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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:

Writing Workshops - Are They Really Effective? Part 1 - 210 Feb 07, 2023

Show notes

If you are only using a writer’s workshop model with your classes, you are probably running into a few problems. Your students may be having a “social hour” during independent writing time, be lacking the skills of giving effective criticism, or a few students may even be dominating the class discussions while others are completely tuned out. You probably can’t give your students the individual attention they need, so you have no idea what their final draft will actually look like. In today’s episode we discuss all of the issues with writer’s workshops and why they aren’t effective.

Are you enjoying the podcast?
Tag us @ebacademics and let us know which episode you're listening to!

Make sure to Subscribe and leave us a Review!

Your review helps us reach even more middle school ELA teachers just like you! It would mean so much to us. To leave a review in iTunes, click HERE and scroll down to Rating and Reviews. Click on "Write a Review" and let us know how this podcast is helping you in your ELA classroom!

Other episodes you might enjoy:

Monday Mindset: Moving Forward Despite Fear Feb 06, 2023

Show notes

What is something that you are scared, nervous, or worried about? If we let it stop us, fear will hold us back from life experiences. It’s important to move forward despite the fear. Take a moment and face that fear. How will you feel if you don’t do it? How will you feel if you do?

Here’s to another week of intentional living.
Caitlin

The BEST Tip for Engaging Reluctant Readers - 209 Jan 31, 2023

Show notes

It’s so difficult to get some students actively engaged in silent reading time. They’ll either stare at the book shelf for what feels like hours, or continuously pick a book and immediately return it back to the shelf. If you’re experiencing this in your classroom, then it’s time to give your silent reading time a burst of energy and some new life. In today’s video I walk you through an amazing Blind Date With a Book Activity that will get even your most reluctant readers excited!
Are you enjoying the podcast?
Tag us @ebacademics and let us know which episode you're listening to!

Make sure to Subscribe and leave us a Review!

Your review helps us reach even more middle school ELA teachers just like you! It would mean so much to us. To leave a review in iTunes, click HERE and scroll down to Rating and Reviews. Click on "Write a Review" and let us know how this podcast is helping you in your ELA classroom!

Other episodes you might enjoy:

Inspiration to Others Jan 30, 2023

Show notes

Remember life isn’t always about you. Your decisions impact others. YOU get to be a motivator and set a positive example to those around you, even when you aren’t trying to. It’s about those around you. It’s not about you. Here’s to another great week of living intentionally.

Bonus Episode: Inclusion & Paraprofessionals: How to Create the Magic Jan 26, 2023

Show notes

General education teachers often struggle with how to best utilize a paraprofessional in their classroom. Today Jennifer Hofferbe,r from Sped Prep Academy, joins us to help fill in the gaps.
Are you enjoying the podcast?
Tag us @ebacademics and let us know which episode you're listening to!

Make sure to Subscribe and leave us a Review!

Your review helps us reach even more middle school ELA teachers just like you! It would mean so much to us. To leave a review in iTunes, click HERE and scroll down to Rating and Reviews. Click on "Write a Review" and let us know how this podcast is helping you in your ELA classroom!

Other episodes you might enjoy:

3 Activities to Master the Speaking and Listening Standards - 208 Jan 24, 2023

Show notes

You have to be intentional when focusing on the speaking and listening standards. Your middle school students probably use a lot of “ums”, “likes”, or awkward pauses when speaking. You may even have a hard time getting them to construct arguments when they give a presentation or participate in a class discussion. In this episode we're going to walk you through 3 effective strategies that you can immediately implement to get your students to master the speaking and listening standards in an engaging way.
Are you enjoying the podcast?
Tag us @ebacademics and let us know which episode you're listening to!

Make sure to Subscribe and leave us a Review!

Your review helps us reach even more middle school ELA teachers just like you! It would mean so much to us. To leave a review in iTunes, click HERE and scroll down to Rating and Reviews. Click on "Write a Review" and let us know how this podcast is helping you in your ELA classroom!

Other episodes you might enjoy:

Monday Mindset: Accepting Honesty Jan 23, 2023

Show notes

Sometimes it's difficult to take a good hard look at ourselves, but it’s vital if we want to make changes. It’s important to be fully honest with ourselves in order to be called into the next best version of who we are. This is how we get to make changes and receive the parts of ourselves that we want to be. What part of yourself do you truly want to be honest about? Here’s to another week of living intentionally.

Using Podcasts to Cover the Speaking and Listening Standards - 207 Jan 17, 2023

Show notes

Are you just assuming that you are covering the speaking and listening standards every time your students participate in a class discussion? If so, you are not alone. However, we need to spend more time intentionally addressing the nuances of these standards. Today, I’m going to walk you through an engaging activity that will have your students truly practicing the speaking and listening standards. It will also set them up for success in future class discussions so you can be sure that you’re checking off those standards every time they participate.
Are you enjoying the podcast?
Tag us @ebacademics and let us know which episode you're listening to!

Make sure to Subscribe and leave us a Review!

Your review helps us reach even more middle school ELA teachers just like you! It would mean so much to us. To leave a review in iTunes, click HERE and scroll down to Rating and Reviews. Click on "Write a Review" and let us know how this podcast is helping you in your ELA classroom!

Other episodes you might enjoy:

Monday Mindset: Receiving vs. Going After it Jan 16, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, I explore the concept of "going after it" vs "receiving" when it comes to abundance in our lives. I discuss the idea that constantly pushing and striving for more can actually block us from receiving the abundance that is already present in our lives. Whether you're looking to improve your finances, relationships, or overall well-being, this Monday Mindset will provide you with an interesting perspective around shifting toward a receiving way of being for living a more abundant life.

3 Ways to Play One ELA Game - 206 Jan 10, 2023

Show notes

It’s such a waste of time to use an amazing activity in an ELA lesson and then forget about it. Why spend all of that time and energy creating it, only to use it once? Not to mention the time you spend explaining the process to your students. Why not reuse the activity all year long? We like to call this process rinsing and repeating. It is a super effective way to keep your students engaged while ensuring they are mastering the standards and concepts being taught. In today’s video, I’m talking all about 3 ways to play one ELA game, so you can rinse and repeat it all year long!
Are you enjoying the podcast?
Tag us @ebacademics and let us know which episode you're listening to!

Make sure to Subscribe and leave us a Review!

Your review helps us reach even more middle school ELA teachers just like you! It would mean so much to us. To leave a review in iTunes, click HERE and scroll down to Rating and Reviews. Click on "Write a Review" and let us know how this podcast is helping you in your ELA classroom!

Other episodes you might enjoy:

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