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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 Say When Parents Tell You "I Didn't Learn to Read Like This" Nov 03, 2025

Show notes

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 lost in the research.

In this episode, we'll talk about:

What parents really mean when they say, “I didn’t learn to read like this”.
How to use a math analogy that makes phonics click for families.
Why we’ve moved away from leveled books and sight word memorization.
A simple way to talk about decodable texts (that parents actually understand).
How to keep the conversation going all year without overwhelm.

Show Links

Science of Reading Parent Handouts
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! Follow right here.

Skip the Worksheets! Here's How to Really Teach Handwriting with Kelli Fetter Oct 27, 2025

Show notes

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 actually works. From Play-Doh to pencil grips, you’ll walk away with brain-based strategies that make handwriting instruction developmentally appropriate and fun.

In this episode, we'll talk about:

Why handwriting still matters—even in a digital age.
The best age to introduce cursive (and why it’s making a comeback).
Easy play-based activities to build fine motor skills.
What dysgraphia really looks like—and how to support students with it.
Tools and tips to make handwriting instruction effective and inclusive.

Show Links

Kelli's Website / Instagram / Email
Multisensory Activities
Developmental Teaching Order
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! Follow right here.

The Phonics Staircase: What It Is and How to Use It Oct 20, 2025

Show notes

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, a powerful, step-by-step framework that will change how you think about phonics instruction forever.

In this episode, we'll talk about:

The exact order to teach phonics skills—without skipping critical steps.
Why starting with just 8 letters can unlock hundreds of decodable words.
What the “phonics staircase” is and how it helps struggling readers make progress fast.
The truth about that “When two vowels go walking…” poem (and what to do instead).
How to avoid common teaching missteps that hold your students back.

Show Links

FREE Phonics Scope & Sequence
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! Follow right here.

What the Most Impactful Teachers Do Differently with Rebecca Knighton Oct 13, 2025

Show notes

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, and Engaging Secondary Students to explore how the most impactful teachers build deep connections with students who are often the hardest to reach. If you’ve ever felt stuck or discouraged by student behavior, this conversation will leave you inspired, reflective, and recharged.

In this episode, we'll talk about:

What “positive deviant” teachers do differently—and why it works.
How to build trust with students who’ve learned not to trust adults.
The role of self-reflection in teacher growth and student connection.
Why seeing students as humans (not problems) transforms everything.
A simple shift to help you reconnect with your teaching purpose—starting tomorrow.

Show Links

Rebecca's LinkedIn / Website
Flip the Script: Breaking Down Barriers, Building Relationships, and Engaging Secondary Students
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! Follow right here.

If You're Nervous About the Science of Reading... Start Here! Oct 06, 2025

Show notes

Feeling overwhelmed by all the science of reading lingo? You’re not alone. In this episode, we’re breaking it down in a way that feels clear, relatable, and reassuring—especially if you're just getting started.

In this episode, we'll talk about:

Why it’s totally normal to feel nervous about shifting to science-based reading instruction.
The biggest myth that holds teachers back from making the switch.
How the science of reading differs from how we were taught.
What you actually need to focus on first (hint: it’s not mastering all the jargon).
Why small shifts—not perfection—can have a big impact in your classroom.

Show Links

Dive into the science of reading with The Reading Roadmap!
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! Follow right here.

How Early Literacy Prevents the School to Prison Pipeline with Hilderbrand Pelzer III Sep 29, 2025

Show notes

What if the behavior issues in your classroom weren’t about defiance—but about reading? In this powerful episode, we talk with Hildebrand Pelzer III, a former prison principal turned education advocate, about how early literacy is the key to preventing the school to prison pipeline. This is a conversation every teacher and school leader needs to hear.

In this episode, we'll talk about:

Why reading failure—not behavior—is at the root of the school to prison pipeline.
How to reframe classroom misbehavior as a cry for academic help.
The role school leaders play in supporting science-backed instruction.
Practical ways to use reading data to intervene early and effectively.
Why investing in early reading instruction is a moral and professional imperative.

Show Links

Hilderbrand Pelzer III Website / LinkedIn / Instagram
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! Follow right here.

Is the Science of Reading Just Another Early Literacy Trend? Sep 22, 2025

Show notes

Feeling whiplash from decades of shifting reading strategies? You’re not alone. In this episode, we unpack the real story behind the science of reading—and why it’s not just another trend. If you’ve been burned by balanced literacy, whole language, or three-cueing, this conversation is your turning point.

In this episode, we'll talk about:

Why the science of reading isn’t a passing fad—but a 50-year body of research.
What makes it different from past methods like whole language or balanced literacy.
How brain scans and real classroom data prove what actually works.
What veteran teachers are doing to see huge gains with less burnout.
Where to begin if you’re ready to teach smarter, not harder.

Show Links

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! Follow right here.

The Hidden Struggles of Neurodivergent Students— And What Teachers Can Do About It with Dr. Emily King Sep 15, 2025

Show notes

Get ready for an eye-opening conversation that might just change the way you see your classroom. In this episode, Dr. Emily King—student psychologist and neurodivergent expert—shares practical, shame-free strategies to help PreK–2 teachers support students struggling with executive functioning, emotional regulation, and mental health needs.

In this episode, we'll talk about:

How to tell the difference between “can’t” and “won’t” in student behavior.
Why emotional regulation must come before academic progress.
Easy, effective ways to support executive functioning in young learners.
What teachers can do to build stronger partnerships with parents.
The one change that could revolutionize general education classrooms.

Show Links

Dr. Emily's Website / Substack / LinkedIn / Instagram / Podcast
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! Follow right here.

The Top Five Things Phonics Programs Get Wrong Sep 08, 2025

Show notes

If you’ve ever followed your phonics program to the letter and still thought, “What am I missing?” — this episode is for you. The truth? Even the best programs make mistakes that leave students stuck.

We’re pulling back the curtain on the top 5 things phonics programs get wrong—and how to fix them with practical, science-backed strategies you can use right away.

In this episode, we'll talk about:

The red flag hiding in your phonics scope and sequence.
Why students aren’t gaining fluency (even if they know their letter sounds).
How to use decodable texts the right way.
The foundational skill most programs rush past.
A simple way to differentiate phonics groups—without creating 25 lesson plans.

Show Links

Decodable Texts
Phonics Lessons
Phonological Awareness Warm Ups
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!

Using MTSS to Prevent Reading Failure with Dr. Stephanie Stollar and Dr. Sarah Brown Sep 01, 2025

Show notes

MTSS often gets written off as just another intervention checklist—but what if it’s actually your strongest tool for preventing reading failure?

In this episode, I’m joined by MTSS experts Dr. Sarah Brown and Dr. Stephanie Stollar to break down what MTSS really is, clear up the biggest myths, and show you how this framework can support your Tier 1 instruction, simplify your decisions, and help more kids learn to read the first time.

In this episode, we'll talk about:

Why MTSS is a preventative framework, not just reactive intervention.
What strong Tier 1 instruction really looks like in K–2.
How to use universal screening data without getting overwhelmed.
What Tier 2 and Tier 3 support should look like (even with paraprofessionals).

Show Links

MTSS for Reading Improvement by Dr. Stollar and Dr. Brown
Free Book Resources
MTSS Data Academy
Reading Science Academy
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! Follow right here.

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