Middle School Café – Strategies & Support for Middle School ELA Teachers

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 structur...

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...

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 rea...

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 wi...

 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 ow...

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 y...

Want to help your students move beyond surface-level thinking during independent reading? In this episode, I’m sharing practical ways to build deeper comprehension through structured student reflection. From weekly check-ins and book talks to one-on-one conferences and end-of-unit reflections, you’ll get flexible strategies that fit into your existing routine. These simple but powerful tools help...

Student reflection is one of the most overlooked tools for building reading comprehension. This episode shares easy ways to make reflection part of your regular reading routine using strategies like Stop and Jot, Sketch Notes, and partner discussions. Whether you're working on reading comprehension, critical thinking, or just trying to keep students more engaged during independent reading, th...

In this special bonus episode, I’m hitting pause on my usual content to have an honest and much-needed conversation about teacher burnout. While I typically focus on teaching strategies, classroom routines, student engagement, and building a love of reading, today I’m shifting the spotlight to the emotional toll this profession can take—because supporting our students starts with supporting oursel...

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...

Looking for a meaningful way to keep students engaged in reading—at the end of the year or really any time? In this episode, I’m sharing how student-led book talks can build confidence, spark authentic reading conversations, and create a classroom culture where students want to read. You’ll learn how I structure book talks to keep things low-stress and flexible, how they differ from traditional bo...

If you’ve ever wondered how to make vocabulary instruction more engaging and effective without adding to your packed schedule, this episode is for you! In part two of our vocabulary mini-series, we explore low-prep strategies that help students truly learn, use, and remember new words—making vocabulary a consistent and meaningful part of their learning. Read more in the show notes .  Let me help y...

Is vocabulary instruction getting enough attention in your classroom? We’ve moved away from traditional word lists—but have we gone too far? Vocabulary is key to reading, writing, and confidence, yet many students struggle simply because they don’t know the words they need to understand or express ideas. In this episode, we’ll cover why vocabulary matters and how to make it a natural part of your...

How do we hold students accountable for independent reading without turning it into a chore? In this episode, I’m sharing creative, low-pressure strategies that promote reading engagement while still helping you track progress. You’ll hear practical ideas like peer-to-peer book recs, simple reflection tools, and interactive activities that make accountability feel fun and meaningful—even for reluc...

Welcome to the first full episode of our relaunched podcast! In this episode, we’re exploring the importance of independent reading and its place in the classroom, even when a canned curriculum is in play. With a focus on flexibility and consistency, we’ll discuss how to create space for student choice and foster a love of reading in a structured environment. If you’ve ever wondered whether indepe...

After an extended hiatus, the Middle School Café Podcast is back! In this special relaunch episode, I’m sharing why I took a step away, the lessons learned during this time, and what’s ahead for the podcast in 2025. Tune in to hear about the new format, a renewed focus on actionable strategies for middle and high school ELA teachers, and my mission to help all students grow as readers. Whether you...

Helping students find their “just right” book is one of the most powerful ways we can nurture lifelong readers. In this episode, I’m sharing practical strategies to match students with books that fit both their reading level and personal interests—so reading feels enjoyable, not like a task. You’ll learn how to use book talks to build anticipation, how to make the most of your classroom and school...

 In a world full of distractions—social media, video games, and viral content—getting students excited about reading can feel tough. But teacher book talks might be the secret weapon you didn’t know you needed. In this episode, I’m sharing how teacher-led book talks act like movie trailers for books, sparking curiosity, building anticipation, and showing students that reading can be just as exciti...

Today, we are exploring the importance of establishing consistent routines and procedures in the classroom and how they will help us in building a classroom community. While focusing on middle school students, the ideas provided are relevant to all grade levels. Discover how well-defined routines and procedures create a thriving learning environment. We explore the impact these practices have on s...

This episode explores the importance of building strong teacher-student relationships that extend beyond getting to know you activities. I discuss the misconception that teachers need to be friends with their students, emphasizing instead the value of creating a professional and caring connection. These relationships foster a sense of belonging, individualized learning, trust, and motivation. I al...

Imagine turning your classroom into a hip coffee shop or observing your students actively browsing through your classroom bookshelves to create poetry.  This is exactly what we are talking about in this episode!  Katie Saj from Mochas and Markbooks stops by for a fun interview about creative ideas she uses to engage her students in reading! Katie shared her amazing classroom transformation inspire...

Looking for a way to boost engagement, collaboration, and critical thinking in your ELA classroom? In this episode, I’m joined by Lyndsey from Lit with Lyns to explore the power of digital escape rooms. These interactive games combine puzzles, problem-solving, and content review in a way that motivates students of all ability levels—whether you’re introducing new material or prepping for a big tes...

Want to build a classroom where students are excited to share what they read—and inspire others to do the same? In this episode, I’m joined by Mary Pat from Just Add Students to explore how student-led book talks can transform your reading culture. You’ll hear how she implemented book talks as a monthly activity, helping students practice persuasive speaking, explore genres, and generate peer-to-p...

Struggling to close the writing gaps left behind by the pandemic? In this episode, I’m joined by Lisa from Mrs. Spangler in the Middle to talk about how her Leveled Writing Labs program is helping middle school students rebuild foundational writing skills through personalized, skill-based instruction. Designed specifically for middle schoolers, this intervention supports students at every level wi...

Reading is a fundamental skill that forms the foundation for all other academic subjects and is an important life skill!  In this episode, I’m joined by Jennifer from Books, Babbles & Bows.  We explore several strategies to promote reading and discuss practical methods for holding students accountable. Strategies such as assigning regular reading time, using book trailers and first-chapter Fri...