Why Reader Identity Should Be Part of Your Back-to-School Planning [Ep 80] - Middle School Café – Strategies & Support for Middle School ELA Teachers | Lyssna här

The beginning of the school year is about much more than classroom routines and lesson plans. It's also when students begin forming, or reinforcing, the stories they tell themselves about who they are as readers. In this episode, we explore why reading identity matters, how it shapes student behavior, and why confidence is built through experiences rather than encouragement alone. You'll hear practical reflections on how the first few weeks of school can help students begin writing a different story about themselves as readers.

We'll also look at the role teachers play in creating those early experiences. Rather than focusing only on what students need to learn, this episode encourages you to think about the experiences you're intentionally planning and the message your classroom sends about reading.