The first few weeks of school often bring a real buzz around reading—students are exploring the shelves, setting goals, and diving into new books. But as the back-to-school excitement fades, that momentum can slip, and independent reading starts to feel more like just another assignment. In this episode we share fresh, practical strategies to keep students engaged well beyond the first month of school.

From spotlighting new book choices and mixing up routines, to incorporating quick reflections and building a stronger reading community, you’ll find simple ways to make reading time feel meaningful again. We also dig into the deeper benefits of reading challenges, how to give reluctant readers “quick wins,” and why it’s powerful to let students share the books they didn’t finish. Whether your students are eager readers or still finding their way, this episode will give you tools to re-energize your classroom and keep reading momentum going strong all year long.

Resources you may find helpful:

• Reading Challenges
• Book Review and Recommendation Templates
• Building Reading Stamina
• Finding Just Right Books

Related episodes and blog posts:

• How to Reduce Reading Anxiety (Episode 59)
• Using Reading Challenges to Engage and Stretch Readers (Episode 54)
• How to Use Choice Reading to Boost Engagement (Episode 19)
• How to Support Struggling Readers

Be sure to join the Secondary ELA Facebook group. If you’re loving this podcast, please rate, review and follow!

Website: https://middleschoolcafe.com/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/secondaryela
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/middleschoolcafe
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TPT Shop: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Middle-School-Cafe

In this episode, we are talking about reading anxiety, how to recognize it, why it holds students back, and six practical reading strategies you can start teaching right away to help move students past it. You’ll hear ideas for creating a safe, supportive classroom environment, giving students concrete steps to try when they get stuck, and building their stamina and confidence with challenging texts. These strategies are designed to reduce reading anxiety, support struggling readers, and make reading more accessible and successful for every student.

Whether you’re working with students who have missed foundational skills due to learning disruptions or those who simply lack the confidence to engage with more complex texts, these strategies provide an easy access point for every reader. They’ll help your students take ownership of their learning, know exactly what to do when they hit a roadblock, and see reading as something they can do.

Read more in the show notes.

Get your FREE set of Reading Support Posters here!

Resources you may find helpful:

• Building Reading Stamina
• Finding Just Right Books

Related episodes and blog posts:

• Book Talks 101: A Simple Guide to Get Started
• Fostering a love of Reading through Teacher Book Talks
• Building Classroom Community in ELA Classroom
• The Power of a Book Talk - Ep 43

Be sure to join the Secondary ELA Facebook group. If you’re loving this podcast, please rate, review and follow!

Website: https://middleschoolcafe.com/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/secondaryela
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/middleschoolcafe
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/middleschoolcafe/
TPT Shop: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Middle-School-Cafe

Getting students to talk to each other in meaningful ways is harder than it sounds—but it’s a crucial part of building classroom community and engagement. In this episode, I’m diving into practical strategies you can use at the beginning of the year to help students feel safe and confident sharing their ideas in class.

From low-risk warm-ups and silly writing prompts to silent debates and structured turn and talks, I’ll walk you through simple, intentional ways to ease students into academic conversation. These routines don’t just get students talking; they build trust, support learning, and help create a classroom where every voice has a place.

Whether you're launching back-to-school routines or looking for fresh ways to increase participation, this episode is packed with ideas you can try right away.

Read more in the show notes.

Resources you may find helpful:

• Introduction to Silent Debates
• Academic Language Sentence Stems
• Story Element Task Cards - Great for starting conversations
• Reader Response Task Cards - Reflective conversations

Related episodes and blog posts:

• Academic Conversations Through Silent Debates
• 12 Ways to Support Academic Conversations
• Building Classroom Community in ELA Classroom
• Task Cards: An Engaging Tool for Middle Schoolers

Be sure to join the Secondary ELA Facebook group. If you’re loving this podcast, please rate, review and follow!

Website: https://middleschoolcafe.com/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/secondaryela
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/middleschoolcafe
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/middleschoolcafe/
TPT Shop: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Middle-School-Cafe

In this episode, we’re tackling a challenge many ELA teachers face—students struggling with reading stamina. With canned curriculum, short excerpts, and fast-paced instruction, students often lack the focus and endurance to finish full-length texts. We’ll dig into why reading stamina matters for critical thinking and long-term academic success, and I’ll share practical, classroom-tested strategies to help students stay engaged. From building curiosity and creating a reading-friendly classroom culture to using focus tools like sticky note thinking and self-assessment, you’ll walk away with actionable ideas to help your students become stronger, more confident readers.

Read more in the show notes.

Resources you may find helpful:

• Genre Review Scavenger Hunt
• Finding Just Right Books
• Building Reading Stamina (includes the rubric I use with my class)
• Independent Reading Challenges

Related episodes and blog posts:

• Don’t Skip Genre Review: Why It Matters in Middle School ELA
• Helping Students Find Just Right Books That Spark a Love of Reading
• How to Close Learning Gaps in Reading in Today’s ELA Classrooms
• Helping Students Find Just Right Books: How to Stretch Them Without Frustration

Be sure to join the Secondary ELA Facebook group. If you’re loving this podcast, please rate, review and follow!

Website: https://middleschoolcafe.com/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/secondaryela
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/middleschoolcafe
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/middleschoolcafe/
TPT Shop: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Middle-School-Cafe

We’re kicking off a brand-new series on reading strategies for back to school—and this first episode is all about helping students see themselves as readers. I’m sharing my own story (spoiler: I didn’t always love reading), and how that experience shapes the way I build reading culture in my classroom. You’ll hear how I start the year with intentional conversations, low-stress activities like reader one-pagers, and time for students to explore books without pressure. Whether your students are confident readers or come in saying they hate books, this episode will give you practical ideas to help them feel like they belong in a community of readers—because reading isn’t just something we do, it’s who we are.

Reading Resources you may find helpful:

• Reader One-Pager, Surveys and Get to Know You Assignments
• Literary Genre Review Scavenger Hunt

Related episodes and blog posts:

• How to Support Struggling Readers and Reduce Anxiety
• Get to Know Your Students As Readers
• Building Strong Teacher-Student Relationships
• How to Get Students to Connect with Books
• The Power of Independent Reading

Website: https://middleschoolcafe.com/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/secondaryela
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/middleschoolcafe
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/middleschoolcafe/
TPT Shop: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Middle-School-Cafe

Think genre review is just for younger grades? Think again. In this episode, I’m breaking down why a simple genre review at the start of the year is one of the best ways to build reading confidence, spark student choice, and set the tone for meaningful reading conversations. You’ll get practical, low-prep ideas—including one of my favorite mystery-based review games—that help students reconnect with what they already know and start the year with a win. Whether you're prepping for back-to-school or refreshing your reading routines, this episode will help you create a classroom full of curious, confident readers.

Read more in the show notes.

Genre Resources you may find helpful:

• Literary Genre Review Scavenger Hunt
• Reading Genre Posters

Related episodes and blog posts:

• Book Talks 101: A Simple Guide for Middle School ELA Teachers
• Reduce Reading Anxiety and Support Struggling Readers
• 4 Strategies for Productive Independent Reading In Middle School

Website: https://middleschoolcafe.com/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/secondaryela
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/middleschoolcafe
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/middleschoolcafe/
TPT Shop: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Middle-School-Cafe

Think independent reading has to disappear with a canned curriculum? Not so fast. In this episode, I’m sharing how flexible, low-pressure reading challenges can help you keep independent reading alive—even when you're tied to a scripted program. You’ll get ideas for tying challenges to curriculum themes, recognizing effort without rewards, and giving students meaningful roles that promote ownership. Whether you already use independent reading or want a manageable way to bring it back, this episode will help you re-engage mid to high-level readers and make reading feel relevant again.

Read more in the Show Notes

Mentioned in this episode:

• Episode 45: Why Independent Reading Still Matters—Even with a Canned Curriculum
  Middle School ELA Summit – Attend for Free

Website: https://middleschoolcafe.com/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/secondaryela
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/middleschoolcafe
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/middleschoolcafe/
TPT Shop: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Middle-School-Cafe

As the school year wraps up, it’s not just our students who benefit from reflection—we do, too. In this episode, I’m taking a step back to do my own end of year reflection. I’m sharing what worked in my classroom this year and what I’ve decided to leave behind. From managing tech use to reconnecting with parents through positive communication, I’ll walk you through the shifts I’m making for next year—and why.

Whether you’re still finishing grades or already sipping iced coffee in full summer mode, I hope this teacher reflection gives you space to pause, celebrate your wins, and think ahead to the kind of classroom you want to build next.

Click to see more Middle School Cafe Podcast Episodes.

Website: https://middleschoolcafe.com/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/secondaryela
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/middleschoolcafe
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/middleschoolcafe/
TPT Shop: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Middle-School-Cafe