This session provides a clear introduction to the Science of Reading and why it is essential for effective literacy instruction. The facilitator will discuss what structured literacy is, what its key components are, and how to identify high-quality instructional materials that support student success. The session also reviews major research showing how structured literacy differs from outdated methods like whole language.

Teachers will have an opportunity to deepen their understanding of how the brain learns to read, including important researchers, the brain regions involved in reading, and the Four-Part Processing Model. Cognitive frameworks such as the Simple View of Reading and Scarborough’s Reading Rope will help explain how word recognition and language comprehension work together to build strong readers. This session provides an opportunity for educators and leaders to explore research on how children learn to read and consider how it connects to their instructional practices.