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 texts. We’ll dig into why reading stamina matters for critical thinking and long-term academic success, and I’ll share practical, classroom-tested strategies to help students stay engaged. From building curiosity and creating a reading-friendly classroom culture to using focus tools like sticky note thinking and self-assessment, you’ll walk away with actionable ideas to help your students become stronger, more confident readers.

Read more in the show notes.

Resources you may find helpful:

• Genre Review Scavenger Hunt
• Finding Just Right Books
• Building Reading Stamina (includes the rubric I use with my class)
• Independent Reading Challenges

Related episodes and blog posts:

• Don’t Skip Genre Review: Why It Matters in Middle School ELA
• Helping Students Find Just Right Books That Spark a Love of Reading
• How to Close Learning Gaps in Reading in Today’s ELA Classrooms
• Helping Students Find Just Right Books: How to Stretch Them Without Frustration

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