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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
What No One Tells PreK-2 Teachers About Teaching Writing... Until Now with Joan Sedita
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You’ve heard all about the science of reading—but what about the science of writing? Most K–2 teachers are handed phonics programs with zero guidance on how to actually teach writing. That changes today.
In this episode, Joan Sedita pulls back the curtain on what your teacher prep program never taught you. She introduces her powerful Writing Rope framework, shares why oral language matters more than perfect spelling in the early years, and gives you permission to start where your students are—scribbles, drawings, and all.
Whether you're teaching kinders who can’t write a sentence or second graders stuck in short, choppy responses, this episode will transform how you think about writing instruction.
In this episode, we'll talk about:
- The 5 strands of writing all K–2 teachers should be weaving into their day.
- Why “just wait until they can write” is the wrong advice for early learners.
- Easy ways to turn drawing and talking into real writing progress.
- How to make writing a daily routine—even in 15 minutes or less.
Show Links
Keys to Literacy
Joan Sedita's Books on Amazon
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