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 the known”.
• Quick ways to build background knowledge during your regular block.
• How to make your reading lessons more meaningful — starting tomorrow.

Show Links

Connect with Zaretta on LinkedIn
Zaretta's Book: Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain
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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 means (and why it works).
• How to use informal assessments to drive instruction.
• A smarter way to monitor student progress weekly.
• The most common myths about dyslexia in schools.
• How to build consistency across MTSS tiers.

Show Links

Dr. Louise Spear-Swerling on LinkedIn
Dr. Spear-Swerling's book: Structured Literacy Interventions
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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.

In this episode, we'll talk about:

• Why writing instruction is a game-changer for early readers.
• How sentence construction helps build comprehension.
• What SRSD is (and why it works, even for first graders).
• Smart ways to teach writing—without a full writing block.
• What the science really says about the writing–reading connection.

Show Links

Dr. Steve Graham's Faculty Page at ASU
National Writing Project
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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!

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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 in your classroom.
• Why vocabulary supports decoding, not just comprehension.
• Practical tips for supporting multilingual learners.

Show Links

Dr. Anderson's Faculty Profile at University of Buffalo
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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 fewer “exceptions” than you’ve been told.
• How history, morphology, and silent letters actually make spelling EASIER.
• Why mistakes aren’t setbacks—they’re shortcuts to mastery.
• A simple shift that instantly boosts student spelling confidence.

Show Links

Joanne's Email Address // Books on Amazon
How to Spell Website
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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 wake-up call, part rally cry for educators who want to get it right. If you’ve ever wondered whether your reading block is working for all kids… don’t miss this one.

In this episode, we'll talk about:

• The moment Missy realized her son had been “passing” without reading.
• How balanced literacy hides real reading struggles.
• Why compliant kids are the easiest to overlook.
• What Sold a Story revealed about systemic failure.
• How teachers can shift without shame—and start making change now.

Show Links

Missy's Website // Instagram // Facebook
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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 advocate for more play in your day, this episode will leave you feeling grounded, validated, and inspired to make small changes that matter.

In this episode, we'll talk about:

• What the research really says about play-based learning.
• Why risky play (yes, even stick sword fights!) builds essential life skills.
• What happens when children don’t get enough time to play.
• Practical ways to bring meaningful play back into your PreK–2 classroom.
• How to talk to admin about protecting playtime—using research, not guilt.

Show Links

Kristen Day's Website // Instagram // Facebook
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Still asking your students to guess word meanings from context? It’s time for a change. In this episode, Natalie Wexler breaks down the science of how vocabulary really works—and why it’s the key to unlocking reading comprehension.

You’ll learn how to move beyond surface-level word lists and start building deep, long-term word knowledge using techniques grounded in cognitive science.

In this episode, we'll talk about:

• Why context clues often lead students away from true understanding.
• How long-term memory supports comprehension—and how to build it.
• The three-step process for helping students retain and apply new words.
• How to use writing and oral language to deepen vocabulary.
• Ways to integrate vocabulary across subjects—even in math and science.

Show Links

Natalie Wexler's Website / Book / LinkedIn
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!