Motivating Students through Book Talks with Mary Pat from Just Add Students

Middle School Café - A Podcast for Secondary ELA Teachers

In this episode, we explore the benefits of book talks and their impact on students' motivation as students promote books they loved to their peers. Join me as I interview Mary Pat from Just Add Students, who shares her firsthand experience with implementing book talks in the classroom.

Unveiling the secrets of effective book talks, Mary Pat unravels the art of captivating hooks, genre introductions, concise summaries, insightful analysis, and compelling selling points. Through these persuasive presentations, students become advocates for their favorite books, creating a reading buzz that fosters curiosity and a genuine interest in reading.

Book talks can be a powerful tool for getting students excited about reading and inspiring them to develop an appreciation for literature. Discover how book talks can foster a culture of reading in your classroom.

In this episode on book talks:

• Book talks were implemented as a monthly activity to promote reading and generate excitement among students.
• Students were given the opportunity to give book talks multiple times per year.
• Audience surveys focused on their individual interest (or not) in the book and provide the teacher with valuable information about they type of books students are interested in.
• A rubric was used to assess and guide students' book talks, focusing on elements like a hook, book information, analysis, and selling points.

Connect with Mary Pat

• Just Add Students Blog.
• Ready-to-use book talk templates
• Grab a free reading teacher toolbox here.

Don’t forget to play along in the Summer Series Challenge. You can find all the details on Instagram @middleschoolcafe -look for the highlight!

Be sure to join the Secondary ELA Facebook group where we will be continuing the conversation about the power of book talks!

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