Episode
88. Montessori Storytelling: The History of English Spelling with Zil Jaeger
- Published
- Apr 7, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 2445
- Processing state
not_requested- Canonical source
- https://www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.com/podcast/88
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Summary
In this episode of Literacy in Color, Michelle chats with Montessori educator and literacy advocate Zil Jaeger to explore a powerful instructional tool: storytelling. Zil shares how Montessori storytelling goes far beyond engagement; it’s a structured, intentional approach to building background knowledge, activating imagination, and anchoring learning in meaningful ways. Key Takeaways: Why storytelling is foundational to Montessori education The concept of cosmic education and helping students see the interconnectedness of knowledge The “whole-to-parts” approach and how it supports schema-building and retrieval How storytelling strengthens memory through curiosity, imagery, and repetition Zil’s “Story of English Spelling” & why English spelling is not random and how history lives inside words - Through timelines, maps, and multisensory storytelling, students begin to understand why words are spelled the way they are. Zil also shares how Montessori & Structured Literacy can align with intention, bringing research-based practices into a Montessori framework in thoughtful, systematic ways. Resources Mentioned: Zil’s Story of English Spelling: https://www.ziljaeger.com/shop/p/englishspelling Etymonline (Etymology Dictionary) Book: The High Frequency Word Project by Rebecca Loveless & Fiona Hamilton Book: Dictionary of Word Origins by John Ayto Book: Oxford School Dictionary of Word Origins by John Ayto Book: Spell It Out by David Crystal Book: Language Visible by David Sacks This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting the podcast! Connect with Zil Jaeger: Website: www.ziljaeger.com Instagram: @ziljaeger Connect with Michelle:…