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
71 episodes
Easy Ways to Celebrate Reading Wins and Motivate Readers [Ep 67]
The days leading up to winter break can feel a little wild, and it’s easy to overlook all the quiet reading growth happening in your classroom. In this episode, we’re slowing down just enough to notice those moments. I’m sharing simple, low-pre...
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Episode 67
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9:48
Moving Students Beyond Surface-Level Reading [Ep 66]
In this episode I’m talking about those familiar one-line reading responses like “I liked it” or “I don’t know” and how we can help students move beyond them. Students are capable of deeper thinking, and sometimes they just need a few simple ro...
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Episode 66
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14:38
How Nonfiction Pairings Build Understanding and Reading Success [Ep 65]
Looking for new ways to make reading more meaningful? In this episode, we’ll explore how pairing fiction and nonfiction can benefit all readers, helping every student, from those who need a little more support to those ready for deeper analysis...
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Episode 65
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13:36
How to Use Nonfiction to Engage Reluctant Readers [Ep. 64]
Nonfiction doesn’t have to be dry or something students just “get through.” In this episode, we’ll share how high-interest nonfiction can spark curiosity, build confidence, and help even the most reluctant readers see themselves as capabl...
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Episode 64
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12:38
Building Better Readers with Short Stories [Ep. 63]
Short stories are quick to read but powerful when used with purpose. In this episode, we’ll look at how short texts can strengthen reading skills, spark discussion, and build confidence for even the most hesitant readers. You’ll discover how th...
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Episode 63
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11:25
Boost Student Focus with Reading Sprints for Independent Reading [Ep. 62]
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 confi...
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Episode 62
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10:25
Quick Wins for Helping Students Pick a Just-Right Book [Bonus]
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 fir...
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8:36
10 Easy Ways to Encourage Student Book Recommendations in Your Classroom [Ep. 61]
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 yo...
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Episode 61
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10:58
How to Keep Reading Energy Alive Beyond the First Month [Ep. 60]
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 start...
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Episode 60
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13:56
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