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The Science of Reading Formula — Education
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!

Copyright: © 2024 Playdough to Plato, LLC

Latest Episodes:

From Overwhelmed to Thriving: A New York Teacher's Success Story Aug 06, 2024

Show notes

I'm excited to introduce you to Lindsay, a first grade teacher in New York who wasn't getting the results she knew she could be. But then she made a choice that turned it all around. Get ready to be inspired by her goosebump worthy transformation!

Show links:

Take 15% off your Science of Reading Formula enrollment with code POD15
But hurry! Doors close this Sunday, August 11th.

Rate, Review, and Follow

If you loved this episode, please take a minute to rate and review my show! That helps the podcast world know that this show is worth sharing with other educators just like you.

Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review". Then let me know what you loved most about the episode!

While you're there, be sure to follow the podcast. I'm adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and I don't want you to miss out! Follow right here.

Top 5 Reasons Why Reading Lessons Fail (Plus How to Fix Them!) Aug 05, 2024

Show notes

Are your reading lessons falling short? Many common teaching strategies don’t align with how students actually learn to read. In this episode, we’ll break down why reading lessons fail and how to fix them using science-backed methods that improve student outcomes.

In this episode, we’ll cover:

The biggest reading instruction mistakes teachers make
Why phonemic awareness and structured phonics are crucial
How to create engaging, differentiated reading groups
The key to avoiding outdated, ineffective strategies

Tune in now and start transforming your reading lessons today!

Show links:

Rate, Review, and Follow

If you loved this episode, please take a minute to rate and review my show! That helps the podcast world know that this show is worth sharing with other educators just like you.

Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review". Then let me know what you loved most about the episode!

While you're there, be sure to follow the podcast. I'm adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and I don't want you to miss out! Follow right here.

The Easiest, Fastest Path to Massive Reading Growth Aug 03, 2024

Show notes

Want to see massive reading progress in your students—without years of trial and error? In this episode, we break down the easiest way to boost reading growth using science-backed, brain-friendly strategies that accelerate literacy skills.

In this episode, we’ll cover:

Why so many students struggle with reading
The two key pillars of reading success
How structured phonics and decodable texts make a huge impact
Why phonemic awareness and vocabulary are crucial for comprehension

Tune in now and learn how to help your students read with confidence—faster and easier than ever!

Show links:

Become a Science of Reading Formula member!
Episode #1: The Ultimate Reading Recipe
Episode #2: How to Build Students' Rock Solid Foundation
Episode #3: The Best Order to Teach Phonics
Episode #4: Help Students Memorize Words on Auto Pilot
Episode #5: Comprehension Made Simple

Rate, Review, and Follow

If you loved this episode, please take a minute to rate and review my show! That helps the podcast world know that this show is worth sharing with other educators just like you.

Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review". Then let me know what you loved most about the episode!

While you're there, be sure to follow the podcast. I'm adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and I don't want you to miss out! Follow right here.

New to the Science of Reading? Do These 5 Things First Jul 29, 2024

Show notes

New to the Science of Reading? Making the shift can feel overwhelming, but starting with a few key steps will set you and your students up for success. In this episode, we’ll break down the five essential steps to help you begin using structured literacy practices with confidence.

In this episode, we’ll cover:

Why phonological awareness is the foundation of reading success
How to implement systematic phonics instruction every day
The benefits of decodable texts over leveled readers
A simple method to replace sight word memorization with sound mapping
How sorting sight words by phonics rules improves retention

Tune in now to start your Science of Reading journey with confidence!

Show links:

Follow Malia on Instagram.
Become a Science of Reading Formula member.

Rate, Review, and Follow

If you loved this episode, please take a minute to rate and review my show! That helps the podcast world know that this show is worth sharing with other educators just like you.

Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review". Then let me know what you loved most about the episode!

While you're there, be sure to follow the podcast. I'm adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and I don't want you to miss out! Follow right here.

The Differentiation Formula Jul 22, 2024

Show notes

Struggling to meet the diverse reading needs in your classroom? The ACED system for differentiated reading instruction simplifies lesson planning and ensures every student makes progress. Learn how to assess, group, set goals, and plan effectively without the overwhelm!

In this episode, we’ll cover:

The four simple steps of the ACED system
How to group students for targeted instruction
Setting meaningful reading goals for different skill levels
Using backward planning to streamline lesson prep

Tune in now and make differentiation easier than ever!

Show links:

Grab the free scope and sequence.
Follow Malia on Instagram.
Become a Science of Reading Formula member.

Rate, Review, and Follow

If you loved this episode, please take a minute to rate and review my show! That helps the podcast world know that this show is worth sharing with other educators just like you.

Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review". Then let me know what you loved most about the episode!

While you're there, be sure to follow the podcast. I'm adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and I don't want you to miss out! Follow right here.

Science of Reading Fact or Fiction? Jul 15, 2024

Show notes

Is the Science of Reading just another passing trend? Do teachers need to start from scratch? In this episode, we’re busting the biggest myths and revealing the facts vs. fiction behind research-backed literacy instruction.

In this episode, we’ll cover:

Why the Science of Reading is not just another fad
The truth about phonics, comprehension, and balanced instruction
What research says about how the brain learns to read
How teachers can implement these strategies without starting over

Tune in now to separate fact from fiction and make informed literacy decisions!

Show links:

Follow Malia on Instagram.
Become a Science of Reading Formula member.

Rate, Review, and Follow

If you loved this episode, please take a minute to rate and review my show! That helps the podcast world know that this show is worth sharing with other educators just like you.

Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review". Then let me know what you loved most about the episode!

While you're there, be sure to follow the podcast. I'm adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and I don't want you to miss out! Follow right here.

Reading Comprehension Made Simple Jul 08, 2024

Show notes

Can your students read fluently but struggle to understand what they read? In this episode, we’re diving into science-backed ways to boost reading comprehension so young learners can build meaning, not just decode words.

In this episode, we’ll cover:

The five key skills that drive reading comprehension
How vocabulary and background knowledge shape understanding
Simple, engaging strategies to help students think beyond the text
The power of interactive read-alouds to deepen comprehension

Tune in now to transform how your students understand and engage with reading!

Show links:

Grab the free question sheet here.
Follow Malia on Instagram.
Become a Science of Reading Formula member.

Rate, Review, and Follow

If you loved this episode, please take a minute to rate and review my show! That helps the podcast world know that this show is worth sharing with other educators just like you.

Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review". Then let me know what you loved most about the episode!

While you're there, be sure to follow the podcast. I'm adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and I don't want you to miss out! Follow right here.

Help Students Memorize New Words on Auto Pilot Jul 01, 2024

Show notes

Teaching sight words doesn’t have to be a struggle! In this episode, we’re diving into science-backed strategies that help students recognize and remember words effortlessly.

In this episode, we’ll talk about:

Why traditional sight word drills don’t work.
How sound mapping builds stronger word recognition.
The importance of sorting words by phonics rules.
Hands-on, multisensory ways to teach sight words.
Fun games that make learning sight words engaging.

Tune in for simple, effective strategies to transform your sight word instruction!

Show links:

Grab the free sound map here.
Purchase our mega pack of hands-on sound maps on TPT.
Follow Malia on Instagram.
Become a Science of Reading Formula member.

Rate, review, and follow:

If you loved this episode, please take a minute to rate and review my show! That helps the podcast world know that this show is worth sharing with other educators just like you.

Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review". Then let me know what you loved most about the episode!

And while you're there, be sure to follow the podcast. I'm adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and I don't want you to miss out!

The Best Order to Teach Phonics Skills Jun 25, 2024

Show notes

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 confidence. Whether you're a seasoned educator or new to the Science of Reading, this progression will help you support every learner at their own pace.

In this episode, we’ll talk about:
✔️ The first phonics skills students need to master
✔️ How to move students up the “phonics ladder” step by step
✔️ The importance of word families, digraphs, blends, and more
✔️ Practical strategies for teaching each skill effectively

By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clear roadmap to guide your students toward phonics success!

Show links:

Grab the free cheatsheet here.
Get our complete set of step-by-step phonics lessons.
Follow Malia on Instagram.
Become a Science of Reading Formula member.

Rate, review, and follow:

If you loved this episode, please take a minute to rate and review my show! That helps the podcast world know that this show is worth sharing with other educators just like you.

Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review". Then let me know what you loved most about the episode!

And while you're there, be sure to follow the podcast. I'm adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and I don't want you to miss out!

Building a Strong Reading Foundation in Kindergarten Jun 25, 2024

Show notes

Struggling to help your kindergarteners blend sounds into words? In this episode, we’re diving into phonological and phonemic awareness—the essential skills young learners need for reading success. You’ll walk away with practical, fun strategies to build a rock-solid reading foundation from day one.

In this episode, we’ll talk about:

The difference between phonological and phonemic awareness
Why phonemic awareness is the #1 predictor of reading success
Simple, engaging activities to help students blend, segment, and manipulate sounds
How to make reading instruction more brain-friendly and effective

Tune in now and start strengthening your students' reading foundation!

Show links:

Grab a YEAR of 5-minute phonological awareness warm ups!
Follow Malia on Instagram.
Become a Science of Reading Formula member.

Rate, review, and follow:

If you loved this episode, please take a minute to rate and review my show! That helps the podcast world know that this show is worth sharing with other educators just like you.

Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review". Then let me know what you loved most about the episode!

And while you're there, be sure to follow the podcast. I'm adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and I don't want you to miss out!

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