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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 327: How the 80/20 Rule Can Transform Your ELA Classroom Jun 10, 2025

Show notes

Feeling overwhelmed by everything you’re expected to plan, prep, and grade as a middle school ELA teacher? You’re not alone — but there is a better way.

In this episode, Caitlin breaks down the 80/20 Rule (aka the Pareto Principle) and how applying it to your classroom can help you work smarter, not harder. You’ll learn how to identify the 20% of strategies and routines that create 80% of your impact — and how to let go of the rest without guilt.

Plus, she’ll show you how batch planning fits perfectly into this mindset and invite you to a free 3-day workshop that will help you simplify your planning, boost engagement, and walk into next year with confidence.

Sign up for the free workshop here: ebteacher.com/workshop

Check out the YouTube video on grading an essay: https:/

326: Writing Engagement Starts Day One—Here’s How I Hook Them Jun 05, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Teaching Middle School ELA, Caitlin flips the script on traditional first-day activities by making the case for launching your writing unit on day one — yes, really! While students may still be groggy and navigating the chaos of a new school year, Caitlin shares how to spark curiosity and get them excited about writing right from the start. You’ll learn a simple yet powerful strategy to build engagement and confidence before diving into structure and essays, setting the tone for meaningful writing all year long.
To stay connected with us about promotions, freebies, events, and professional development opportunities, Please join our EB Teacher's ELA Portal Priority List: ebteacher.com/portal

Episode 325: Why Planning Ahead Saves You Time (and Sanity) in the Long Run Jun 03, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Teaching Middle School ELA, Caitlin tackles a topic many teachers may feel tempted to brush off—planning ahead. With the end-of-year chaos in full swing, thinking about next school year might seem impossible. But Caitlin shares why carving out just a bit of time now to plan can make a huge difference come August. Drawing on her own classroom experience and insights from thousands of ELA teachers, she walks you through simple, manageable strategies to ease your future workload, reduce stress, and set yourself up for a smoother, more enjoyable start to the new school year.

To stay connected with us about promotions, freebies, events, and professional development opportunities, Please join our EB Teacher's ELA Portal Priority List: ebteacher.com/portal

Episode 324: Mini Lessons That Actually Stick (and Take Less Than 10 Minutes) May 29, 2025

Show notes

In this upbeat episode of the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast, Caitlin shares how short and sweet can still be powerful! Discover how mini lessons can make a big impact—especially during the busy end-of-year days—while giving you more breathing room and keeping students engaged.

Make sure you're on our email list, so you know when/if I host a Writing Workshop in July! You can grab our free Batch Planning Guide at the link below, and you'll automatically be added to our list! https://www.ebteacher.com/free-10-tips-for-Batch-Planning

To stay connected with us about promotions, freebies, events, and professional development opportunities, Please join our EB Teacher's ELA Portal Priority List: ebteacher.com/portal

Episode 323: What to Focus On This Summer to Set Yourself Up for a Stress-Free Fall May 27, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast, Caitlin shares how you can make the most of your summer without letting school take over. Learn which planning tasks are truly worth your time, what you can skip, and how batch planning can set you up for a smooth fall—while still enjoying your well-deserved break!

Join me for my June workshop focused on the EB Batch Planning Approach! This is a workshop you do NOT want to miss. Reserve your free spot here: ebteacher.com/workshop

YouTube Links Mentioned:

The Perfect Classroom Management Strategy for Middle School: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZkdeEZL8rw&t=13s

How to Improve Student Behaviors in Middle School: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBzAqEiOsgk&t=53s

To stay connected with us about promotions, freebies, events, and professional development opportunities, Please join our EB Teacher's ELA Portal Priority List: ebteacher.com/portal

Episode 322: Mic Drop Moments: 3-Sentence Speeches for the Last Day of School May 22, 2025

Show notes

In this short but powerful episode of the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast, Caitlin shares a meaningful, low-prep activity to help students reflect and find closure at the end of the year: the 3-sentence speech. It’s a simple way to honor growth, celebrate the journey, and give every student a voice.

To stay connected with us about promotions, freebies, events, and professional development opportunities, Please join our EB Teacher's ELA Portal Priority List: ebteacher.com/portal

Bonus Episode: How to Turn a Mystery into a Full-Class Mock Trial May 21, 2025

Show notes

How to Turn a Mystery into a Full-Class Mock Trial

Want to teach argument writing in a way your students will actually love? In this episode, I'm walking you through how to pair a murder mystery narrative with a full mock trial experience—no extra planning required.

You'll learn:

How to launch The Bountiful Case mystery in your classroom
How to guide students through claim, premise, evidence, and justification using our Case Report
How to set up and run a full mock trial (including tips for large classes!)
Ways to keep it simple—or totally zhuzh it up

This lesson is one of my favorite ways to build writing, speaking, and critical thinking skills—and you can get the full resource bundle completely free.

🎁 Download the Mystery + Mock Trial Kit here:
ebteacher.com/mysterytrial

💡 Want even more ideas like this? Join me for my free Summer Engagement Workshop, where I’ll show you how to bring this kind of energy and purpose to every part of your school year.
Register here: ebteacher.com/workshop

Episode 321: Closing Time: End-of-Year Routines to Wrap Up Your Classroom, Grades, and Sanity May 20, 2025

Show notes

In today’s episode of the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast, Caitlin shares simple, effective end-of-year routines to help you wrap up the school year with clarity and calm. If May feels like a whirlwind, this is your guide to finishing strong—without the stress. Let’s make the last few weeks feel a little more doable and a lot more intentional.

Caitlin's Journaling Spotify Playlist:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6NTHZhBj1LwIvfRF5gAFd8?si=368bcb58b9084045

📋 Closing Time Checklist
Use this checklist to simplify your end-of-year systems and finish strong—without losing your mind:

🧼 CLASSROOM WRAP-UP

☐ Pick one zone to clean each day (desk, supply area, library, etc.)
☐ Recruit your "Classroom Closing Crew" to help with specific jobs
☐ Label, store, and pack materials with next year in mind

📝 GRADES + ASSESSMENTS

☐ Set your final due dates and communicate them clearly
☐ Only grade assignments that reflect meaningful learning
☐ Use student self-assessment and simple rubrics to save time
☐ Batch-grade using 25-minute time blocks (Pomodoro method)
☐ Write 2–3 quick reflection notes about each student’s growth

🧠 YOUR SANITY

☐ Schedule a “Final Friday” solo work block to close out loose ends
☐ Make a “Start of Next Year” checklist and save it in your planner
☐ Give yourself permission to pause—don’t plan next year just yet

✅ Pro Tip: Print this checklist, highlight what works for you, and tuck it somewhere visible for the final two weeks of school. Small steps = a smoother finish.
To stay connected with us about promotions, freebies, events, and professional development opportunities, Please join our EB Teacher's ELA Portal Priority List: ebteacher.com/portal

Episode 320: Creative End-of-Year Reflections That Stick May 15, 2025

Show notes

The final weeks of school don't have to be a countdown to summer filled with movies and worksheets. This pivotal time offers a golden opportunity to help your students reflect on their journey and recognize just how far they've come in your classroom.
Ready to finish your year strong? Listen now to discover how intentional reflection can create the perfect bookend to your students' ELA journey.

Caitlin's Journaling Spotify Playlist:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6NTHZhBj1LwIvfRF5gAFd8?si=368bcb58b9084045

📗 6-Word Memoirs Examples:

“Wrote an essay. Survived. Barely.”
“I found my voice in writing.”
“Books changed my brain this year.”
“Started shy, ended loud and proud.”
“I read. I wrote. I grew.”
“Grammar still haunts my dreams. Help.”
“I never liked reading… until now.”

📝 Example Prompts to Use in Hexagons:

“A time I felt proud of my work…”
“Something I learned about myself as a reader…”
“One writing skill I improved this year…”
“A story or book that stuck with me…”
“A challenge I faced and overcame…”
“What I’ll remember most about ELA…”
“I used to think ___, but now I know ___.”
“This year in one word: ____”

To stay connected with us about promotions, freebies, events, and professional development opportunities, Please join our EB Teacher's ELA Portal Priority List: ebteacher.com/portal

Episode 319: How Prepping on Fridays Can Change Your Life May 13, 2025

Show notes

Imagine this: It’s Friday afternoon, the classroom is finally quiet, and you’re standing at a crossroads—do you take a little extra time to prep for next week, or do you head out and deal with it later? If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. In today’s episode of the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast, we’re diving into something that might just transform your teaching life: How Prepping on Fridays Can Change Your Life.

It might sound like a small shift, but choosing to spend just 30 to 45 minutes each Friday setting yourself up for the week ahead can create a ripple effect that touches every part of your life. Less weekend stress. More clarity on Monday. A stronger connection to your goals—and yes, more time to actually enjoy your weekend.

This episode is your invitation to stop dreading Sunday nights and start reclaiming your peace. We’ll talk about the mindset, the strategy, and the practical steps to make Friday prep a habit you actually look forward to. You deserve to step into each week calm, confident, and ready. Let’s make it happen—starting today.

To stay connected with us about promotions, freebies, events, and professional development opportunities, Please join our EB Teacher's ELA Portal Priority List: ebteacher.com/portal

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