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The Science of Reading Formula: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Malia Hollowell
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.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- 4 days ago38 min
Assessment Overload? Use These 3 Steps to Make It Count with Dr. Jan Hasbrouck
Do assessments feel like one more thing on your plate—with no clear payoff? In this episode, Dr. Jan Hasbrouck shares how to make assessments actually work for you by connecting them directly to instruction. You’ll learn how to simplify your assessment process, use quick data checks to guide small group decisions, and stop wasting time on scores that don’t drive results. In this episode, we'll talk about: Why more assessments aren’t the answer—and what actually isHow to match assessments to t...
- 1 weeks ago45 min
The Secret to Better Comprehension? Use What Kids Already Know with Zaretta Hammond
What if the real key to comprehension isn’t in your curriculum — but in your students’ lived experiences? Zaretta Hammond flips the script on traditional reading instruction in this episode of The Science of Reading Formula Podcast. You’ll learn how activating what kids already know can dramatically improve comprehension, engagement, and equity — no fancy program required. In this episode, we'll talk about: Why schema matters more than you think.How to help students “mix the new with th...
- 2 weeks ago46 min
Structured Literacy Strategies That Actually Help with Dr. Lousie Spear-Swerling
Helping struggling readers can feel frustrating, but it doesn’t have to be a mystery. In this episode of The Science of Reading Formula Podcast, author and expert Louise Spear-Swerling breaks down the structured literacy strategies that actually move the needle for PreK–2 students. From spotting instructional mismatches to giving more effective feedback, this episode is packed with teacher-tested, science-backed insights. In this episode, we'll talk about: What structured literacy really mean...
- 3 weeks ago46 min
Teaching Writing is Essential to Reading Success with Dr. Steve Graham
What if the secret to stronger readers isn’t more reading instruction—but better writing instruction? In this episode, literacy expert Dr. Steve Graham reveals why writing is often the missing piece in early reading success—and how you can use it to supercharge your phonics, fluency, and comprehension instruction. We’re talking research-backed strategies you can actually use in your PreK–2 classroom, even if writing always feels rushed, messy, or squeezed into the last 10 minutes of the day. ...
- Sep 28, 202646 min
Simple Moves That Supercharge Vocabulary Instruction with Blythe Anderson
What if teaching vocabulary didn’t mean adding more to your plate—but simply rethinking the words you already use? In this episode, Dr. Blythe Anderson shares simple talk moves that make a big impact. From classroom job titles to science experiments, you’ll learn how to turn everyday moments into powerful vocabulary instruction. In this episode, we'll talk about: Why word lists aren’t enough—and what actually works.8 talk moves that boost vocabulary in seconds.How to build word consciousness ...
- Sep 21, 202654 min
Why Good Readers Still Struggle with Spelling & How to Fix It with Joanne Rudling
What if everything you’ve believed about spelling is only half the story? In this episode, spelling expert Joanne Rudling reveals why even your strongest readers still misspell words like said, bottle, and shopping—and why the fix has nothing to do with more phonics worksheets. Get ready for a conversation that will change the way you teach spelling forever. In this episode, we'll talk about: The surprising reason reading and spelling don’t develop at the same pace.Why spelling rules have far...
- Sep 14, 202650 min
My Child Couldn't Read and No One Noticed with Missy Purcell
Missy Purcell was a teacher. Her son went to a “good” school. But in third grade, she realized something no one else had: he couldn’t read. In this powerful conversation, Missy shares the story that shocked her district—and later, the country—when she told it on Emily Hanford’s Sold a Story. What happens when a bright, well-behaved child falls through the cracks of a balanced literacy system? And what does it take to finally get him the instruction he deserved? This episode is part personal w...
- Sep 7, 202635 min
The Surprising Science Behind Play-Based Learning with Kristen Day
Is play just for fun—or is it doing something deeper? In this episode, I sit down with Kristen Day, founder of Butterfly Hill Nature Preschool and a fierce advocate for honoring how young children actually learn. We dig into the real science behind play-based learning—what it does for the brain, how it shapes behavior, and why removing it from early childhood classrooms may be doing more harm than we realize. Whether you're feeling pressure to “get more academic” or just need language to advo...
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About 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.
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