Teaching handwriting in early grades can feel frustrating—especially when kids struggle to form letters, and the pressure to move fast is real. In this episode, Malia chats with pediatric occupational therapist Kelli Fetter to uncover what actually works. From Play-Doh to pencil grips, you’ll walk away with brain-based strategies that make handwriting instruction developmentally appropriate and fun.

In this episode, we'll talk about:

• Why handwriting still matters—even in a digital age.
• The best age to introduce cursive (and why it’s making a comeback).
• Easy play-based activities to build fine motor skills.
• What dysgraphia really looks like—and how to support students with it.
• Tools and tips to make handwriting instruction effective and inclusive.

Show Links

Kelli's Website / Instagram / Email
Multisensory Activities
Developmental Teaching Order
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Struggling to figure out what phonics skill to teach next? What if there was a simple, visual roadmap that showed you exactly where your students are—and where they need to go? In this episode, we're breaking down The Phonics Staircase, a powerful, step-by-step framework that will change how you think about phonics instruction forever.

In this episode, we'll talk about:

• The exact order to teach phonics skills—without skipping critical steps.
• Why starting with just 8 letters can unlock hundreds of decodable words.
• What the “phonics staircase” is and how it helps struggling readers make progress fast.
• The truth about that “When two vowels go walking…” poem (and what to do instead).
• How to avoid common teaching missteps that hold your students back.

Show Links

FREE Phonics Scope & Sequence
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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! Follow right here.

What if the key to student success isn’t just in your curriculum—but in how you see your students? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Rebecca Knighton, author of Flip the Script: Breaking Down Barriers, Building Relationships, and Engaging Secondary Students to explore how the most impactful teachers build deep connections with students who are often the hardest to reach. If you’ve ever felt stuck or discouraged by student behavior, this conversation will leave you inspired, reflective, and recharged.

In this episode, we'll talk about:

• What “positive deviant” teachers do differently—and why it works.
• How to build trust with students who’ve learned not to trust adults.
• The role of self-reflection in teacher growth and student connection.
• Why seeing students as humans (not problems) transforms everything.
• A simple shift to help you reconnect with your teaching purpose—starting tomorrow.

Show Links

Rebecca's LinkedIn
Flip the Script: Breaking Down Barriers, Building Relationships, and Engaging Secondary Students
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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! Follow right here.