NEXT: (see Schedule for others) March 22-23, 2010 10 Event Series: Keynotes, dialogues, and discussions Greenville, SC

For more information or to register: http://ready4reading.org/reading-by-8

Children of the Code events are multidisciplinary, multimedia, learning journeys into what is at stake and what is involved in learning to read.  Our events are thought provoking tours through the insights of over one hundred and fifty field leading scientists, scholars, educators, government leaders, children, and parents.

"Extremely thought provoking! I really never thought about reading in the way I now am." - G. Willis, Gerald Adams Elementary School, Key West, Fl

I am a 30-year teacher and I felt like for once what was being said to me made absolute sense."  - K. HusVall, Cheektawaga, New York

We don't sell products or advocate for a political, ideological, or methodological agenda - we don't play the blame game either.  Our events proceed from the premise that independent of all the arguments about how to teach reading, the better educators and parents understand the challenges involved in learning to read, the better they can help children learn through those challenges. 

"The Code and the Challenge of Learning to Read It" is a powerful professional learning experience. It communicates multiple messages that challenge the diverse personal and professional interests of educators on a variety of engaging levels." - Elizabeth D. Holmes, Director, Center for Quality Teaching and Learning, Columbus State University

University Seminars

"Insightful and informative. This is not a quick fix or remedy for reading problems, but a thorough scientific explanation of the entire reading process from leading experts in a variety of fields. Attending this event will provide a deeper understanding of why children struggle with reading and what needs to be done to address this crisis in our schools."  - Karen Kemp, Seminar Organizer for Council of New York Special Education Administrators, Director of Special Programs, Cohoes City Schools

COTC events weave Children of the Code video sequences and multimedia content into exciting and perspective-shifting learning experiences that re-orient how our audiences think about 'the code' and the 'challenges in involved in learning to read it'. 

"Wow! Eureka! Now I get it. I wish I had heard this 25 years ago." - M. Plail, Sutton Elementary Even Start, Houston, TX  

What is reading? How does learning to read affect our intelligence, emotional development, and the overall health of our learning?  How does learning to read as children shape how we grow into adults?

"This was truly an awakening for me!  I will never look at the reading process in the same way.   - Julie Colley Lowery, Education Specialist, Alabama State Department of Education, Special Education Services

What is the relationship between the alphabet, spelling, spoken language, reading, and writing?  Why is it so confusing? How is it confusing? How does the brain work out this confusion and what happens when it can't do it fast enough?

Conference Talks and Keynotes

"Wow, that’s interesting.  I think that’s a lovely description of it (the challenge of learning to read).  I’m impressed with the cast that you’ve assembled; it’s certainly a very impressive group." - Dr. Tim Shanahan, Chair National Early Literacy Panel,  President (2006), International Reading Association

What is the difference between dyslexia and reading improficiency?  What is the difference between inherited weaknesses and growing up in environments that insufficiently exercise the neuro-developmental prerequisites of reading?  How does learning to read affect self-esteem and how does self-esteem affect learning to read? How do the feelings evoked by learning to read difficulties exacerbate learning to read difficulties?

"Like most scholars, until awakened by the “Children of the Code” project, I took reading as much for granted as eating and drinking. Very few of us have paid sufficient attention to the specific emotions triggered in children as they begin to read.   “Children of the Code” merits the serious attention of anyone interested in emotional health of children or the future of America."  -  Dr. Donald L. Nathanson, M.D. Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Jefferson Medical College, Author: 'Shame and Pride' and 'Knowing and Feeling'

Professional Development Workshops

The central purpose of the Children of the Code Project is to help educators, parents, and all who care about children, develop a deeper first-person understanding of 'what is at stake' and 'what is involved' in learning to read.

We offer keynote addresses, presentations, talks, seminars, and workshops.  We customize and orchestrate each event to maximize relevance, connection, insight, and impact.  Because we are a non profit project our events are comparatively inexpensive - in many cases, only a fraction of the cost of engaging just one of our interviewees.