Middle School Café – Strategies & Support for Middle School ELA Teachers
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.
Episodes
62 episodes
How to Reduce Reading Anxiety: 6 Strategies for Confident Readers [EP. 59]
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,...
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Episode 59
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14:19
Easy Ways to Start Peer-to-Peer Academic Conversations [Ep. 58]
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...
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Episode 58
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10:27
How To Build Reading Stamina: Practical Strategies For ELA Teachers [Ep. 57]
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 t...
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Episode 57
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13:07
Where Reading Feels Like Belonging - Building a Reading Culture [Ep. 56]
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 tha...
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Episode 56
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10:18
Don’t Skip Genre Review: Why It Matters in Middle School ELA [Ep. 55]
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 me...
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Episode 55
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13:01
Using Reading Challenges to Engage and Stretch Student Readers [Ep. 54]
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 p...
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Episode 54
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13:50
Teacher Reflection: What Worked This Year—And What I’m Leaving Behind [Ep. 53]
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...
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Episode 53
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10:25
Student Reflection Strategies That Build Better Comprehension [Ep. 52]
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 o...
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Episode 52
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13:10
Make Reflection Part of Your Reading Routine [Ep. 51]
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 discu...
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Episode 51
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11:53
Burnout Is Real: An Honest Conversation for Teachers [Bonus]
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 lo...
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15:59
Keeping Students Engaged with Simple Choice Strategies [Ep. 50]
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 class...
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Episode 50
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11:33
Student-Led Book Talks: A Meaningful Way to Keep Students Reading [Ep. 49]
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 classr...
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Episode 49
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12:25
Strategies for Teaching Vocabulary with Purpose - Part 2 [Ep. 48]
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...
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Episode 48
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11:25
Teaching Vocabulary with Purpose Part 1 [Ep. 47]
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 d...
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Season 1
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Episode 47
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10:55
Holding Students Accountable While Fostering A Love For Reading [Ep. 46]
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 prac...
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Episode 46
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10:47
The Power of Independent Reading in a Canned Curriculum Classroom [Ep. 45]
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 consis...
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Episode 45
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10:50
Back in Action: A Fresh Chapter for the Middle School Café Podcast! [BONUS]
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 abo...
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4:48
Finding 'Just Right' Books: Cultivating Lifelong Readers [Ep. 44]
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 intere...
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Episode 44
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21:37
The Power of Teacher Book Talks: Igniting a Passion for Reading [Ep. 43]
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...
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Episode 43
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23:55
Using Routines and Procedures in the Classroom to Build Classroom Community [Ep. 42]
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...
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Episode 42
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19:25
Building Strong Teacher-Student Relationships Beyond Getting to Know you Activities [Ep. 41]
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 v...
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Episode 41
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20:09
Unique Reading Engagement Ideas with Katie from Mochas and Markbooks [Ep. 40]
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...
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Episode 40
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40:47
Digital Escape Rooms with Lyndsey from Lit with Lyns [Ep. 39]
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, ...
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Episode 39
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22:05
Motivating Students through Book Talks with Mary Pat from Just Add Students [Ep. 38]
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 cult...
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Episode 38
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29:17
Leveled Writing Labs with Lisa from Mrs. Spangler in the Middle [Ep. 37]
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 wri...
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Episode 37
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31:19