Let’s be honest — keeping students engaged during the final weeks of school is tough. In this episode, I’m continuing our conversation about re-engaging students by sharing practical, low-stress ways to bring more student choice into your classroom.

We’ll talk about how to give students a voice without creating chaos, why even small shifts in how we structure tasks can lead to more buy-in, and how letting students make some of the decisions actually leads to more focus — not less. Bonus? It can lighten your load, too.

Whether you're working within a tight curriculum or just feeling the burnout, these easy-to-implement strategies can help you wrap up the year strong — with students still learning, still participating, and maybe even enjoying it along the way.

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In this episode, we're talking all about student-led book talks—one of my favorite ways to keep students engaged in reading during the final stretch of the school year. With state testing behind us and summer on the horizon, now is the perfect time to give students more choice and ownership in their learning.

I’ll walk you through what student-led book talks look like in my classroom, how they differ from traditional book talks and book clubs, and why they’re so effective at this time of year. We’ll also tackle some common concerns—like what to do if students don’t read, pick the wrong book, or fall behind—and I’ll share the simple systems I use to keep the experience low-stress and successful for everyone.

Whether you’ve tried book talks before or are just getting started, this episode will give you the confidence and tools to make them work in your classroom.

Website: https://middleschoolcafe.com/
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If you’ve ever wondered how to make vocabulary instruction more engaging and effective without adding more to your already packed schedule, this episode is for you! In part two of this mini-series on vocabulary, we’re diving into practical strategies that help students not only learn new words but actually use and remember them.

In this episode, we’ll explore creative, low-prep ways to help students interact with words consistently, building their confidence and making vocabulary a meaningful part of their learning experience.

Continue reading.

Let me help you with these FREE Vocabulary ideas!
Don't forget to listen to Part 1: Teaching Vocabulary with Purpose

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TPT Shop: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Middle-School-Cafe