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!

Join me this summer at these free PD events: Annotated ELA, MSELA, and Joyful Reading. Click the link below for more details!

Summer PD Your Way!

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

Join me this summer at these free PD events: Annotated ELA, MSELA, and Joyful Reading. Click the link below for more details!

Summer PD Your Way!

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

Join me this summer at these free PD events: Annotated ELA, MSELA, and Joyful Reading. Click the link below for more details!

Summer PD Your Way!

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