group time learning and supporting oral language development throughout the early years and beyond.

30 min


Sarah Moudry
Spoken Language is the Foundation for Total Reading


Introducing spoken language activities to young children helps build a rich vocabulary and sets them on a path to becoming total readers. This session will cover spoken language presentations for the Children's House, explain the concept of total readers, and offer ideas for making language learning enjoyable in the classroom.

30 min


The Decoding Strand

Cathie Perolman
Phonological and Phonemic Awareness: Practical and Enticing Activities for the 3-6 Classroom


This workshop provides fun and practical ways to integrate Phonological and Phonemic Awareness activities into the classroom, including circle and small group activities and shelf works for reinforcement. Suitable for all learners, the workshop progresses from the most basic skills to the use of the Movable Alphabet, and includes information on resources for materials.

40 min


Sara Cotner
A Phonics Scope and Sequence: The Why and How


Research indicates that 60% of emergent readers benefit from systematic phonics instruction, and this session explores how to incorporate it into Montessori language albums and practices. This talk covers the "why" and "how" of building a phonics scope and sequence for 3-6 year-olds, 6-9 year-old, and even 9-12 year-olds, including practical strategies for systematic phonics knowledge acquisition.


35 min


Emily Counts
The Trouble with English


Why did the original Montessori Method of reading and writing only require Sandpaper Letters and Moveable Alphabet? Why aren't those materials sufficient for English-speaking classrooms? In this presentation Emily will explain how to connect the 40+ sounds of English to written letters, and why written English is a particularly difficult writing system.

50 min


Allison Jones and Zil Jaeger
Fundamental Keys to Decoding: Supporting Young Learners


This session will provide practical activities grounded in the Science of Reading to support emerging readers in sound-symbol correspondence and decoding. Educators will learn about orthographic mapping and why it is essential in supporting children with decoding skills, and will feel empowered to implement these low-prep to no-prep activities in their classrooms using existing Montessori materials.

50 min


Dr. Tori Virlee
Orthographic Mapping: What is it and Why Does it Matter?


This workshop will teach you the basics of word level reading and how readers store words for immediate recall, a critical skill for fluency and comprehension. Discover practical strategies that can be implemented immediately in your classroom to support all readers, including those impacted by dyslexia. Reading is a social justice issue, and if we want ALL children to read, this knowledge is imperative.

45 min


Jasmine Williams
Doubling-Down on Decoding

Teachers often fall into one of two decoding instruction traps: either putting decoding materials aside too soon or progressing too fast or too slow, causing students to lose interest. This session encourages doubling down on decoding by utilizing the range of materials available to support students in all decoding stages, ultimately benefiting their future reading skills. Let’s double down on decoding. Your readers will thank you for it one day.

30 min


Angie Ma
Demystifying Decoding: Maximizing the Montessori Curriculum for Learning


Research reveals that decoding is a complex web of related skills that weave together to form a strong foundation for fluency. With a few key perspectives, teachers can maximize the Montessori English Language curriculum to catapult learning, infuse joy in a child’s experience, and solidify this essential skill for lifelong literacy. This presentation will explore perspectives that can infuse joyful learning, a growth mindset, and friendliness with error on the path to fluency.


60 min


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