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
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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
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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 readers. Whether you’re looking to level up your current reflection practices or start fresh, this episode will help you create stronger, more self-aware readers.

Read more in the show notes. 

Student Reflection Resources you may find helpful:

• Weekly Reading Reflection Sheets
• Reading Response Logs
• Student Led Book Talks
• End of Unit Reflection Sheets
• Visual Student Reflections

Related episodes and blog posts: 

• Make Reflection Part of your Reading Routine 
• Student-Led Book Talks: A Meaningful Way to Keep Students Reading 
• 4 Strategies for Productive Independent Reading in Middle School 
• Empowering Students with Reflection Opportunities

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

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 notes.

Resources you may find helpful:

• Academic Conversation Stems
• Reading Response Sheet

Related episodes and blog posts: 

• Easy Ways to Build Student Reflection into Your ELA Routine– blog
• Episode #28 Student Reflection: Empowering Students to Take Control of their Learning

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 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 physically, emotionally, and professionally. I’ll discuss common causes like overwhelming workloads, emotional exhaustion, and the constant pressure to do more with less.  Most importantly, I’ll share real, practical strategies that have helped me manage burnout. 

And if you’re questioning whether to stay in the profession, we’ll talk about that too—with honesty and without guilt.

If you’ve been feeling stretched thin, disconnected, or simply exhausted, this episode is for you. Let’s open the conversation, find a path forward, and remind ourselves that taking care of you is not only okay—it’s essential.

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