Independent reading doesn’t have to disappear just because your district moved to a canned curriculum. In this episode, I share how reading challenges can be a flexible, low-pressure way to keep middle and high-level readers engaged—even when you’re teaching from a required program.

You’ll hear practical ideas for making reading challenges work in a busy classroom, suggestions for creating prompts that connect to your curriculum themes, and ways to recognize student effort without relying on rewards or prizes. I also share small classroom roles that give students voice and ownership in the classroom reading routine.

Whether you’re already using independent reading or looking for a manageable way to reintroduce it, this episode offers strategies that honor student choice and help you keep reading meaningful—all while sticking to your district pacing guide.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What a reading challenge really is (and isn’t)
• Why this approach works well for your mid to stronger readers
• Creative ways to build connections between challenges and curriculum themes
• How to give students voice through small classroom roles
• Ideas for recognizing effort and reflection (and no, it's not candy!)
  
  

Mentioned in this episode:

• Episode 45: Why Independent Reading Still Matters—Even with a Canned Curriculum
  Middle School ELA Summit – Attend for Free

Join me this summer at 1 (or more) online ELA PD events: Annotated ELA, MSELA, and Joyful Reading Summits. Practical strategies for grades 6–10 teachers. Click the link below for all the details!

Summer PD Your Way!

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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.

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This week, we're continuing the conversation on student reflection — and taking it to the next level. If you've already tried strategies like Stop and Jot or sketch notes, this episode is all about how to help students reflect more deeply on what they read and recognize their growth over time.

I'm sharing easy ways to incorporate structured reflection into your reading routine through weekly check-ins, student-led book talks, one-on-one reading conferences, and end-of-unit reflections. These strategies are practical, flexible, and meaningful.

I’ve also linked a few done-for-you resources, blog posts, and past episodes to help you put these ideas into practice. Tune in and grab some fresh ideas for building confident, reflective readers in your classroom.

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

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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.

Continue Reading.

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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.

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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 classroom.

We’ll talk about how to give students a voice without creating chaos, why even small shifts in how we structure tasks can lead to more buy-in, and how letting students make some of the decisions actually leads to more focus — not less. Bonus? It can lighten your load, too.

Whether you're working within a tight curriculum or just feeling the burnout, these easy-to-implement strategies can help you wrap up the year strong — with students still learning, still participating, and maybe even enjoying it along the way.

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In this episode, we're talking all about student-led book talks—one of my favorite ways to keep students engaged in reading during the final stretch of the school year. With state testing behind us and summer on the horizon, now is the perfect time to give students more choice and ownership in their learning.

I’ll walk you through what student-led book talks look like in my classroom, how they differ from traditional book talks and book clubs, and why they’re so effective at this time of year. We’ll also tackle some common concerns—like what to do if students don’t read, pick the wrong book, or fall behind—and I’ll share the simple systems I use to keep the experience low-stress and successful for everyone.

Whether you’ve tried book talks before or are just getting started, this episode will give you the confidence and tools to make them work in your classroom.

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If you’ve ever wondered how to make vocabulary instruction more engaging and effective without adding more to your already packed schedule, this episode is for you! In part two of this mini-series on vocabulary, we’re diving into practical strategies that help students not only learn new words but actually use and remember them.

In this episode, we’ll explore creative, low-prep ways to help students interact with words consistently, building their confidence and making vocabulary a meaningful part of their learning experience.

Continue reading.

Let me help you with these FREE Vocabulary ideas!
Don't forget to listen to Part 1: Teaching Vocabulary with Purpose

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