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

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 ideas to help you balance both. Tune in to discover how even small changes can make a big...

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’re a seasoned teacher or new to the classroom, this episode will set the stage for an exciting new chapter. Subscribe now and join me on this journey...

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 library, and why access and choice matter more than levels alone. Whether you're launching independent reading or supporting students who haven’t found their “thing” yet, this episode will help you create...

 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 exciting as their favorite screen time. You’ll learn practical tips for choosing the right books to talk about, how to deliver engaging teasers, and ways to weave book talks into your weekly routine. Whether you...

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 student comfort, engagement, and community building. By intentionally teaching procedures, we ensure a focused and efficient classroom, promoting active participation. From managing materials to handling emergencies, we emphasize the essential routines that lay the foundation for an academic year...

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 also provide practical strategies for maintaining these connections throughout the school year, from sharing interests to involving students in the learning process. Discover how cultivating relationships contributes to a positive classroom atmosphere and sets the foundation for academic success and personal growth.

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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 inspired by the cozy vibes of Tim Horton's, the beloved Canadian coffee shop. She creatively turned her classroom into a unique coffee shop experience that entices students to immerse themselves in the world of books. By...

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 test.

Lyndsey shares how she uses escape rooms in her secondary ELA classroom, including how her very first test prep escape room led to measurable growth on state testing. We’ll also cover ti...

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-peer excitement around books.

Mary Pat shares strategies for coaching students to create strong hooks, give concise summaries, and explain why their book is worth reading. We also talk about using rubric...

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 with lessons focused on thesis statements, topic sentences, supporting evidence, and more.

Lisa shares how diagnostic assessments place students at the right level, how the program uses Google Forms for easy self-assessment and teacher tracking, and why progress—not...

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 Fridays to generate interest, allowing students to have choice in reading material when possible, and using accountability measures like tracking student progress using a quick Status of the Class activity. 

We also address challenges such as balancing different book...

When students are given real choices in the classroom, their motivation, engagement, and learning outcomes all improve. In this episode, I’m joined by Kristy from 2 Peas and a Dog to talk about the power of student choice—and how you can incorporate it into your middle school ELA classroom without doubling your workload. We explore strategies like choice reading, essay topic options, and scaffolded choice boards that allow students to work at their own level and in their preferred style.

Kristy shares practical tips for starting small, offering flexible assignment formats, and using choice to support diff...

Think centers are just for elementary classrooms? Think again. In this episode, I’m joined by Rachel from Uniquely Upper to explore how learning stations—or centers—can be a game-changer in middle and high school ELA. We discuss how centers promote differentiation, increase student engagement, and help teachers target skill gaps in a manageable, meaningful way.

Rachel shares tips for getting started, ideas for designing centers that support various learning styles and ability levels, and how to make stations feel age-appropriate for older students. Whether you’re new to centers or looking to make them work at the s...

Today is launch day for the book, Motivating Readers: Teaching in the Post-Pandemic Era!  In today’s episode, I share why I wrote the book and what I hope you will gain by reading the book.  

Motivating Readers: Teaching in the Post Pandemic Era, is written for secondary ELA teachers. It acknowledges the challenges faced during the pandemic and emphasizes the need to address the learning gaps in student knowledge and adjust teaching strategies to meet the unique needs of today’s students. The book offers practical strategies, personal stories, and insights to engage students and bridge learni...

Before diving into summer break, it’s important to pause and reflect on what worked—and what didn’t—during the school year. In this episode, I’m sharing my honest reflections on the past year in my middle school ELA classroom. From classroom management to instruction, I walk through the changes I plan to make and the strategies I’ll definitely be keeping.

You’ll hear why I’m focusing on tightening expectations, implementing more small group instruction, and using centers and choice boards to better meet student needs. I also talk about two things that really helped—sp...

How do you make independent reading work in a busy secondary ELA classroom? In this special Q&A episode, I’m answering five thoughtful questions submitted by listeners—all focused on helping students build stronger reading habits and making independent reading time more effective and enjoyable for everyone.

You’ll hear practical strategies for setting expectations, supporting reluctant readers, and encouraging student choice through book variety and reading challenges. Whether you're just starting to build independent reading time or looking to refine your approach, this episode offers actionable ideas you can use right away to create a more p...

Summer break is just around the corner, and it's the perfect time to rest, recharge, reflect, and invest in some relevant professional development. In today’s episode, I’m sharing books that have changed and inspired my own professional practices.

If you're looking to enhance your teaching skills and bring fresh energy to your middle school ELA classroom, these professional development books will help you rethink your reading instruction, reignite your passion for teaching, and give you practical strategies to take into the fall. Whether you read one or all four, you'll walk away with ideas that supp...

Do you jump in too quickly when students struggle?  In this episode, we’re talking about why stepping back might actually help your students grow. I’m diving into the concept of productive struggle and why it’s a key ingredient in developing confident, independent thinkers in the ELA classroom.

I’ll explore how allowing students to wrestle with challenging tasks—without rushing to provide answers—can strengthen their problem-solving skills, build resilience, and spark deeper learning. I share strategies for giving just enough support, offering specific feedback, and creating a classroom culture where mistakes are seen as part of th...

What if your students saw themselves as active participants in their learning—rather than passive recipients of information? In this episode, we’re exploring the power of student reflection and how it can transform your classroom. Teaching students to reflect helps them take ownership of their learning, recognize their strengths and challenges, and set meaningful goals.

I share practical strategies for weaving reflection into your daily routine—from modeling reflective thinking to gradually building it into everyday classroom conversations. You’ll also hear how reflection supports better retention, promotes self-awareness, and fosters a growth mindset. If you’re looking...

A strong classroom library can be a game-changer when it comes to building literacy and encouraging a love of reading. In this episode, I’m sharing why classroom libraries are essential for middle school ELA—and how to keep yours fresh, diverse, and engaging year after year.

You’ll learn practical strategies for evaluating your library, tips for updating your book collection on a budget, and ideas for involving students in the process. I’ll also share how to make your library more inclusive by ensuring it represents a range of voices, cultures, and experiences. Whether you’re buildin...

Before you close your classroom door for the summer, take a few intentional steps that will make your back-to-school season much smoother. In this episode, I’m sharing a list of simple but impactful end-of-year tasks to help you wrap up the school year with less stress—and more purpose.

We’ll talk about how to declutter and reset your classroom, review and update your classroom library, prep copies for the first week of school, and take time to reflect on what worked well. It’s easy to focus on what didn’t go right, but now is the tim...

Teaching has significantly changed in the past few years!  Students returned to the classroom with large learning gaps and teachers are left to pick up the pieces. The traditional methods of teaching are no longer as effective as they once were, and teachers are struggling to find ways to motivate students to engage. To help address these issues, I’ve written a book titled Motivating Readers: Teaching in the Post Pandemic Era.

In this episode, I share insights into the origin of the book and what teachers will find inside. The book offers practical strategies and techniques for...

Do you have a subject you struggle to teach? For me, it’s always been poetry—but that didn’t stop me from learning from someone who truly makes it shine. In this episode, I’m joined by Lesa from SmithTeachers9to12—aka the Poetry Queen—who shares how she turned her own challenges with poetry into a true classroom strength.

Lesa talks about the power of starting small, like using poetry-inspired attendance questions or having students write poems about themselves. You’ll also hear how analyzing student-written poetry can build confidence before tackling published works, and how to weave p...

As the school year winds down, it’s easy to fall into a routine or just try to make it to the finish line—but this time of year is actually the perfect opportunity to try something new. In this episode, I’m sharing a variety of engaging ELA activities that incorporate technology, collaboration, and student choice to keep learning meaningful through the final weeks of school.

From literary field trips and student-led book talks to silent debates and creative podcast projects, these strategies aren’t just fun—they also give you a head start on ideas to carry i...

It’s that time of year again—state testing season. But just because testing is on the calendar doesn’t mean the next few weeks have to be filled with stress and pressure. In this episode, I’m sharing how I approach state testing in my classroom, with simple strategies that keep students calm, focused, and ready to do their best—without burning them out.

From building a positive classroom environment to shifting your mindset around test prep, these are the small but meaningful changes that help students feel supported, not stressed. If you're looking for ways to approac...

One of the most powerful shifts I’ve made in teaching writing came after a professional development session with Kelly Gallagher—writing in front of my students. In this episode, I’m sharing how modeling the full writing process in real time helps students see that writing isn’t about perfection—it’s about thinking, revising, and trying again.

Instead of showing a polished final draft, I let students watch me struggle, rethink, revise, and push through the messy middle. This approach shows them that writing is a process, not a product—and it gives them the confidence to...