Claim OwnershipMiddle School Café – Strategies & Support for Middle School ELA Teachers
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Are you a middle school ELA teacher looking for practical, proven strategies to help your students grow as confident readers and writers? Middle School Café is your go-to podcast for engaging teaching ideas, classroom-tested tools, and real talk about what works in today’s ELA classroom.
Each episode delivers actionable tips to help you close reading gaps, build student ownership, and create a classroom culture where literacy thrives. Whether you're navigating a curriculum, supporting struggling readers, or just looking for fresh ways to inspire your students, you'll find support, strategy, and a sense of community right here.
Join a community of passionate middle school ELA teachers working to build confident, engaged readers. Visit www.middleschoolcafe.com for classroom tools, podcast extras, and resources to support every student on their reading journey.
66 Episodes
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Stamina is harder than ever for middle schoolers, and independent reading often feels like an uphill climb. In this episode, you’ll learn how reading sprints, short, focused bursts of reading, can help students strengthen attention, build confidence, and develop the endurance they need for longer texts. In this episode, we’ll explore different ways to bring reading sprints into your classroom, whether it’s starting class with a quick warm-up, building community through partner shares, or help...
September brings an extra Tuesday, which means you get a bonus episode! In this short and practical episode, I’m sharing quick wins to help your students pick out the just-right book for right now. Whether you’re planning your very first library visit of the year or heading back for another round, these strategies will make sure students walk out with a book they actually want to read, not one that ends up forgotten in their backpack. From setting the tone before you go, to teaching students ...
Peer recommendations are one of the most effective ways to spark interest in reading. Students are much more likely to pick up a book when a classmate suggests it. In this episode, I share ten practical ways you can bring student voices into your classroom and help create a living TBR list that students will actually use. These ideas make reading feel less like an assignment and more like a community experience. You don’t need to try all ten ideas at once, just choose one or two that fit your...
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 reflectio...
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...
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 ...
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...
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...
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-scho...
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, t...
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 ...
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 students track their growth, talk about books with confidence, and become more intentional reader...
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, these practical ideas will help students make deeper connections with the text. Read more in the show no...
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 ourselves. I’ll walk you through what burnout looks like—beyond just a tough day—and how it can show up...
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 c...
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 book reports and book clubs, and how to handle common challenges like unfinished books or off-track...
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 you with these FREE Vocabulary ideas! Don't forget to listen to Part 1: Teaching Vocabulary wi...
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 lessons—without adding to your workload. Hit play to learn simple ways to bring vocabulary back i...
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 reluctant readers. Whether you’re building a reading culture from scratch or just want fresh ideas to ...
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 independent reading can coexist with curriculum demands, this episode offers inspiration and actionable...
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