Beyond Buzzwords: From the Science of Reading to the Science of Learning

Why understanding how the brain works is the next step in great teaching.

Let me take you back for a moment.

When I started teaching, the term “Science of Reading” wasn’t something we ever talked about. It wasn’t mentioned in training. It wasn’t on social media. It definitely wasn’t in staff meetings.

Now? It’s everywhere. And honestly—it’s about time.

But here’s the thing…

Even with 50+ years of research to back it up, we’ve only just started scratching the surface. Because while the Science of Reading tells us how students learn to read, it doesn’t tell us everything about how students learn. Period.

That’s why I started digging deeper. And what I found? It brought everything full circle.

🧠 What Is the Science of Learning?

Simply put: The Science of Learning is the research behind how the brain processes, retains, and applies new information.

It’s not just about literacy. It stretches across every subject—math, writing, problem-solving, content areas—and impacts every decision we make as teachers.

The Science of Learning brings together insights from psychology, neuroscience, education, and linguistics to help us understand the conditions under which learning sticks.

And once you see it—you can’t unsee it in your own teaching.

📚 How It Connects to the Science of Reading

Let’s be clear: The Science of Reading is powerful. It gives us a research-backed understanding of how kids learn to decode, recognize words, and comprehend texts. According to The Reading League, it’s:

“The accumulated body of evidence from various fields of study that helps us understand what reading is, how people learn to do it, and how it is most effectively taught.”

But here’s where it stops short: Reading is only one piece of the learning puzzle.

If we want students to become lifelong learners, thinkers, and problem-solvers, we have to look at how their brains handle all types of learning.

That’s where the Science of Learning steps in—and it has some important truths we can’t ignore.

🧠 Cognitive Awareness: Teaching Kids How They Learn

One of the biggest differences the Science of Learning makes? It reminds us that students need to learn how to learn.

This is called cognitive awareness—the ability to think about their own thinking.

When students develop this skill, they can:

• Reflect on what’s working (and what’s not)

• Engage in deeper critical thinking

• Build emotional intelligence

• Take ownership of their learning

Without cognitive awareness, kids struggle to transfer learning from one situation to another. They memorize… but they don’t always understand.

And in the real world—whether they’re solving a math problem or navigating a challenge at home—thinking about thinking is what helps them adapt.

🧠 Key Principles Every Teacher Should Know

Let’s break down a few core concepts from the Science of Learning that you can  use in your classroom.

1. Working Memory & Cognitive Load

Think of working memory as a small whiteboard in your brain. You can only hold a few pieces of info at a time. If it gets overloaded? You start losing content—even the important stuff.

You’ve felt this before: ➡️ Sitting through a full-day PD and forgetting most of it by the end. ➡️ Unpacking new standards in one day and walking away overwhelmed. ➡️ Trying to teach grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing all in a single block. 🙃

Your students feel this too.

💡 Try this:

• Break your lessons into chunks

• Reduce visual and auditory distractions

• Teach one new concept at a time

• Give time to process before moving on

2. Retrieval Practice & Spaced Repetition

“If you don’t use it, you lose it.”

This principle is simple, but powerful. If we teach a skill once and never revisit it, students will forget.

💡 Try this:

• Quick review questions at the start of class

• Weekly “throwback” skills during warm-ups

• Low-stakes quizzes

• Spiral review built into centers or small groups

When I taught multiage classes, I slowed things way down. I’d take one skill—like plot—and stretch it across a whole week, breaking it down into digestible parts. And you know what? Students retained more with less.

3. The Power of Active Engagement

Here’s the truth: Students learn best when they’re doing—not just listening.

This isn’t about entertainment. It’s about attention and application. When kids are engaged through movement, discussion, and purposeful interaction, their brains are more likely to process and remember the information.

💡 Try this:

• Use turn-and-talks or table discussions

• Incorporate manipulatives or visuals

• Add movement to review games or transitions

• Ask reflective questions that get kids thinking

🧾 What This Means for You

Here’s your takeaway: 

✔️ The Science of Reading is essential—but it’s not the whole picture. 

✔️ The Science of Learning helps us go deeper—into memory, motivation, and mindset. 

✔️ We don’t need more buzzwords. We need better understanding. 

✔️ Our job isn’t just to teach content—it’s to help students learn how to learn.

And yes—it’s complex. No one worksheet or curriculum can solve it. But that’s okay. Because good teaching has never been about shortcuts.

💬 Let’s Reflect Together

Now it’s your turn: Take a moment and reflect on your current instruction.

Are you designing for retention—or just hoping they remember? Are you scaffolding for processing—or powering through the pace?

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Seriously—leave a comment right here on this post. I read every message, and it means the world to connect with fellow educators doing this work.

💛 Thank You

To every educator out there showing up, adjusting, and growing—thank you. Your perspective, energy, and commitment are what move this work forward.

I see you. I appreciate you. And I’m cheering you on every step of the way.

Until next time...

Keep showing up. Keep making a difference.