Why Good Readers Still Struggle with Spelling & How to Fix It with Joanne Rudling

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 th...

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 mean...

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. ...

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 ...

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...