100% Engagement (Part 2) [Ep 286]

What do you do when last period feels like it’s dragging and everyone, including you, is running on fumes? In part two of our conversation with Brian Sztabnik and Susan Barber, we share quick, high-energy strategies to reset the room, from Top Chef–inspired build challenges to two-sentence horror stories and poetry puzzles that get students moving and thinking fast. We also talk meme projects for Pride and Prejudice, character playlists for Frankenstein, and how to build a classroom culture where it’s safe to care. Most importantly, we remind you that engagement doesn’t have to be nonstop chaos. Sometimes quiet reading and plot review are exactly what your students need, and what you’re doing already matters. Resources: 100% Engagement Listening Guide (FREE!) Watch BNT episodes on YouTube! Shop Our Faves . Related Episodes: Episode 96, How to Select Choice Reading + Our 20 Favorite Classroom Books Episode 191, Project Based Learning: An Interview with Danielle Hicks Episode 282, We’re Building Our ELA Units WRONG. Here’s How to Fix It Episode 284, 100% Engagement (Part 1) ✨ SHOW NOTES: "Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!" Head to bravenewteaching.com/waitlist to become a beta tester for BNT University! Support the show 📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩‍💻 Join Happy Hour! Curriculum Rehab Down with the Reading Quiz Shop the BNT Resource Library Connect with us on Instagram @bravenewteaching

You can listen to 100% Engagement (Part 2) [Ep 286] online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

100% Engagement (Part 2) [Ep 286] is an episode from Brave New Teaching by Marie Morris & Amanda Cardenas, Secondary ELA Teachers.

This episode is 31:51 long.

This episode was published on Feb 19, 2026.

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