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9 science of reading resources for teachers and parents

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The answer in one minute

  1. Shanahan on Literacy · Free · Ages Teachers: A former Chicago Public Schools reading director and professor emeritus answers teachers' questions about reading research in a regular…
  2. The Reading League · Free; paid training · Ages Teachers: A national nonprofit that promotes evidence-aligned reading instruction through a journal, conferences, state chapters and free guides.
  3. Reach All Readers · Free; paid membership · Ages Teachers: Formerly The Measured Mom, this is a K-3 reading site with a podcast, blog and printables, run by a former teacher who moved from balanced…
  4. The Literacy Nest · Free; paid materials · Ages Teachers: A certified Orton-Gillingham teacher's site on structured literacy, with a blog, podcast and free library.
  5. This Reading Mama · Free; paid library · Ages Parents: A former teacher and reading tutor shares hands-on phonics, spelling and reading activities and free printables for preschool to grade 5.

The science of reading is the research on how children learn to read: hearing the sounds in words, linking them to letters, and building the vocabulary and knowledge to understand what they decode. These sites explain that research and turn it into teaching, from a reading researcher's blog to nonprofits for families of children with dyslexia. Some sell curriculum or courses, and we note it. Start with one explainer and one practical site, and be wary of anyone who says one program fixes everything.

We read each site's home page, About page and recent posts in November 2026 and picked one free page to start with. Two big nonprofit sites would not load for our checker, so their entries describe them without a start link. Checked 2026-11-06. Nobody paid to be here and nothing is an affiliate link.

All 9 picks side by side

  1. 1Shanahan on LiteracyFreeAges Teachers
  2. 2The Reading LeagueFreeAges Teachers
  3. 3Reach All ReadersFreeAges Teachers
  4. 4The Literacy NestFreeAges Teachers
  5. 5This Reading MamaFreeAges Parents
  6. 6Reading RocketsFreeAges Parents
  7. 7UnderstoodFreeAges Parents
  8. 8Decoding DyslexiaFreeAges Parents
  9. 9International Dyslexia AssociationFreeAges Teachers

  1. Shanahan on Literacy

    Timothy Shanahan · Free · Ages Teachers

    A former Chicago Public Schools reading director and professor emeritus answers teachers' questions about reading research in a regular blog, with free papers and slides. He is careful about what the research does and does not show.

    Best for: straight answers to 'what does the research say?' questions
    Start here: Do Decodables Promote Love of Reading? What Books Launch Lifetime Readers? (31 Oct 2026)

  2. The Reading League

    The Reading League · Free; paid training · Ages Teachers

    A national nonprofit that promotes evidence-aligned reading instruction through a journal, conferences, state chapters and free guides. Its Defining Guide explains in plain words what the science of reading is and is not.

    Best for: a clear definition of the science of reading to share with colleagues or parents
    Start here: What is the Science of Reading? (with the free Defining Guide)

    Watch for: Sells professional learning and conference tickets.

  3. Reach All Readers

    Anna Geiger · Free; paid membership · Ages Teachers

    Formerly The Measured Mom, this is a K-3 reading site with a podcast, blog and printables, run by a former teacher who moved from balanced literacy to evidence-based practice. It is written for teachers, interventionists and homeschool parents.

    Best for: K-3 teachers who want low-prep phonics printables and plain explainers
    Start here: Fast Fact Sheets on phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension

    Watch for: Free decodable books need an email address; there is a paid membership and shop.

  4. The Literacy Nest

    Emily Gibbons · Free; paid materials · Ages Teachers

    A certified Orton-Gillingham teacher's site on structured literacy, with a blog, podcast and free library. It is strongest on intervention and tutoring.

    Best for: tutors and interventionists using Orton-Gillingham methods
    Start here: Where to Start With Reading Intervention for Older Students

    Watch for: Heavily commercial: a store, an app subscription and paid PD alongside the free posts.

  5. This Reading Mama

    Becky Spence · Free; paid library · Ages Parents

    A former teacher and reading tutor shares hands-on phonics, spelling and reading activities and free printables for preschool to grade 5. It is aimed at parents, homeschoolers and tutors of struggling readers.

    Best for: parents who want hands-on phonics games and printables
    Start here: New here? Start here

    Watch for: Christian site; many freebies need a newsletter signup; paid membership library.

  6. Reading Rockets

    WETA · Free · Ages Parents

    A public media project with articles, videos and classroom strategies on how children learn to read, for teachers and parents. It covers phonics, fluency, comprehension and reading difficulties.

    Best for: parents and teachers who want plain explainers and short videos

  7. Understood

    Understood for All · Free · Ages Parents

    A nonprofit founded in 2014 with free, expert-reviewed articles, podcasts and tools on dyslexia, ADHD and other learning differences, in English and Spanish. It is broader than reading, but strong on what to do when reading is hard.

    Best for: parents working through evaluations, IEPs and 504 plans
    Start here: IEP Guide for Parents

    Watch for: Not a teaching-method site; it does not give medical advice.

  8. Decoding Dyslexia

    Parent-led state groups · Free · Ages Parents

    A network of parent-led groups in each state that push for dyslexia screening, teacher training and intervention in public schools. The site points you to your state's group.

    Best for: parents who want to find other families pushing for change in their state
    Start here: Find your state's group

    Watch for: An advocacy network with clear policy goals, not a teaching site.

  9. International Dyslexia Association

    International Dyslexia Association · Free; paid membership · Ages Teachers

    A long-standing association with fact sheets on dyslexia and structured literacy, standards for teacher knowledge, and local branches. Its fact sheets are widely shared by schools.

    Best for: free fact sheets on dyslexia to hand to parents or colleagues

Questions parents ask

What is the science of reading, in one sentence?
It is the body of research on how children learn to read, which shows that most children need explicit, systematic teaching of how sounds map to letters, alongside vocabulary and background knowledge, to become strong readers.
Are decodable books part of the science of reading?
Decodable books use only the letter patterns a child has been taught, so they let beginners practice decoding. Timothy Shanahan's 31 October 2026 post notes their research base is modest and that they are useful for a short stage, not as the only books children read.

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