Teaching the Science of Reading since 1997.
About Us
Founded in 1997.
The APPLE Group is a a 501.3(c) non-profit organization. It was founded in 1997 by Cherry Frierson and her daughter, Mary-Margaret Scholtens.
We began with coalition of parents and teachers whose children were bright and dyslexic.
But traditional teaching methods left many of these bright students struggling to read and comprehend. Frustrated by the lack of progress and low self-esteem of these bright pupils, Cherry and Mary-Margaret developed a multi-sensory science of reading curriculum called CONNECTIONS OG in 3D.
Based on Orton-Gillingham and extensive research on multi-sensory learning and the brain, CONNECTIONS began to unlock reading for student after student.
Today, the Apple Group has a suite of proven resources and training to equip educators, therapists, and parents to teach the science of reading.
Over 2,000 educators have been trained and transformed by the Apple Group, from down the street to Japan.
What People Are Saying
“
Of all the younger people out in the field who know what they are doing, you are tops! I was so impressed with your creative approach to the application of the ideas I have tried to express.
”
— DR. LOUISA MOATS
“
We choose one teacher to honor with the Patrick Groff Award. This year, we chose Mary-Margaret Scholtens for her contribution to advancing the science of reading instruction in the classroom and in other ways of note.
”
— HONORABLE ROBERT SWEET & JOY SWEET, THE NATIONAL RIGHT TO READ FOUNDATION
“
I want to personally thank The APPLE Group and Mary-Margaret Scholtens for your lifelong commitment to fostering knowledge and empowering others through reading.
”
— GOVERNOR ASA HUTCHINSON, ARKANSAS
“
The APPLE Group’s objective is to expand the use of proven methods of reading instruction to reach ALL students, regardless of their socio-economic background so they can learn to read when they begin their formal schooling. Their approach includes a teacher-friendly, step by step, fun, science based reading curriculum that can be used successfully for an entire class, or in one-on-one instruction.
”
— HONORABLE ROBERT SWEET, FORMER DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION
Author of the report of the National Reading Panel and Reading First. Partner of Reid Lyon (Chief of the Child Development and Behavior Branch within the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) at the National Institute of Health
Proudly, IDA Accredited
The APPLE Group and CONNECTIONS OGin3D is an IDA Accredited Plus Program.
Contact Us
For more on how we can help, reach out to The APPLE Group or check on upcoming trainings.