The Science of Reading Formula

Author: Malia Hollowell

Welcome to The Science of Reading Formula, the podcast that helps you simplify reading instruction, save time, and support every students successwithout feeling like youre running on empty.Im Malia Hollowella National Board Certified Teacher, author, and founder of Playdough to Plato. Over the past 20 years, Ive 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 worksaving 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. Lets get started!
Be a guest on this podcast

Language: en-us

Genres: Courses, Education, How To

Contact email: Get it

Feed URL: Get it

iTunes ID: Get it

Get all podcast data

Listen Now...

Why Students Can Sound Out Words but Not Read Them with Beth Gaskill
Episode 45
Monday, 6 April, 2026

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 awareness and fluent reading, and why simple, consistent, multisensory routines can make all the difference.In this episode, we'll talk about:Why some kids can sound out words but still can’t blend.The role of working memory in decoding struggles.Simple multisensory activities (like socks, beans, and chairs!)What to try before reaching for letter tiles.How to support students who freeze when it’s time to blend.Show LinksBig City Readers Website // Instagram // PodcastJoin Malia on Instagram.Become a Science of Reading Formula member!Rate, Review, and FollowIf 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!