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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!
Episodes
102 episodes
The Tier 2 Formula You've Been Missing with Linsey Jones
What if Tier 2 didn’t feel like a last-ditch effort—but your most powerful tool for early reading success? In this episode, I sit down with Linsey, a school-based SLP who built a Tier 2 intervention program that’s catching struggling readers
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Season 2
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Episode 44
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29:16
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What to Do When Kids Can Read but Don't Understand with Dr. Tim Shanahan
You know the type—students who can read every word but still have no idea what they just read. In this episode, literacy expert Dr. Tim Shanahan breaks down why this happens and what you can do about it. Get ready for myth-busting mome...
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Season 2
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Episode 43
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35:42
Why Does "Two" Have a Silent W? (And Other Phonestheme Tricks You'll Love Teaching)
Have you ever wondered why there is a silent W in the word two? In this episode, we explore a surprisingly powerful concept that helps students unlock word meaning just by noticing how a word is spelled. It is called a phonestheme, and once you...
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Season 2
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Episode 42
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7:18
A Simpler Way to Teach Multisyllabic Words with Devin Kerns
Teaching students how to read longer words shouldn’t feel like a lesson in rule-breaker management. In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Devin Kearns, a leading researcher in early literacy, who shares a simpler, more flexible way to teach multis...
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Season 2
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Episode 41
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47:57
How to Teach Phonological Awareness Through Play with Beck Goodman
Can kids really build phonological awareness by pretending to sell you a $1 million cup of ice cream? According to literacy expert Beck Goodman… yes! In this episode, we’re unpacking how to teach phonological awareness through play—with fun, si...
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Season 2
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Episode 40
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31:47
Turn Your Living Room Into a Thriving Preschool with Joy Anderson
Burned out by the system but still love teaching? You don’t have to choose between your passion and your peace. In this episode, you’ll hear how Joy Anderson went from stay-at-home mom with no income to thriving preschool founder—and how you ca...
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Season 2
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Episode 39
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29:37
How to Know if Your Reading Instruction is Actually Working
How do you really know if what you’re teaching in reading is actually helping kids grow?If you’ve ever finished a lesson wondering, “Is this even working?” — this episode is for you. We're diving into how to use student data to ...
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Season 2
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Episode 38
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13:12
What to Say to Parents After a Dyslexia Diagnosis with Rebecca Bush
When a family receives a new dyslexia diagnosis, emotions run high—and teachers are often the first person they turn to for answers. But what should you say? In this episode, dyslexia therapist Rebecca Bush gives teachers practical gui...
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Season 2
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Episode 37
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22:32
What if Irregular Words Aren't Irregular? Introducing Structured Word Inquiry for Elementary Teachers with Peter Bowers
What if the word “does” isn’t irregular at all?Most teachers were taught to memorize tricky words like does, there, or really—but today’s guest says that’s exactly the problem. In this episode, Dr. Peter Bowers introduc...
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Season 2
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Episode 36
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48:43
The Hidden Skill Struggling Readers Need but Aren't Getting with Dr. David Kilpatrick
Why do some students decode perfectly but never seem to retain the words? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. David Kilpatrick to uncover the most misunderstood skill in reading instruction—and why phonics alone isn’t enough.In this...
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Season 2
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Episode 35
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50:02
How One Man Discovered He Was Dyslexic in Prison and Transformed His Life Through Reading with Ameer Baraka
He was called stupid. Beaten for not being able to read. And it wasn’t until prison that Ameer Baraka learned the truth—he was dyslexic.In this gripping episode, Ameer shares how a compassionate teacher, a late diagnosis, and sheer deter...
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Season 2
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Episode 34
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27:23
"I Couldn't Keep Reteaching... so I Tried Something Different" with Rose Crystal
What if your students could finally retain what you teach—and you could stop second-guessing every phonics lesson?In this episode, veteran first grade teacher Rose shares how she went from overwhelmed and unsure… to confident an...
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Season 2
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Episode 33
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17:20
How to Convince Your Admin to Support the Science of Reading
You know the science of reading works—you’ve seen the difference in your classroom. But what happens when your administrator isn’t on board, or doesn’t fully understand why this shift matters?In this episode, we’ll walk through how to ha...
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Season 2
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Episode 32
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8:27
Fan Favorite- The Best Order to Teach Phonics Skills
Teaching phonics can feel overwhelming, but having a clear, step-by-step sequence makes all the difference! In this episode, we’ll break down the best order to teach phonics skills, so your students build strong reading foundations with confide...
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Season 2
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Episode 31
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15:15
Fan Favorite- The Ultimate Reading Recipe
Struggling readers aren’t a mystery—there’s a clear formula for reading success! In this episode, we’re breaking down the Simple View of Reading—a powerful, research-backed framework that explains how decoding and comprehension work together to...
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Season 2
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Episode 30
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24:02
Fan Favorite- Decoding Dyslexia: Tips, Tricks, and Strategies That Work
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, s...
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Season 2
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Episode 29
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16:25
Fan Favorite- Stop Drilling Sight Word Flashcards! (Do This Instead)
Are your students still struggling with sight words even after hours of drilling flashcards? You're not alone—and there’s a better way. In this episode, we're diving into research-backed strategies that actually help K-2 students retain
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Season 2
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Episode 28
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9:39
Fan Favorite: Help! My Students Can't Blend Letter Sounds to Read Words
Struggling to help your students blend letter sounds into words? You’re not alone! Many early readers know their letter sounds but face challenges when it comes to smoothly blending them into recognizable words. The good news? Blending is a ski...
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Season 2
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Episode 27
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15:45
Is AI Developmentally Appropriate for Pre K to 2nd Grade with Vicki Davis
Is AI really safe—or even useful—for our youngest learners? In this episode, veteran educator Vicki Davis unpacks what developmentally appropriate AI use looks like in PreK–2 classrooms. You’ll hear practical ways to integrate technolo...
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Season 2
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Episode 26
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42:45
The Truth About the Top 5 Literacy Curriculums
Not all literacy programs are created equal—and some of the most popular ones may actually be holding your students back.In this episode, we’re uncovering the truth about the top 5 literacy curriculums used in schools today. You’ll learn...
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Season 2
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Episode 25
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8:01
Dyslexia Myths Debunked: What Every Teacher Needs to Know with Melanie Brethour
So many of us grew up believing myths about dyslexia—like thinking it meant kids saw letters backwards, or that they would eventually “catch up” if we just gave them time. But those myths don’t just confuse teachers… they keep students from get...
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Season 2
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Episode 24
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33:02
What to Say When Parents Tell You "I Didn't Learn to Read Like This"
What do you say when a parent questions your reading instruction with, “This isn’t how I learned to read”? In this episode, we’re giving you clear, confident responses that help build trust and explain the science of reading—without getting los...
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Season 2
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Episode 23
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7:58
Skip the Worksheets! Here's How to Really Teach Handwriting with Kelli Fetter
Teaching handwriting in early grades can feel frustrating—especially when kids struggle to form letters, and the pressure to move fast is real. In this episode, Malia chats with pediatric occupational therapist Kelli Fetter to uncover what actu...
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Season 2
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Episode 22
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38:10
The Phonics Staircase: What It Is and How to Use It
Struggling to figure out what phonics skill to teach next? What if there was a simple, visual roadmap that showed you exactly where your students are—and where they need to go? In this episode, we're breaking down The Phonics Staircase...
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Season 2
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Episode 20
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18:50
What the Most Impactful Teachers Do Differently with Rebecca Knighton
What if the key to student success isn’t just in your curriculum—but in how you see your students? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Rebecca Knighton, author of Flip the Script: Breaking Down Barriers, Building Relationships, a...
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34:44