If you’ve been around the podcast for a while, you know how much I value choice reading—and in this episode, I’m joined by Samantha from Samantha in Secondary, who shares that same passion. Samantha walks us through how she incorporates choice reading units alongside her required curriculum and offers a treasure trove of engaging, real-world activities that bring books to life for students.

From book tastings and speed dating to literary field trips and one-pagers, Samantha shows how creative reading projects can boost engagement, deepen comprehension, and help students develop independent reading habits. Whether you’re looking to enhance your current reading routine or build a brand-new choice reading unit, this episode is packed with ideas to get your students reading—and loving it.

Read more in the show notes. 

Get to Know Samantha from Samantha in Secondary

Samantha is the 15-year veteran educator behind the blog Samantha in Secondary. She's a wife and mama to a little girl, currently on pause from classroom teaching to raise her. Choice reading and YA books are Samantha's passion. You can find her chatting all about her favorites on Instagram @samanthainsecondary. 

Connect with Samatha in Secondary

• www.samanthainsecondary.com
• www.samanthainsecondary.com/looksforbooks
• www.instagram.com/samanthainsecondary

Related episodes and blog posts: 

• Keeping Students Engaged with Simple Student Choice Strategies
• Student Choice with Kristy from 2 Peas and a Dog

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

Looking for a meaningful way to get students talking about books—and really thinking about what they’ve read? In this episode, I’m diving into how student-led book talks can promote deeper engagement, build speaking confidence, and create space for authentic peer-to-peer conversations in your secondary ELA classroom.

Book talks give students ownership over their reading and discussion process, helping them move beyond surface-level Q&A. I walk you through how to implement these discussions—from building reading into your routine to prepping students for discussion day and stepping back as the teacher so students can take the lead. If you’re ready to create a student-centered reading culture that supports critical thinking and communication skills, this episode is for you.

Read more in the show notes. 

Related Resources:

• Student Led Book Talks for Reader’s Workshop
• Student Led Discussions
• Book Clubs in Secondary ELA
• Free Book Club Planning Guide

Related blog posts: 

• Book Talks – Engaging Students in Reading Through Peer Discussions
• Student Led Book Talks
• Engage Students in Reading with Book Clubs!

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

Planning book clubs in the secondary ELA classroom takes more than just handing out books—it requires intentional planning, variety, and a focus on student ownership. In this episode, I’m walking you through how to launch book clubs with success, from selecting a range of engaging titles to teaching the mini-lessons students need to hold meaningful, student-led discussions.

I’ll also share how to prepare students to take the lead on discussion days, what to do when that feels a little awkward, and why building in time for reflection—for both students and teachers—is key to improving participation and group dynamics over time. Whether you’re new to book clubs or just want to fine-tune your approach, this episode is packed with practical strategies to get your students reading, thinking, and talking together.

Read more in the show notes. 

Download your copy of the FREE Book Club Planning Guide here!

Related Resources:

• Book Clubs in Secondary ELA
• Free Book Club Planning Guide
• Student Led Book Talks for Reader’s Workshop
• Student Led Discussions

Related blog posts: 

• Engage Students in Reading with Book Clubs!
• Assessing Student Led Book Clubs
  
  

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

Are you the kind of teacher who lights up when students have real, meaningful conversations about books and life? In this episode, I’m diving into how book clubs can shift reading instruction from worksheet-based to student-centered by promoting authentic, peer-led discussions that make reading feel relevant and social.

Unlike traditional literature circles, book clubs give students more choice and ownership. I share how grouping students by interest—not just reading level—can lead to deeper engagement and richer conversations. With the teacher acting as a facilitator, students take responsibility for their reading and hold one another accountable through collaborative discussion. If you’re ready to foster a stronger classroom reading culture, this episode offers a practical way to start.

Read more in the show notes. 

Don't forget to download your FREE Book Club Planning Guide.  

Related Resources:

• Book Clubs for Secondary ELA

Related blog posts: 

• Engage Students in Reading with Book Clubs!
• Do Book Clubs Work with Whole Class Novels?
• Assessing Student Led Book Clubs

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 know that strong vocabulary instruction is key to helping students access complex texts—but it doesn’t have to be dull or repetitive. In this episode, I’m sharing creative ways to make vocabulary instruction more engaging in the middle school ELA classroom. From games and student-created skits to letting students help choose which words to study, these strategies bring movement, voice, and fun into your lessons.

By combining purposeful instruction with playful activities, vocabulary becomes more than memorization—it becomes something students enjoy. These ideas are low-prep, high-impact, and easy to adapt for any unit. If you’re looking to make vocabulary more meaningful (and a little more fun), this episode is full of ideas to try right away.

Read more in the show notes. 

Related Resources:

• Vocabulary Activities for Any Unit
• Academic Word Walls
• Word of the Week
• 6th Grade Context Based Vocabulary Activities – Full Year
• 7th Grade Context Based Vocabulary Activities – Full Year
• 8th Grade Context Based Vocabulary Activities – Full Year

Related blog posts: 

• Get Creative with Vocabulary Review
• Vocabulary Instruction: The Key to Comprehension 
• Vocabulary instruction that works

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

Struggling to find time to teach vocabulary in your ELA classroom? In this episode, I’m continuing the conversation on vocabulary instruction by sharing three low-prep strategies you can start using right away—without needing to overhaul your entire curriculum.

I’ll dive into how Word Walls create visual clarity, how the Frayer Model helps students connect beyond the definition, and how Word of the Week can sneak in consistent exposure to high-utility words. These practical vocabulary strategies will help your students build word knowledge and deepen their reading comprehension—without overwhelming your lesson plans.

Read more in the show notes.

Vocabulary Strategies and Resources You Can Use with Your Class

• Vocabulary Activities
• Word of the Week
• 6th Grade Context Based Vocabulary Activities - Full Year
• 7th Grade Context Based Vocabulary Activities - Full Year
• 8th Grade Context Based Vocabulary Activities - Full Year

Related blog posts: 

• Vocabulary Instruction: The Key to Comprehension 
• Vocabulary instruction that works
• 5 Ways to Gamify your Vocabulary Instruction 

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

Does vocabulary instruction sometimes take a backseat to other ELA standards? In this episode, I explore why vocabulary needs to be a consistent part of your instruction—not something squeezed in when there’s time. Vocabulary is essential for reading comprehension, and when we teach it with intention, we help students become more confident and capable readers.

I’ll share practical ways to include vocabulary instruction in every unit, strategies students can use to figure out unfamiliar words, and ideas for making vocabulary learning more engaging and relevant to your students.

Read more in the show notes. 

Vocabulary resources you can use with your class:

• Vocabulary Activities
• Word of the Week
• 6th Grade Context Based Vocabulary Activities - Full Year
• 7th Grade Context Based Vocabulary Activities - Full Year
• 8th Grade Context Based Vocabulary Activities - Full Year

Related blog posts: 

• Vocabulary Instruction: The Key to Comprehension 
• Vocabulary instruction that works
• 5 Ways to Gamify your Vocabulary

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

Choice reading empowers students—but how do we make sure they’re actually reading and thinking deeply about their books? In this final episode of our four-part reading mini-series, I’m sharing four meaningful activities that hold students accountable without taking away the joy of reading.

These strategies—one-pagers, task cards, letters of advice, and reading response journals—encourage reflection, creativity, and critical thinking. They’re flexible, easy to implement, and work with any novel or nonfiction title your students choose.

Whether you’re looking to strengthen your independent reading routines or just need a few fresh ideas to check for understanding, these activities will help you build in structure while keeping reading fun.

Read more in the show notes. 

Resources mentioned in the episode:

• Reader Response Task Cards
• Story Element Task Cards

Other episodes in the series:

• 4 Ways to have Students Share out their Reading – episode 8 – 
• Accountability Beyond Recording Pages With Reading Reflections – episode 10 
• Setting Realistic Goals – Episode 11

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

This week on the podcast, I’m talking about setting realistic reading goals with your students based on the number of pages they can actually read. Instead of assigning a one-size-fits-all goal, I’ll share how to personalize goals for each student using a simple formula I learned from Penny Kittle.

By focusing on reading pace and time, students set goals that feel doable—and they’re more likely to stick with them. I’ll walk you through the steps and explain how these reading goals can help build motivation, accountability, and stronger reading habits over time.

Read more in the show notes. 

Be sure to check out all the episodes in the Reading Accountability miniseries:

• 4 Ways to have Students Share out their Reading
• Accountability Beyond Recording Pages with Reading Reflections

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

Do you use reading logs to hold students accountable, but feel like they’re not really helping students grow as readers? In this episode, I’m sharing why I ditched the traditional reading log in favor of reading reflections—and how it’s made a difference in my classroom.

Reading reflections go beyond recording page numbers. They invite students to think critically, connect personally with the text, and express their understanding. I’ll walk you through how I structure my reflections and the three components I include to make them both engaging and meaningful for students.

Read more in the show notes. 

Try a FREE Two Week Sample of Reading Reflections

Resources mentioned in the episode:

• Weekly Reading Reflections Set 1
• Weekly Reading Reflections Set 2
• Weekly Reading Reflections BUNDLE

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