The Science of Reading Formula

Jaksot

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  My Child Couldn't Read and No One Noticed with Missy Purcell 14.09.2026 50min

  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 w...
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  The Surprising Science Behind Play-Based Learning with Kristen Day 07.09.2026 35min

  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 advo...
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  Stop Teaching Vocabulary the Wrong Way - Try This Instead with Natalie Wexler 31.08.2026 33min

  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...
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  Why Kids Act Out and What Their Nervous System is Trying to Tell You with Kim Barthel 24.08.2026 45min

  Why do some kids act out, melt down, or shut down—no matter how consistent or calm we are? In this powerful episode, I’m joined by internationally respected occupational therapist Kim Barthel, who helps us unpack the neuroscience of behavior. We talk about how trauma affects student behavior, what’s really happening when kids dysregulate, and why traditional behavior plans often miss the mark for the kids who need our help the most. If you’ve ever felt helpless in the face of a child’s big em...
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  The Surprising Way Your Voice Can Calm a Dysregulated Classroom with Tracy Goodwin 17.08.2026 43min

  What if your voice was the key to calming chaos in your classroom? In this episode, voice expert Tracy Goodwin shares how tone, pace, and presence can either soothe or activate a child’s nervous system—especially those who are dysregulated. You’ll learn simple shifts you can make to use your voice as a powerful tool for connection, co-regulation, and classroom calm. In this episode, we'll talk about: How your voice impacts student behavior and emotional safety.The science behind tone, cadence...
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  "I Couldn't Keep Reteaching... so I Tried Something Different" with Rose Crystal 10.08.2026 17min

  What if your students could finally retain what you teach—and you could stop second-guessing every phonics lesson? In this episode, veteran first grade teacher Rose shares how she went from overwhelmed and unsure… to confident and clear—thanks to her first step inside The Science of Reading Formula: our four-week bootcamp called The Reading Roadmap. If you’re tired of piecing together your reading instruction, this conversation is the encouragement and direction you’ve been looking for. In th...
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  How School Leaders Quietly Shape (or Sabotage) Reading Success with Dr. Terrie Noland 03.08.2026 45min

  What if leadership is the reason your reading scores aren’t moving? You’ve trained your teachers. You’ve rolled out new curriculum. But something still isn’t working. In this episode, Terrie Noland reveals how leadership—yes, even well-meaning leadership—can quietly block or boost reading success. It’s not about blame. It’s about getting real. In this episode, we'll talk about: Why literacy leadership is the missing link in most schools.The difference between knowledge, wisdom, and curiosity....
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  Is Your Curriculum Aligned with the Science of Reading? with Kari Kurto 27.07.2026 31min

  You’re told to teach with fidelity—but what if the curriculum itself isn’t aligned with the science of reading? In this episode, Kari Kurto from The Reading League breaks down how to evaluate your materials, spot red flags, and use the Curriculum Navigation Reports and Compass tools to make better instructional decisions—without starting from scratch. In this episode, we'll talk about: How to tell if a curriculum is really SoR aligned.The top red flags to watch for in your materials.Why “fide...
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  Behavior Management Strategies That Save Your Sanity with Allie Szczecinski 18.05.2026 34min

  Ever feel like one more behavior outburst might push you over the edge? You’re not alone. In this episode, we’re breaking down practical, real-life strategies that help K–2 teachers handle challenging behaviors without shame, power struggles, or burnout. If behavior’s been the hardest part of your day—you’re going to feel seen and supported here. In this episode, we'll talk about: Why behavior feels harder than ever—and what’s really going on.Simple tools that help kids express needs before t...
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  You Can't Teach Every Vocabulary Word, So Teach This Instead with Dr. Trina Spencer 11.05.2026 1t 12min

  Teaching kids to decode words is essential, but what happens when they can read the words and still don’t understand what they’re reading? In this episode, we dive deep into the often overlooked role of academic language in reading comprehension. Language expert Trina Spencer joins us to explain why strong language skills are the true foundation of literacy and what teachers can start doing right away to help students build them. If you’ve ever had students who read fluently but struggle to m...
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  Literacy is a Human Right with Dr. Tanji Reed Marshall 04.05.2026 41min

  What if reading isn’t just a skill we teach—but a right we protect? In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Tanji Reed Marshall, a powerful voice in education who invites us to rethink what it really means to teach every child how to read. We go beyond the buzzwords and into the heart of why literacy matters—not just for achievement, but for identity, dignity, and opportunity. This conversation will challenge you (in the best way), ground you in purpose, and give you the language to advocate for r...
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  What No One Tells PreK-2 Teachers About Teaching Writing... Until Now with Joan Sedita 27.04.2026 47min

  You’ve heard all about the science of reading—but what about the science of writing? Most K–2 teachers are handed phonics programs with zero guidance on how to actually teach writing. That changes today. In this episode, Joan Sedita pulls back the curtain on what your teacher prep program never taught you. She introduces her powerful Writing Rope framework, shares why oral language matters more than perfect spelling in the early years, and gives you permission to start where your students are...
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  7 Mighty Moves That Transform Reading Instruction with Lindsay Kemeny 20.04.2026 32min

  What happens when a veteran teacher discovers that her reading instruction isn’t working—not even for her own son? In this episode, Lindsay Kemeny, author of 7 Mighty Moves, shares the pivotal moment that changed everything and walks us through the practical shifts she made to align her classroom with the science of reading. In this episode, we'll talk about: The 7 Mighty Moves and how to apply them without a complete overhaul.Why decodable texts are helpful—but not forever.How to design a re...
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  She Built an MTSS System That Actually Works—Here's How with Joan Schumann 13.04.2026 42min

  What if your MTSS system actually worked—and didn’t leave teachers or students overwhelmed? In this episode, Dr. Joan Schumann shares the exact strategies she used to build a Multi-Tiered System of Support that’s practical, sustainable, and truly effective. Whether you're a classroom teacher, coach, or school leader, this conversation will help you rethink how you use data, strengthen Tier 1, and support interventionists—without burning everyone out. In this episode, we'll talk about: The #1 ...
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  Why Students Can Sound Out Words but Not Read Them with Beth Gaskill 06.04.2026 31min

  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.Simp...
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  The Tier 2 Formula You've Been Missing with Linsey Jones 30.03.2026 32min

  What if Tier 2 didn’t feel like a last-ditch effort—but your most powerful tool for early reading success? In this episode, I sit down with Linsey, a school-based SLP who built a Tier 2 intervention program that’s catching struggling readers before they fall behind. Short, targeted, and backed by real results—you’re going to want to hear how she’s doing it. In this episode, we'll talk about: What makes most Tier 2 interventions ineffective—and how to fix it.A simple framework for high-impact ...
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  What to Do When Kids Can Read but Don't Understand with Dr. Tim Shanahan 23.03.2026 38min

  You know the type—students who can read every word but still have no idea what they just read. In this episode, literacy expert Dr. Tim Shanahan breaks down why this happens and what you can do about it. Get ready for myth-busting moments and practical tools you can use in your classroom tomorrow. In this episode, we'll talk about: Why kids who read fluently may still struggle to comprehend.The myth of “just right” texts—and what to do instead.How vocabulary, background knowledge, and morphol...
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  Why Does "Two" Have a Silent W? (And Other Phonestheme Tricks You'll Love Teaching) 16.03.2026 8min

  Have you ever wondered why there is a silent W in the word two? In this episode, we explore a surprisingly powerful concept that helps students unlock word meaning just by noticing how a word is spelled. It is called a phonestheme, and once you understand it, you will start seeing these hidden clues everywhere. We look at how sound clusters like TW, GL, and SN give hints about a word’s meaning and how this awareness helps students become more confident readers. You will also learn how to intr...
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  A Simpler Way to Teach Multisyllabic Words with Devin Kerns 09.03.2026 50min

  Teaching students how to read longer words shouldn’t feel like a lesson in rule-breaker management. In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Devin Kearns, a leading researcher in early literacy, who shares a simpler, more flexible way to teach multisyllabic word reading—without relying on confusing syllable rules that don’t always work. If you’ve ever watched your students freeze at the sight of a longer word, this conversation is going to change the way you teach. In this episode, we'll talk about...
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  How to Teach Phonological Awareness Through Play with Beck Goodman 02.03.2026 34min

  Can kids really build phonological awareness by pretending to sell you a $1 million cup of ice cream? According to literacy expert Beck Goodman… yes! In this episode, we’re unpacking how to teach phonological awareness through play—with fun, simple strategies that actually work. In this episode, we'll talk about: The spectrum of play-based learning—and where structured lessons fit in.Easy phonological awareness games using sensory bins, storytelling, and locks!What to do when your kids get wi...