Early bird rate ends soon!
Come for the content,
Stay for the party!
Join us for a day of fun-filled sessions designed to help K-5 teachers teach aligned to the Science of Reading!
June 25, 2026 in Racine, WI
If you are tax-exempt or would like to pay with a purchase order, please email us for tickets at [email protected].
Need a letter requesting funding from your school or district?
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Mychal Threets is a librarian, mental health advocate, and, by his own admission, the library’s number-one fan. A lifelong lover of libraries, Mychal was homeschooled and raised among the stacks, receiving his first library card at the age of five.
He began his career as a library shelver at the same library he grew up in, eventually working his way up to become its Supervising Librarian. Mychal is open and honest about his mental health, sharing his experiences in hopes of helping others on their own journeys. He’s known for reminding people—again and again—that he’s genuinely happy they’re here.
He considers it an honor to the library people who influence and inspire him that he is a recipient of the 2024 I Love My Librarian Award from the American Library Association, inclusion in School Library Journal’s 2024 Movers and Shakers, TIME Magazine’s 2024 Next Generation Leaders, a 2024 Webby Award for Social Impact, and a spot on TIME’s inaugural 2025 list of 100 Creators.
Mychal is the author of I’m So Happy You’re Here: A Celebration of Library Joy (Random House Children’s Books), illustrated by Lorraine Nam. He currently serves as Resident Librarian for PBS and PBS Kids—and still can’t quite believe he’s the host of the revival of Reading Rainbow.
Science of Learning 101
Did you know the brain is built to forget? So the real question is…how do we help students retain what matters most? In this session, Jessica will introduce the science of learning and how to apply it directly to your literacy instruction. You’ll learn evidence-based practices such as retrieval practice, spaced review, and high-yield engagement routines. PLUS, you'll practice each strategy in real time! Walk away with simple, effective techniques you can use immediately to boost retention and engagement in your literacy block.
Write it Right: Breaking Down the Science of Writing
Writing instruction used to be understood as a “go off and write” time, leaving students with little explicit instruction. So, where do we start? What categories of focus can I sort student writing samples into? Join Jake in this session where he breaks down sentence-level instruction, sentence expansion, sentence variety, planning, and revision. This session will give concrete examples of how to positively impact student writing development.
Why Words Work: Phonics Rules, Origins, and Tips Kids Never Forget
Get ready for a lively deep dive into the patterns behind the words we read every day! In this upbeat session, we’ll uncover the “why” behind English spelling through phonics generalizations, word origins, and memorable tricks you can take straight back to your classroom. You’ll walk away with easy rhymes, chants, and student-friendly explanations that make tricky patterns click. Come explore how to boost transfer, build confidence, and make phonics instruction feel joyful—for you and your students!
Vocab That Sticks: How to Plan Lessons Kids Actually Remember
Building vocabulary isn’t about handing students a list of words and memorizing their definitions. It’s about designing lessons that make those words stick. In this lively, hands-on session, we’ll walk through a simple, research-aligned routine for planning effective vocabulary lessons from start to finish. You’ll learn how to select high-impact words, introduce them in ways the brain remembers, and weave in morphology, orthography, and background knowledge without overwhelming your students (or your planning time!). We’ll model the routine using real classroom examples, explore what “explicit instruction” truly looks like, and unpack how word learning connects to the reading brain. We’ll also dive into a few high-leverage activities that build word consciousness, deepen meaning, and boost long-term retention. You’ll leave with a practical planning template, easy-to-use routines you can implement immediately, and a toolkit of strategies to help your students develop the kind of vocabulary that endures well beyond the lesson.
Stress-Free Sight Words!
Tired of endless repetitions and forgotten sight words? There’s a better way! In this session, discover how science reveals that we store words by matching sounds to symbols, not by memorization. Learn simple, effective strategies to make high-frequency word learning fun and engaging in whole group, small group, and center activities. Say goodbye to the stress and hello to meaningful learning!
Kickstart Literacy Centers: The 4-Step KICK Framework
with MeQuel Bolden
Say goodbye to chaotic centers and hello to a literacy block that runs like magic! In this upbeat, hands-on session, you’ll learn the 4-Step KICK Framework... your new secret weapon for launching literacy centers that are calm, purposeful, and packed with skill-building power. Walk away with practical routines, engaging ideas, and a clear roadmap for creating centers that practically run themselves… so you can focus on what matters most: teaching!
Rock Your Literacy Block!
with Lindsay Kemeny
When Reading Fails: The Hidden Path from Classroom to Incarceration
with Hilderbrand Pelzer III
Need paperwork to submit to your school/district for funding?
Download our conference guide below! If you need a letter requesting funding, download our editable version here!!
Amie Burkholder is a K–5 Literacy Coach, national speaker, consultant, and author of Literacy Unlocked: How to Implement the Science of Reading With Young Learners.
With 15 years of experience in education, Amie specializes in turning research into practical, teacher-friendly instruction. She is the creator of the Route2Reading Membership and the Foundations to Fluency phonics curriculum, and she’s trained in Orton-Gillingham and LETRS. Amie is passionate about helping teachers build strong literacy systems, supporting struggling readers, and making evidence-based practices feel doable in real classrooms.
NEW VIP Upgrade Option for 2026!
You can choose to upgrade to one of the front row tables (only 24 available) or to VIP balcony seating. Both options include exclusive VIP swag!
SoR Mini Con will take place in beautiful downtown Racine, WI. With a gorgeous beach, you may just want to stay an extra day and make it a family vacation!
The venue is just 30 minutes from Milwaukee and 75 minutes from Chicago O'Hare!
NOW TAKING RESERVATIONS FOR 2026!
Hotel Verdant is just 5 minutes walking distance from the venue. They are a newer hotel & also have a beautiful rooftop bar!
If you prefer, you can call to make your reservations. Just mention the SOR MiniCon when you book. (262) 456-6851
Are you a business looking to support literacy?
Click below or mail us today to find out more about sponsorship opportunities! [email protected]
LEARN MORE!
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have a question that is not answered here, please reach out to us anytime at [email protected]!
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Terms & Conditions - 2026 Science of Reading Mini-Con
