The Science of Reading Formula

Do assessments feel like one more thing on your plate—with no clear payoff? In this episode, Dr. Jan Hasbrouck shares how to make assessments actually work for you by connecting them directly to instruction.
You’ll learn how to simplify your assessment process, use quick data checks to guide small group decisions, and stop wasting time on scores that don’t drive results.
In this episode, we'll talk about:
Why more assessments aren’t the answer—and what actually is
How to match assessments to the skills you’re teaching
Quick, informal checks that help guide daily instruction
How to group students based on skill needs—not reading levels
The mindset shift that makes assessment feel empowering, not exhausting
Show Links
Jan's Website
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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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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!

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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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 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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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 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
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!