Creating Joyful Readers

Samantha in Secondary
Creating Joyful Readers

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.

  1. 5D AGO

    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 Button Poetry - https://buttonpoetry.com/ Louder Than a Bomb - http://www.louderthanabombfilm.com/ Academy of American Poets - http://www.poets.org Poetry Magazine Collection - 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 Walter Dean Myers - Here in Harlem - https://amzn.to/4gXAbMi Amanda Gorman - Call Us What We Carry - https://amzn.to/40F6FVX Zeta Elliott - Say Her Name - https://amzn.to/3DXKql5  Rupi Carr - Home Body - https://amzn.to/4hmey8g , Milk & Honey - https://amzn.to/3WqzByg Elizabeth Acevedo - Beast Girl and Other Origin Myths - https://amzn.to/4aIyY9z Poetry is Not a Luxury - https://www.instagram.com/poetryisnotaluxury Morgan Harper Nichols - https://morganharpernichols.com/ Teach Living Poets - https://teachlivingpoets.com/ Connect with today's guest: Lesa's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smithteaches9to12 Lesa's Free E-Book: https://smithteaches9to12.com/poetry-e-book/ Lesa's TPT Store: 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...

    40 min
  2. FEB 24

    27. Kaycee Racer on Tropes That Make Us Swoon in YA Romance

    Today, I’m joined by storyteller extraordinaire Kaycee Racer—a Young Adult author, devoted reader, and retro media podcaster. Kaycee is the author of two heartfelt contemporary YA novels that capture the ups and downs of growing up with authenticity and heart. Influenced by childhood favorites like Sweet Valley High, The Baby-Sitter’s Club, and Ramona Quimby, Kaycee's love for stories only grew stronger with the sweet friendships and romances of Sarah Dessen and Meg Cabot. In addition to her writing, Kaycee co-hosts Nostalgic Nightcaps, a podcast where she revisits and dissects the pop culture classics that shaped her youth, creating fun and meaningful conversations with listeners. In this episode, we’re diving into romance tropes—why we love them, the ones that make our hearts race, and how they’ve evolved in both YA and beyond. Whether you’re here for the slow burns, love triangles, or second-chance stories, you’re in for a treat. Let’s get into it. Connect with today's guest: Visit Kaycee’s website - www.retrospect-publishing.com Follow Kaycee on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kayceeracer Middle of Nowhere by Kaycee Racer - https://amzn.to/4iYYmLM Everything is Alright by Kaycee Racer - https://amzn.to/4fIAHwc 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 --> For tips, book recommendations, and connection with other educators follow along on INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/samanthainsecondary/ --> Shop my favorite YA books HERE: https://www.amazon.com/shop/samanthainsecondary Mentioned in this episode: Grab my romance literature circle unit today Romance activities your students will love: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Romance-Genre-Literature-Circles-or-Choice-Reading-Unit-10524239?utm_source=Podcast&utm_campaign=Romance%20Series%20Ad%20Segment

    43 min
  3. FEB 17

    26. Kristy Boyce Shares the Secrets of a Great YA Romance

    I’m so glad you’re here for Creating Joyful Readers, your go-to show for tips, strategies, and inspiration on nurturing avid readers in secondary schools. I’m your host, Samantha, and today we’re exploring the secrets of what makes a great YA romance. I’m so excited to be joined by Kristy Boyce, the nationally bestselling author of Dungeons and Drama, Hot British Boyfriend, and Hot Dutch Daydream. Kristy’s stories capture the highs and lows of young love with humor, heart, and unforgettable characters.  When she’s not crafting swoon-worthy stories, Kristy is a senior lecturer in psychology at The Ohio State University, where she brings her expertise on human behavior into her writing. Today, we’re chatting about her books, her journey as an author, and her tips for creating YA romances that readers just can’t put down. Settle in and join me as we explore what makes YA romance so captivating with Kristy Boyce  Resources Mentioned: Kristy’s Website - https://www.kristyboyceauthor.com/ Dungeons and Drama by Kristy Boyce - https://amzn.to/4a22VRm Dragons and Dating by Kristy Boyce - https://amzn.to/404QQGs 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 --> For tips, book recommendations, and connection with other educators follow along on INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/samanthainsecondary/ --> Shop my favorite YA books HERE: https://www.amazon.com/shop/samanthainsecondary Mentioned in this episode: Grab my romance literature circle unit today Romance activities your students will love: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Romance-Genre-Literature-Circles-or-Choice-Reading-Unit-10524239?utm_source=Podcast&utm_campaign=Romance%20Series%20Ad%20Segment

    42 min
  4. FEB 10

    25. Teaching YA Romance with Joy: The Best Books and Creative Classroom Tips

    Whether you’re a fan of epic love stories or just looking for creative ways to bring romance into your classroom, this episode is for you. I’ll be sharing some engaging strategies to teach YA romance, from exploring common tropes to designing activities your students will love. Plus, I’ll reveal some of my favorite YA romance books that are perfect for your classroom library or next unit plan. So, grab your favorite beverage, get cozy, and let’s explore how to make YA romance an unforgettable reading experience for your students. Highlights: Romance Novels + Character Study = Match Made in HeavenFinding the Right BooksProject - Multi-Genre Character CollectionYA Romance in Popular MediaTry a Full Literature Circle Resources Mentioned: Romance Unit: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Romance-Genre-Literature-Circles-or-Choice-Reading-Unit-10524239?utm_source=Podcast&utm_campaign=Episode%2025%20-%20Romance%20Unit Character Mini-Lesson: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Character-Analysis-Mini-Lesson-for-Characterization-Character-Graphic-Organizer-6286846?utm_source=Podcast&utm_campaign=Episode%2025%20-%20Character%20Mini-Lesson Multi-Genre Character Collection: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Character-Analysis-Project-Multi-Genre-Character-Collection-10508848?utm_source=Podcast&utm_campaign=Episode%2025%20-%20Multi-Genre%20Character%20Collection Book Speed Dating: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Book-Speed-Dating-Independent-Reading-Activity-5231105?utm_source=Podcast&utm_campaign=Episode%2025%20-%20Book%20Speed%20Dating Book Talks: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Book-Talks-Instructions-and-Templates-9076397?utm_source=Podcast&utm_campaign=Episode%2025%20-%20Book%20Talks Tweet Cute by Emma Lord - https://amzn.to/3PjnSOj Dungeons & Drama by Kristy Boyce - https://amzn.to/3ZZT4ai Better than the Movies by Lynn Painter - https://amzn.to/4j327Qj Frankly in Love by David Yoon - https://amzn.to/4h14PnD The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner - https://amzn.to/420FwO9 Some links referenced here are affiliate links. Supporting the podcast through these links comes...

    12 min
  5. FEB 3

    24. Love, Tropes, and Trends: A Deep Dive into YA Romance

    If there’s one genre that has the power to make hearts race, ignite endless daydreams, and leave us with a serious case of the feels, it’s YA romance. Today, we’re diving deep into this beloved genre that has captured the hearts of readers young and old. In this episode, we’ll: Define what makes a YA romance truly shineExplore the formulas and characteristics that keep readers turning the pagesTake a walk through the history of the genre and see how it’s evolved over timeLook at the trends dominating YA romance todayAnd we’ll break down the subgenres that offer something for everyone—from swoony contemporary tales to love stories with a touch of fantasy. Resources Mentioned: Hello Stranger - Katherine Center: https://amzn.to/400NFQ2 Romance Lit Circle Unit: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Romance-Genre-Literature-Circles-or-Choice-Reading-Unit-10524239?utm_source=Podcast&utm_campaign=Episode%2024%20-%20Romance%20Literature%20Circles%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 --> For tips, book recommendations, and connection with other educators follow along on INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/samanthainsecondary/ --> Shop my favorite YA books HERE: https://www.amazon.com/shop/samanthainsecondary Mentioned in this episode: Grab my romance literature circle unit today Romance activities your students will love: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Romance-Genre-Literature-Circles-or-Choice-Reading-Unit-10524239?utm_source=Podcast&utm_campaign=Romance%20Series%20Ad%20Segment

    15 min
5
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

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.

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