The Science of Reading Formula

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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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
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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 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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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!

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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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!