Creating Joyful Readers

35. No More Either/Or: How to Integrate Choice Reading with Your Curriculum

Today, we’re talking about one of my favorite topics- independent reading. And more specifically, how to make it work alongside your full-class novels. It doesn’t matter if you’re new to lit circles or you’ve been using them for a while, this episode is full of tips and tricks for everyone Highlights: * Use Independent Reading Time as a Daily Bellringer * Try a Genre-Based Literature Circle * Connect Your Novels Through Literary Elements * Compare and Contrast in Key Assignments * Show That Independent Reading Matters Resources Mentioned: Genre Based Literature Circles - https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Genre-Based-Units-for-Literature-Circles-Book-Clubs-Independent-Reading-12714838?utm_source=Podcast&utm_campaign=Episode%2035%20-%20Genre-Based%20Literature%20Circles%20Bundle [https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Genre-Based-Units-for-Literature-Circles-Book-Clubs-Independent-Reading-12714838?utm_source=Podcast&utm_campaign=Episode%2035%20-%20Genre-Based%20Literature%20Circles%20Bundle] 100 YA Books to Add to Your Classroom Library Freebie - https://view.flodesk.com/pages/5ebd6642fb8a970026998fa5 [https://ttps://view.flodesk.com/pages/5ebd6642fb8a970026998fa5] Some links referenced here are affiliate links. Supporting the podcast through these links comes at no additional cost to you. --> Shop for your modern day literacy classroom HERE [https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/samantha-in-secondary]: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/samantha-in-secondary [https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/samantha-in-secondary] --> For tips, book recommendations, and connection with other educators follow along on INSTAGRAM [https://www.instagram.com/samanthainsecondary/]: https://www.instagram.com/samanthainsecondary/ [https://www.instagram.com/samanthainsecondary/] --> Shop my favorite YA books HERE [https://www.amazon.com/shop/samanthainsecondary]: https://www.amazon.com/shop/samanthainsecondary [https://www.amazon.com/shop/samanthainsecondary] Mentioned in this episode: Your new favorite unit has arrived! Grab your ready-to-use collection of three engaging mini-units that dive into the worlds of dystopia, science fiction, and fantasy. Each unit comes with genre introductions, discussion guides, and engaging projects like a dystopian society brochure, a sci-fi character analysis, and a hero’s journey exploration for fantasy. Plus, there are brand new Rate That Book activities to help students discover what they love to read! You can find it by heading to my Teachers Pay Teachers shop, Samantha in Secondary, and searching for speculative fiction.

34. 5 Budget-Friendly Ways to Refresh Your Classroom Library

Tune in to hear five practical and budget-friendly ways to stock your shelves, along with some of my own favorite strategies that helped me create a diverse and engaging collection of books—without breaking the bank. Whether you’re starting from scratch or just looking to refresh your library with new titles, this episode is packed with ideas to help you build a literary haven for your students. Highlights: * Make Secondhand Stores Your Best Friend * Shop Online for Hidden Deals * Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Donations * Library Sales Are a Hidden Treasure * Apply for Book Grants Resources Mentioned: 100 YA Books to Add to Your Classroom Library Freebie - https://view.flodesk.com/pages/5ebd6642fb8a970026998fa5 [https://view.flodesk.com/pages/5ebd6642fb8a970026998fa5] Some links referenced here are affiliate links. Supporting the podcast through these links comes at no additional cost to you. --> Shop for your modern day literacy classroom HERE [https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/samantha-in-secondary]: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/samantha-in-secondary [https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/samantha-in-secondary] --> For tips, book recommendations, and connection with other educators follow along on INSTAGRAM [https://www.instagram.com/samanthainsecondary/]: https://www.instagram.com/samanthainsecondary/ [https://www.instagram.com/samanthainsecondary/] --> Shop my favorite YA books HERE [https://www.amazon.com/shop/samanthainsecondary]: https://www.amazon.com/shop/samanthainsecondary [https://www.amazon.com/shop/samanthainsecondary] Mentioned in this episode: Your new favorite unit has arrived! Grab your ready-to-use collection of three engaging mini-units that dive into the worlds of dystopia, science fiction, and fantasy. Each unit comes with genre introductions, discussion guides, and engaging projects like a dystopian society brochure, a sci-fi character analysis, and a hero’s journey exploration for fantasy. Plus, there are brand new Rate That Book activities to help students discover what they love to read! You can find it by heading to my Teachers Pay Teachers shop, Samantha in Secondary, and searching for speculative fiction.

33. Imagining the Impossible: Brigid Kemmerer on the Power of Speculative Fiction

Brigid Kemmerer is a New York Times bestselling author known for her captivating fantasy and contemporary novels, including A Curse So Dark and Lonely, Defy the Night, and Letters to the Lost. Her books have a way of pulling in teens and adults alike. In today’s episode, we’ll talk about Brigid’s own journey to becoming a joyful reader and what makes the speculative fiction genre so fascinating for audiences of all ages. Plus, she’ll share insights into her own writing process and teasers about upcoming projects. So, whether you’re a teacher, librarian, or just a fan of incredible YA, you won’t want to miss this conversation.  Resources Mentioned: Defy the Night - https://amzn.to/41JupZt [https://amzn.to/41JupZt] A Curse So Dark and Lonely - https://amzn.to/3QMtNMA [https://amzn.to/3QMtNMA] Letters to the Lost - https://amzn.to/3QMtPUI [https://amzn.to/3QMtPUI] Connect with today's guest: Website - www.brigidkemmerer.com [http://www.brigidkemmerer.com] Instagram - www.instagram.com/brigidkemmerer [http://www.instagram.com/brigidkemmerer] Some links referenced here are affiliate links. Supporting the podcast through these links comes at no additional cost to you. --> Shop for your modern day literacy classroom HERE [https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/samantha-in-secondary]: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/samantha-in-secondary [https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/samantha-in-secondary] --> For tips, book recommendations, and connection with other educators follow along on INSTAGRAM [https://www.instagram.com/samanthainsecondary/]: https://www.instagram.com/samanthainsecondary/ [https://www.instagram.com/samanthainsecondary/] --> Shop my favorite YA books HERE [https://www.amazon.com/shop/samanthainsecondary]: https://www.amazon.com/shop/samanthainsecondary [https://www.amazon.com/shop/samanthainsecondary] Mentioned in this episode: Your new favorite unit has arrived! Grab your ready-to-use collection of three engaging mini-units that dive into the worlds of dystopia, science fiction, and fantasy. Each unit comes with genre introductions, discussion guides, and engaging projects like a dystopian society brochure, a sci-fi character analysis, and a hero’s journey exploration for fantasy. Plus, there are brand new Rate That Book activities to help students discover what they love to read! You can find it by heading to my Teachers Pay Teachers shop, Samantha in Secondary, and searching for speculative fiction.

32. Speculative Fiction 101: A Teacher’s Guide to Fantasy, Sci-Fi & Dystopia

What if time travel were possible? What if magic and science collided? What if we lived in a world where artificial intelligence developed emotions—or where humanity had to fight for survival in a distant galaxy? These "what if" questions are the foundation of speculative fiction, a genre that invites readers to imagine worlds beyond our own. Highlights: * What is speculative fiction? * Why This Genre Might Appeal to Teens * Speculative Fiction History * Subgenres * My Favorites Resources Mentioned: Speculative Fiction Bundle - https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Speculative-Fiction-Bundle-Dystopia-Science-Fiction-and-Fantasy-Mini-Units-12714513?utm_source=Podcast&utm_campaign=Episode%2032%20-%20Speculative%20Fiction%20Bundle [https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Speculative-Fiction-Bundle-Dystopia-Science-Fiction-and-Fantasy-Mini-Units-12714513?utm_source=Podcast&utm_campaign=Episode%2032%20-%20Speculative%20Fiction%20Bundle] Some links referenced here are affiliate links. Supporting the podcast through these links comes at no additional cost to you. --> Shop for your modern day literacy classroom HERE [https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/samantha-in-secondary]: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/samantha-in-secondary [https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/samantha-in-secondary] --> For tips, book recommendations, and connection with other educators follow along on INSTAGRAM [https://www.instagram.com/samanthainsecondary/]: https://www.instagram.com/samanthainsecondary/ [https://www.instagram.com/samanthainsecondary/] --> Shop my favorite YA books HERE [https://www.amazon.com/shop/samanthainsecondary]: https://www.amazon.com/shop/samanthainsecondary [https://www.amazon.com/shop/samanthainsecondary] Mentioned in this episode: Your new favorite unit has arrived! Grab your ready-to-use collection of three engaging mini-units that dive into the worlds of dystopia, science fiction, and fantasy. Each unit comes with genre introductions, discussion guides, and engaging projects like a dystopian society brochure, a sci-fi character analysis, and a hero’s journey exploration for fantasy. Plus, there are brand new Rate That Book activities to help students discover what they love to read! You can find it by heading to my Teachers Pay Teachers shop, Samantha in Secondary, and searching for speculative fiction.

31. Lesa Smith on Using Poetry to Create Joyful Readers

Today, we’re unpacking the world of poetry and its powerful potential to hook even the most reluctant readers. Joining me is an incredible educator, Lesa Smith. With a Master’s degree in English and Film Studies, Lesa is a master at blending literature, poetry, pop culture, and creativity to make her lessons unforgettable. In this episode, Lesa shares her love for poetry and her favorite strategies to connect students with poems in meaningful, approachable ways. Whether it’s tapping into their emotions, using pop culture references, or finding those perfect “aha!” moments, Lesa has a wealth of tips to help you transform poetry from intimidating to inspiring. Tune in and let these tips show you how poetry can help to create joyful readers. Resources Mentioned: Rudy Francisco - My Honest Poem - https://www.facinghistory.org/resource-library/my-honest-poem [https://www.facinghistory.org/resource-library/my-honest-poem] Button Poetry - https://buttonpoetry.com/ [https://buttonpoetry.com/] Louder Than a Bomb - http://www.louderthanabombfilm.com/ [https://www.louderthanabombfilm.com/] Academy of American Poets - http://www.poets.org [https://www.poets.org] Poetry Magazine Collection - https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/issue/1639193/january-february-2025 [https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/issue/1639193/january-february-2025] Warsan Shire - Bless the Daughter Raised By a Voice in Her Head - https://amzn.to/42pcJ6o [https://amzn.to/42pcJ6o] Walter Dean Myers - Here in Harlem - https://amzn.to/4gXAbMi [https://amzn.to/4gXAbMi] Amanda Gorman - Call Us What We Carry - https://amzn.to/40F6FVX [https://amzn.to/40F6FVX] Zeta Elliott - Say Her Name - https://amzn.to/3DXKql5 [https://amzn.to/3DXKql5]  Rupi Carr - Home Body - https://amzn.to/4hmey8g [https://amzn.to/4hmey8g] , Milk & Honey - https://amzn.to/3WqzByg [https://amzn.to/3WqzByg] Elizabeth Acevedo - Beast Girl and Other Origin Myths - https://amzn.to/4aIyY9z [https://amzn.to/4aIyY9z] Poetry is Not a Luxury - https://www.instagram.com/poetryisnotaluxury [https://www.instagram.com/poetryisnotaluxury] Morgan Harper Nichols - https://morganharpernichols.com/ [https://morganharpernichols.com/] Teach Living Poets - https://teachlivingpoets.com/ [https://teachlivingpoets.com/] Connect with today's guest: Lesa's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smithteaches9to12 [https://www.instagram.com/smithteaches9to12] Lesa's Free E-Book: https://smithteaches9to12.com/poetry-e-book/ [https://smithteaches9to12.com/poetry-e-book/] Lesa's TPT Store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/smithteaches9to12 [https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/smithteaches9to12] Some links referenced here are affiliate links. Supporting the podcast through these links comes at no additional cost to you. --> Shop for your modern day literacy classroom HERE [https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/samantha-in-secondary]: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/samantha-in-secondary [https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/samantha-in-secondary] --> For tips, book recommendations, and connection with other educators follow along on INSTAGRAM [https://www.instagram.com/samanthainsecondary/]: https://www.instagram.com/samanthainsecondary/ [https://www.instagram.com/samanthainsecondary/] --> Shop my favorite YA books HERE [https://www.amazon.com/shop/samanthainsecondary]: https://www.amazon.com/shop/samanthainsecondary [https://www.amazon.com/shop/samanthainsecondary]