It is possible to inspire a lifelong love of reading in secondary ELA students and that's what the Creating Joyful Readers podcast is all about.
Your host, Samantha (from Samantha in Secondary) is a seasoned educator with 15 years of classroom experience. This podcast shares what works in the post-pandemic classroom and what doesn't so you can skip the trial and error.
Every Monday, we’ll chat about the amazing benefits of independent reading, dig into the latest literacy research, cover practical tips and strategies to nurture lifelong readers, break down projects that help students show off what they’ve learned in creative ways, and highlight some fresh young adult books you can snag at Target right now to keep your students excited.
Let’s be real – kids aren't into reading anymore. Some can’t read well and those who can often don’t want to. It’s time for a change. We’re going to talk about how to make joyful, thriving readers a reality. If you’ve tried everything to get your students excited about reading and you’re out of ideas, you’re in the right place.
Tune in every Monday to find inspiration and practical tips to light that reading spark in your students. Remember, each book we introduce and every reading experience we create can change lives and foster lifelong readers.
Follow along on social media @samanthainsecondary for more tips, book recommendations, and to connect with other educators who are on this joyful journey.
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.
21 Apr 2025
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.
14 Apr 2025
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.
Who has been a guest on Creating Joyful Readers
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Jason Reynolds
Jeff Zentner
Elizabeth Acevedo
Nic Stone
Sarah Dessen
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