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The Science of Reading Formula
Welcome to The Science of Reading Formula, the podcast that helps you simplify reading instruction, save time, and support every student’s success—without feeling like you’re running on empty.
I’m Malia Hollowell—a National Board Certified Teacher, author, and founder of Playdough to Plato. Over the past 20 years, I’ve honed my craft, combining science-backed practices with practical solutions to meet the real challenges educators face every day.
Each episode dives into essential pillars of teaching success:
- Smart strategies to meet the needs of every student without adding extra stress to your plate.
- Honest conversations and tips to tackle teacher burnout and find a balance between school and home life.
- Science-backed practices that actually work—saving you time and boosting student results.
- Practical tips to streamline your planning and free up time for what matters most.
This is your space to find encouragement, expert insights, and actionable ideas to create a classroom (and life) that works for you. Let’s get started!
The Science of Reading Formula
Fan Favorite- Decoding Dyslexia: Tips, Tricks, and Strategies That Work
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
Supporting students with dyslexia doesn’t have to feel overwhelming! In this episode, we’re sharing science-backed dyslexia support strategies to help struggling readers build confidence and fluency. Learn how to use multisensory instruction, structured phonics, and effective accommodations to create a dyslexia-friendly learning environment.
*Note: Since this episode first aired, The International Dyslexia Association released a new and updated version of their definition of dyslexia. You can find that definition here.
In this episode, we’ll talk about:
- What dyslexia really is (and what it isn’t).
- Why phonemic awareness and phonics are essential for dyslexic learners.
- How to use multisensory techniques to improve reading skills.
- Accommodations that help dyslexic students succeed in the classroom.
Show Links
Dyslexia Training
International Dyslexia Association's List of Accommodations & Modifications
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