Student Led Book Talks: How to Boost Engagement and Thinking [Ep. 18]

Looking for a meaningful way to get students talking about books—and really thinking about what they’ve read? In this episode, I’m diving into how student-led book talks can promote deeper engagement, build speaking confidence, and create space for authentic peer-to-peer conversations in your secondary ELA classroom.

Book talks give students ownership over their reading and discussion process, helping them move beyond surface-level Q&A. I walk you through how to implement these discussions—from building reading into your routine to prepping students for discussion day and stepping back as the teacher so students can take the lead. If you’re ready to create a student-centered reading culture that supports critical thinking and communication skills, this episode is for you.

Read more in the show notes. 

Related Resources:

• Student Led Book Talks for Reader’s Workshop
• Student Led Discussions
• Book Clubs in Secondary ELA
• Free Book Club Planning Guide

Related blog posts: 

• Book Talks – Engaging Students in Reading Through Peer Discussions
• Student Led Book Talks
• Engage Students in Reading with Book Clubs!

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