Books, Knowledge and Attention: The Science of Reading Grades 3-12

This workshop is designed to support teachers and school leaders in deepening their understanding of the Science of Reading and, crucially, in turning that research into classroom practice that is intentional, coherent, and effective. While awareness of the Science of Reading has grown rapidly, many educators are still grappling with how to apply the research in ways that genuinely improve student understanding. This session bridges that gap, connecting evidence to pedagogy and curriculum so that reading instruction leads to meaningful, lasting learning.

The session will be delivered by Doug Lemov and the team from Teach Like a Champion, drawing on decades of classroom observation, instructional design, and professional learning with schools across the United States and internationally. The focus is on what works in real classrooms and how great teachers consistently help students read with insight, confidence, and purpose.

The workshop concentrates on the phase of reading development that begins once students have mastered letter–sound correspondence, roughly from Grades 3 through 12, when the primary challenge shifts from learning to read to reading to learn. Participants will explore what research reveals about how students build meaning from complex texts, develop deep comprehension, and transfer understanding across subjects, including English language arts, history, and science.

Facilitators will guide participants through key research on the role of fluency, background knowledge, vocabulary, attention, and writing in reading comprehension. We’ll examine how these elements work together, why comprehension cannot be taught as a generic skill, and how strong curriculum design ensures that all students, regardless of background, can access and succeed with challenging texts. Particular attention will be given to designing effective close reading tasks that promote productive struggle and help students think more deeply and independently about what they read.

Throughout the workshop, participants will study video examples from real classrooms, analyze lesson plans grounded in research, and engage in structured discussion and reflection. The emphasis is firmly on practice, what this looks like in real classrooms, how it fits within existing curricula, and how teachers and leaders can make immediate, high-impact changes to instruction.

Who should attend?

This workshop is suitable for educators working with students in Grades 3–12, including:

• Elementary, middle, and high school teachers responsible for reading, English language arts, and content-area literacy
• Literacy coaches and instructional specialists supporting curriculum design and classroom practice
• School and district leaders seeking a research-aligned approach to improving reading comprehension outcomes
• Curriculum leaders and coaches responsible for selecting, adapting, or implementing high-quality instructional materials

Whether you are strengthening classroom instruction or leading literacy improvement across a school or district, this workshop provides a shared understanding, practical strategies, and common language to support better reading outcomes at scale.

Schools will also have the option to purchase the Implementation Toolkit, which includes a full set of workshop materials, alongside additional planning tools and training resources to support sustained, school-wide implementation.

Cost and location

The workshop is priced at $230 per person, which includes lunch and refreshments on the day.

Group bundles are available for schools and districts purchasing three or more places, a great option for teams looking to build shared understanding and align practice. To find out more about group pricing, please contact our team.

We’re also offering an enhanced professional learning package. For $285 per person, attendees will receive:

• Full access to this workshop with Doug Lemov, and
• A ticket to Washington, D.C. Festival of Education, taking place on October 3

This combined package offers exceptional value and the opportunity to further develop your teaching practice through exposure to a wide range of leading educators, ideas, and classroom-tested strategies. Group bundles also apply for this offer.

People booking before the 31 March 2026 will get a 15% discount.

Location

The training will take place at The British International School of Washington, the new home of the Washington, D.C. Festival of Education. The school provides a professional, inspiring setting for high-quality learning and collaboration, right in the heart of the D.C. education community.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher EducationScape Training & Events