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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
109 episodes
Behavior Management Strategies That Save Your Sanity with Allie Szczecinski
Ever feel like one more behavior outburst might push you over the edge? You’re not alone. In this episode, we’re breaking down practical, real-life strategies that help K–2 teachers handle challenging behaviors without shame, power struggles, o...
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You Can't Teach Every Vocabulary Word, So Teach This Instead with Dr. Trina Spencer
Teaching kids to decode words is essential, but what happens when they can read the words and still don’t understand what they’re reading? In this episode, we dive deep into the often overlooked role of academic language in reading comprehensio...
Literacy is a Human Right with Dr. Tanji Reed Marshall
What if reading isn’t just a skill we teach—but a right we protect?In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Tanji Reed Marshall, a powerful voice in education who invites us to rethink what it really means to teach every child how to read. We ...
What No One Tells PreK-2 Teachers About Teaching Writing... Until Now with Joan Sedita
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 Sed...
7 Mighty Moves That Transform Reading Instruction with Lindsay Kemeny
What happens when a veteran teacher discovers that her reading instruction isn’t working—not even for her own son?In this episode, Lindsay Kemeny, author of 7 Mighty Moves, shares the pivotal moment that changed everythin...
She Built an MTSS System That Actually Works—Here's How with Joan Schumann
What if your MTSS system actually worked—and didn’t leave teachers or students overwhelmed?In this episode, Dr. Joan Schumann shares the exact strategies she used to build a Multi-Tiered System of Support that’s practical, sustainable, a...
Why Students Can Sound Out Words but Not Read Them with Beth Gaskill
Some students can sound out every letter in a word… but still not read it. In this episode, literacy interventionist Beth Gaskill helps us unpack why that happens and what to do about it. We’re talking about the “fuzzy middle” between phonemic ...
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
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 ...
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...
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...
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...
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...
"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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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
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...