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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:

What to Do When Kids Can Read but Don't Understand with Dr. Tim Shanahan Mar 23, 2026

Show notes

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 moments and practical tools you can use in your classroom tomorrow.

In this episode, we'll talk about:

Why kids who read fluently may still struggle to comprehend.
The myth of “just right” texts—and what to do instead.
How vocabulary, background knowledge, and morphology support comprehension.
Sentence-by-sentence questioning that rewires student focus.
Writing and read-aloud strategies that strengthen understanding.

Show Links

Shanahan on Literacy Blog
"Leveled Reading, Leveled Lives" by Dr. Tim Shanahan
Join 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!

Why Does "Two" Have a Silent W? (And Other Phonestheme Tricks You'll Love Teaching) Mar 16, 2026

Show notes

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 understand it, you will start seeing these hidden clues everywhere.

We look at how sound clusters like TW, GL, and SN give hints about a word’s meaning and how this awareness helps students become more confident readers. You will also learn how to introduce these ideas in your classroom in a simple and meaningful way without needing a special curriculum or extra prep.

This episode connects spelling, meaning, and morphology in a way that is fun, easy to apply, and deeply engaging for young learners.

In this episode, we'll talk about:

How the word "two" evolved and what its spelling reveals.
What phonesthemes are and how they work across many English words.
Why this awareness supports vocabulary growth and decoding.
How to introduce these concepts in early elementary classrooms using natural conversations.

Show Links

Phonesthemes Chart
Join 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!

A Simpler Way to Teach Multisyllabic Words with Devin Kerns Mar 09, 2026

Show notes

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 multisyllabic word reading—without relying on confusing syllable rules that don’t always work. If you’ve ever watched your students freeze at the sight of a longer word, this conversation is going to change the way you teach.

In this episode, we'll talk about:

Why traditional syllable division rules fall apart in real classrooms.
Two simple principles to make decoding multisyllabic words easier.
A step-by-step strategy that helps students self-correct when decoding.
How to help students feel confident—even when their first try isn’t perfect.
Why it’s okay to let go of perfection and focus on flexibility.

Show Links

Devin Kearns Website / Phinder
How Many Syllables?
Differentiation Podcast Episode
Join 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!

How to Teach Phonological Awareness Through Play with Beck Goodman Mar 02, 2026

Show notes

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, simple strategies that actually work.

In this episode, we'll talk about:

The spectrum of play-based learning—and where structured lessons fit in.
Easy phonological awareness games using sensory bins, storytelling, and locks!
What to do when your kids get wiggly, distracted, or “misbehave.”
How to partner with families to build early literacy skills at home.
Why modeling sounds (even silly ones) is your most powerful teaching tool.

Show Links

Beck Goodman Website / Instagram / TikTok
Willoughby Wallaby Woo
Join 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!

Turn Your Living Room Into a Thriving Preschool with Joy Anderson Feb 23, 2026

Show notes

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 can turn your own living room into a flexible, fulfilling preschool too.

In this episode, we'll talk about:

The moment Joy realized she had to create a new future for her kids—and herself.
How she launched her first preschool using just her living room and kitchen table.
Why so many teachers are trading the classroom for something better.
The exact first steps to take if you want to start your own preschool.
How to overcome fear and finally take action on the dream tugging at your heart.

Show Links

"Start Your Preschool" by Joy Anderson
Join 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!

How to Know if Your Reading Instruction is Actually Working Feb 16, 2026

Show notes

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 take the guesswork out of reading instruction and make sure every moment you teach counts.

In this episode, we'll talk about:

The 3 types of assessments that show you what’s working (and what’s not).
How to use student data to plan smarter, faster reading lessons.
Why guessing is the #1 time-waster in reading instruction.
How to group students without 25 different lesson plans.
What to do when your curriculum isn’t delivering results.

Show Links

Assessment Pack
Progress Monitoring Tool
Join 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!

What to Say to Parents After a Dyslexia Diagnosis with Rebecca Bush Feb 09, 2026

Show notes

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 guidance on how to talk to families with clarity, empathy, and confidence.

In this episode, we'll talk about:

What to say (and what not to say) after a dyslexia diagnosis.
How to support families emotionally and practically.
The role of the teacher in early intervention and next steps.
How to build trust even without formal dyslexia training.
Free resources and organizations every teacher should know.

Show Links

Rebecca Bush Website / Instagram / LinkedIn
"Dyslexia and Your Newly Diagnosed Child" by Rebecca Bush
International Dyslexia Association
Decoding Dyslexia
Neuhaus Training
Wilson Training
ALTA Academic Language Therapy Association
Take Flight Dyslexia Training

Join 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!

What if Irregular Words Aren't Irregular? Introducing Structured Word Inquiry for Elementary Teachers with Peter Bowers Feb 02, 2026

Show notes

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 introduces us to Structured Word Inquiry (SWI)—a powerful, meaning-based approach to spelling that helps students (and teachers!) understand how English truly works.

If you've ever wondered why certain words are spelled the way they are—or struggled to explain them to students—this episode will blow your mind in the best way.

In this episode, we'll talk about:

Why “irregular” words like does and really actually follow logic.
How to teach irregular words with meaning, not memorization.
What Structured Word Inquiry looks like in real K-2 classrooms.
How this approach supports dyslexic learners—and every learner.
The #1 shift that helps students become curious, confident spellers.

Show Links

Peter's Website
Beneath the Surface of Words by Sue Hegland
Marie Foley's Website
Spelling Toolbox
Join 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!

The Hidden Skill Struggling Readers Need but Aren't Getting with Dr. David Kilpatrick Jan 26, 2026

Show notes

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 episode, we'll talk about:

The hidden skill struggling readers must master to build fluency.
Why phonemic awareness can’t be replaced by phonics.
The difference between decoding and remembering words.
What orthographic mapping really is—and how to strengthen it.
How to avoid the biggest myths circulating on social media.

Show Links

Equipped for Reading Success by David Kilpatrick
Essentials for Assessing, Preventing, and Overcoming Reading Difficulties by David Kilpatrick
Join 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!

How One Man Discovered He Was Dyslexic in Prison and Transformed His Life Through Reading with Ameer Baraka Jan 19, 2026

Show notes

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 determination transformed his life—from a struggling student to a scriptwriter for Tyler Perry.

If you teach reading, this is the kind of story that will stay with you.

In this episode, we'll talk about:

How undiagnosed dyslexia shaped Ameer’s childhood and led to early trauma.
The emotional toll of being misunderstood in school.
What prison taught him about reading—and about himself.
The life-changing power of one teacher’s belief.
Why he now tells every dyslexic child: You are a winner—if you choose to be.

Show Links

Find Ameer on Instagram / LinkedIn
Undiagnosed: The Ugly Side of Dyslexia by Ameer Baraka
Join 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!

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