FAQ's

Your guide to using Montessori Makers Learning readers with confidence.

Welcome! Here, we answer common questions about our decodable readers and how they support children on their literacy journey. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or school leader, understanding why and how decodable books work is key to helping every child become a joyful, independent reader.

If you don’t see your question here, reach out to us directly — we’d love to help.

Best Practices for Using Decodable Readers

Research and classroom experience show that structured phonics instruction, paired with high-quality decodable books, leads to faster and more equitable literacy growth.

In Montessori, we already hold many of the right tools — sound games, sandpaper letters, moveable alphabets — but for some children, especially those who struggle to unlock reading through observation alone, decodable texts make all the difference.

Here’s what matters most:

Systematic progression: Teach phonics in a clear sequence, moving from simple to complex. Decodable books mirror that order — from CVC words to blends, digraphs, and advanced vowel patterns.
Repetition & rereading: Fluency is built through practice. Rereading a decodable strengthens both decoding and confidence.
Independence & joy: Let children choose books by color or number, and encourage them to read alone — even imperfectly.
Explicit + implicit learning: Direct phonics lessons paired with discovery-based reinforcement build a deeper understanding of language.

When combined, these practices help children move from sounding out to understanding — the bridge between decoding and true reading.

Questions Answered

What are decodable books?

Decodable books are carefully written so children can read most words using phonics patterns they already know. New sounds are introduced gradually, reinforcing what’s been taught. Unlike many storybooks filled with irregular words, decodables build skill and confidence through success.

Do all books include sight words and tricky words?

Yes. Every book lists high-frequency “tricky” words — even if they don’t appear in the text — so children can practice and internalize them consistently. This exposure helps children recognize irregular words automatically.

How should I use decodable books with the children?

Start with books matching their known phonics skills.
Encourage sounding out rather than guessing.
Reread often to build fluency.
Focus on one new skill at a time.
Celebrate every attempt — confidence is key.
Point out “tricky” words explicitly.

The goal isn’t perfection — it’s growth and joy in discovering, “I can read this myself.”

Can decodable books help with advanced phonics patterns?

Yes. Our upper-level books cover complex patterns like blends, digraphs, r-controlled vowels, long vowels, and multisyllabic words. They’re written for children transitioning from early decoding to fluent reading, ensuring support across the full learning spectrum.

Do all the books take place in a Montessori classroom?

Not all, but many are inspired by Montessori children’s real experiences. Some take place in classrooms (rug work, sound games, moving up to Elementary); others explore real-world themes like nature, science, or community. Every story centers reality, belonging, and curiosity — just like Montessori itself.

What is the structure of the decodable books at Montessori Makers Learning?

Our collection includes 96 books across 8 color-coded sets, each focused on a specific phonics skill — from simple CVC words to advanced patterns like vowel teams, r-controlled vowels, and multisyllabic words.
Sets vary in size (5–30 books) and grow in length and difficulty, matching a child’s natural reading progression.

How do I know when a child is ready for decodable books?

When a child can identify letter sounds, blend them smoothly (like c-a-t → cat), and has worked with phonetic objects or early reading materials, they’re ready. Decodable books extend this foundation, offering authentic practice that builds decoding automaticity.

How can decodable books help children become a better readers?

According to the National Reading Panel (2000) and the International Literacy Association (2020), explicit phonics instruction paired with decodable practice leads to stronger:

Word recognition through repeated exposure.
Fluency from structured repetition.
Comprehension as decoding becomes automatic.

Decodable texts transform effort into confidence — the foundation for lifelong reading.

How do I know when children are ready for more advanced books?

Look for consistent success decoding current patterns, confidence with sight words, and smooth blending. If decoding feels automatic, it’s time to move up. If they’re struggling, pause — review earlier sets or reinforce phonemic awareness.

Did you make these to replace the Montessori materials?

Absolutely not. These books exist to complement Montessori language materials — not replace them.
After decades in Montessori classrooms, I realized some children needed more explicit literacy support. I trained in Orton-Gillingham, studied the Science of Reading, and saw how decodable texts could bridge the gap.
But existing decodables lacked reality, depth, and Montessori spirit — so I wrote my own. Ninety-six books later, we have a series written for Montessori children, by a Montessorian.

In Short

Montessori + Science of Reading = accessible, joyful literacy for all.
Decodables don’t replace Montessori — they expand its reach.
Every book is designed to follow the child, build independence, and make reading feel possible.

When reading is decodable, it becomes liberating.