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Teaching Middle School ELA — Courses
Teaching Middle School ELA

Welcome to the Teaching Middle School ELA Podcast, where we help English Language Arts teachers create dynamic, engaging lessons while balancing the everyday responsibilities of teaching middle school.

I’m Caitlin Mitchell, a longtime ELA educator and curriculum creator, and I know firsthand how challenging it can be to manage grading, planning, and student needs—while still trying to have a life outside the classroom. That’s why every Tuesday and Thursday, I bring you practical strategies, curriculum inspiration, and innovative teaching ideas to help you feel confident, prepared, and energized.

Whether you’re looking to revamp your writing instruction, streamline your planning process, or engage even the most reluctant readers and writers, you’ll find actionable support here. You’ll also hear real classroom stories, fresh lesson ideas, and occasional interviews with other passionate educators.

If you teach reading and writing to middle schoolers and want to stay inspired and up-to-date with best practices in ELA education, you’re in the right place. Tune in every week and let’s transform your teaching—together.

Latest Episodes:

Episode 365: Monday Mindset: Feeling Stuck? This Episode Will Help You See Why That’s a Good Thing. Nov 10, 2025

Show notes

You know that uncomfortable middle space — where you can see the vision of who you’re becoming, but you’re not quite there yet? That’s what today’s episode is all about.

Caitlin opens up about her own season of “in-between,” where growth felt slow and uncertain — and how she learned to see that space not as wasted time, but as sacred ground for transformation.

If you’re in a chapter that feels unfinished — whether it’s in your classroom, your career, or your personal life — this episode is your reminder that the in-between is proof you’re growing. 🌱

Stop Using RACE: The Better Writing Framework Students Actually Understand Nov 06, 2025

Show notes

In today’s episode, Caitlin dives into why the RACE formula falls short for essay writing—and how the EBW Approach takes students from “answering questions” to thinking like real writers. You’ll learn how to recognize when your students are ready to level up, and what simple steps to take to help them move from summary to true analysis.

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👉YouTube Video on How to Grade an Essay Quickly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOpcjGPIRTw&t=2s

👉Past Podcast Episodes:

Episode 338: How to Feel More Confident Teaching Writing (Even If You Don’t Love It)
https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/2071023/episodes/17499844-episode-338-how-to-feel-more-confident-te...

Episode 248: Stop Writing Sample Essays with Your Students; Do THIS Instead
https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/2071023/episodes/13669702-episode-248-stop-writing-sample-essays-wi...

Episode 238: Increase Students' Writing Scores in 30 Minutes or Less
https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/2071023/episodes/13132908-episode-238-increase-students-writing-sco...

👉Grab your free download for the Case of the Missing Pearls: ebteacher.com/pearls

Episode 364: Make Writing Feel Easy Again: 3 Simple Systems That Actually Work Nov 04, 2025

Show notes

Today, on the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast, Caitlin breaks down exactly why writing feels overwhelming — and how the problem isn’t you, it’s the system.

You’ll discover three simple, teacher-tested frameworks that will help you:
✅ Simplify writing instruction without reinventing the wheel
✅ Give faster, more meaningful feedback
✅ Bring fun (and confidence!) back into your students’ writing

If you’re ready to feel calm, confident, and joyful teaching writing again — this episode is your roadmap.

Episode 363: Monday Mindset: What Courage Looks Like in the Classroom (Hint: It’s Not Loud) Nov 03, 2025

Show notes

When we think of courage, we often picture grand, dramatic moments — standing up to someone, taking a huge leap, or making a bold change. But in today’s Monday Mindset episode, we’re exploring a different kind of courage — the quiet, everyday kind that often goes unseen.

Caitlin shares her own story of rebuilding confidence and identity after a long recovery, and how real courage sometimes looks like simply showing up — doing the small, hard things no one else notices.

This episode is a powerful reminder that courage isn’t always loud… sometimes, it’s just choosing to keep going.

Episode 362: The Mystery Basket Game That Turns Any Lesson Into a Competition Oct 30, 2025

Show notes

Ready to turn ordinary review time into pure excitement? In today’s episode of The Teaching Middle School ELA Podcast, we’re bringing you another hit from our Classroom Games Series: Mystery Baskets 🧺✨

This activity works with any ELA concept—grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, root words, you name it—and adds just the right amount of suspense and competition to get your students hooked. They’ll be answering questions, placing their “bets,” and holding their breath to see which basket holds the big points!

Tune in to learn how to set it up, how to keep it fast-paced and fair, and why this game is always a classroom favorite.

Episode 361: How to Fix Classroom Culture Fast (Without Starting Over) Oct 28, 2025

Show notes

Your classroom culture starts with you. 💛 In this week’s episode, Caitlin shares three powerful mindset shifts that can completely transform how you show up—for yourself and your students. Tune in to discover how small inner changes can create big outer results.

From Mark Traver's article:

A Psychologist Shares The ‘90-Second Rule’ To Survive Emotional Waves

https://www.forbes.com/sites/traversmark/2025/03/10/a-psychologist-shares-the-90-second-rule-to-surv...

Episode 360: The Knockout Game That Makes Review Days 10x More Fun Oct 23, 2025

Show notes

Welcome back to our Games Series! Today, we’re bringing the energy with one of the most exciting review games you’ll ever play in your ELA classroom—Knockout.

This game transforms any concept—whether it’s text structures, grammar, or figurative language—into a high-stakes, fast-paced classroom battle. Students aren’t just answering questions; they’re defending their spaces, protecting their wins, and trying to knock each other out as they review key skills.

In this episode, you’ll learn exactly how to set it up, play it, and customize it for any ELA topic. Get ready to turn quiet review time into pure, focused fun—and watch your students beg to play again!

The Free Halloween Escape Room Your Students Will Freak Out Over Oct 21, 2025

Show notes

Halloween week in middle school can feel like complete chaos—costumes, candy, and zero focus. But what if you could channel that energy into something productive and fun?

In this special bonus episode, Caitlin shares a free, done-for-you Haunted Forest Escape Room that keeps your students engaged, practicing key ELA skills, and (miraculously!) on task during one of the wildest weeks of the year.

You’ll learn how this activity follows our signature Into–Through–Beyond framework—starting with a high-energy Plot Structure Showdown, moving into an interactive escape room challenge, and ending with a rigorous Response to Literature.

Forget the stress of planning for Halloween week. Grab your free Haunted Forest Escape Room, https://www.ebteacher.com/haunted-forest press play, and discover how to make this spooky season both fun and academically meaningful!

Episode 359: The Treasure Hunt Review Game That Keeps Students Begging for More Oct 16, 2025

Show notes

Welcome back to our Games Series! Today’s episode is all about Digging for Treasure — a review game that brings all the excitement of Battleship straight into your ELA classroom. With every correct answer, students get to “dig” for hidden treasures on their grids, turning grammar, vocabulary, and figurative language practice into a fast-paced, strategy-packed adventure.

This game is fun, competitive in the best way, and completely customizable to any ELA topic. Plus, if you’re an EB Teacher, you can find a ready-to-use version of Digging for Treasure in our Grammar Program under Low-Prep Games!

If your students usually dread review days, this game will change that forever — guaranteed. ⚓💎

Episode 358: How to Stop Comparing Yourself to Other Teachers Oct 14, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, we’re tackling something every teacher faces — comparison. Whether it’s classroom decor, lesson ideas, or student success stories, it’s so easy to look at others and feel like we’re falling short.

But here’s the truth: your classroom doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s. Your journey doesn’t have to match another teacher’s path.

Join me as we unpack how comparison quietly steals our joy, how to shift from comparison to celebration, and how embracing your own teaching style can empower both you and your students.

If you’ve ever scrolled through social media and felt that “not enough” feeling — this one’s for you. 💛

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