Book excerpt: Many Montessori teachers know what to do in the 3-6 classroom when it comes to the sandpaper letters and movable alphabet. Still, many are unsure what to do before that to help children learn to read and write.Phonological awareness is a critical, but often overlooked, part of the curriculum. This is true in Montessori and traditional settings. "Before the Sandpaper Letters" provides a lot of practical advice and activities from a seasoned Montessori teacher. You'll learn such things as print awareness, word awareness, rhyming, and phonemic awareness. This book also comes with a glossary of reading terms to help you better learn and communicate in the field. This is what every Montessori teacher should know, but may not have gotten in their training.