The Active Reader

Rated 5 out of 5, based on 2 reviews

19 Followers

Collingwood, Ontario, Canada

About the store

Hi TPT community! I'm Rebecca McAllister - I’ve been a licensed teacher for over 10 years. But it wasn’t until I had my daughter that I realized something hard to admit: even with my degree and years in the classroom, I didn’t actually know how to teach reading. I wasn’t trained in the science of reading. I hadn’t even heard of Orton-Gillingham. That realization hit me hard, and it pushed me to dig deeper. I got trained, I studied what really works, and it completely changed how I think about literacy. That’s why I started The Active Reader, to give educators and parents the tools and confidence I wish I had earlier. Because every child deserves the chance to become a strong reader, and every educator should feel empowered to help them get there.

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Short Vowels | CVC Sound Mapping Activity

Created by

The Active Reader

Boost early reading skills with this engaging Short Vowel CVC Word Sound Mapping activity, perfect for building phonemic awareness and strengthening phonics instruction in Pre-K, Kindergarten, and 1st Grade classrooms! This hands-on resource helps students segment, blend, and map the individual sounds (phonemes) in consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) words using sound tapping. It’s an ideal tool for science of reading-aligned instruction, literacy centers, guided reading groups, and intervention set

PreK - 1st

Phonics & Phonological Awareness, Reading Strategies, Science of Reading

Digraph Phonics Lesson Bundle | Science of Reading Aligned | CCVC Words

Created by

The Active Reader

Looking for engaging, easy-to-use digraph activities to boost early reading skills? This Digraph Bundle is a fun and effective way to teach common consonant digraphs like sh, ch, th, wh, and ck, perfect for small groups, intervention, literacy centers, or at-home learning! Designed for Pre-K, Kindergarten, and 1st Grade, this resource combines structured literacy with play-based learning to help students develop phonemic awareness, improve decoding skills, and build confidence in reading. What

PreK - 1st

Phonics & Phonological Awareness, Reading Strategies, Science of Reading

30-Week Early Literacy Program | Learner Handouts | Aligned with SOR

Created by

The Active Reader

These 30 Weeks of Learner Handouts are the perfect companion to a structured literacy curriculum—giving students daily, hands-on practice with the skills they're learning through explicit instruction. Aligned with the Science of Reading, this resource includes engaging, no-prep phonics worksheets and literacy activities that reinforce key early reading skills like phonemic awareness, letter recognition, decoding, and fluency. Each week builds progressively, following a clear scope and sequence t

PreK - 1st

Phonics & Phonological Awareness, Reading, Science of Reading

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About the store

Experience

Teaching style

After years in education and becoming a parent, I realized the mainstream methods of teaching reading weren’t cutting it. Kids need more than memorization and learning to guess. My teaching style is direct and student-centered. I don’t waste time on fluff, and I focus on what actually works. I use explicit, structured literacy rooted in the science of reading, but I bring it to life with multisensory strategies, creative play, and a heavy dose of gamification. Whether I’m working with a child, a parent, or an educator, my goal is simple: make reading instruction clear, engaging, and effective, so kids don’t just learn to read, they love it.

Awards & shining teacher moments

I create practical, research-backed literacy tools that help young kids actually learn to read, and help adults feel confident teaching them. My work has been recognized by Forbes, Reader’s Choice, and Canada’s Total Mom Pitch for making early childhood literacy simple, effective, and accessible for both educators and parents. Before building curriculum full-time, I was a classroom teacher who led the development of our physical education program, where I was known for helping kids grow not just academically, but physically and confidently, too. Everything I share here is built from that same mindset: student-centered, real-world tested, and designed to help you teach with purpose and clarity.

My own education history

I wasn’t the kid who picked up reading easily. I struggled with reading, writing, and comprehension for most of my school years, and to be honest, I was never really taught how to read. That gap made high school a constant uphill battle. But I didn’t give up. I turned those challenges into fuel, and made it my mission to become the kind of teacher I wish I’d had. I earned a Master of Teaching, trained in Orton-Gillingham, and built deep expertise in structured literacy so I could help other educators bridge the gap I fell through. Now, I create tools and resources that are clear, effective, and rooted in what actually works, so every teacher feels supported and every student has a real shot at success.

Additional biographical information

I’m a mom of two young kids, and just like the parents and teachers I support, I’ve been in the trenches of teaching reading at home. I’ve walked my own children through their literacy journey using the same evidence-based methods I share with others. Over the years, I’ve taught thousands of children and supported countless parents and educators in helping young learners build real, lasting literacy skills.