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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:

Where Do We Go From Here? - 060 Mar 31, 2020

Show notes

In today’s episode, Kara shares her experience with school closure, moving to distance learning, and balancing teaching content with looking after her students’ wellbeing. Kara offers several fun ideas to nurture relationships and joy, even in this difficult time, plus we discuss two ELA activities that are creative, meaningful, and easily transferred to the online world we find ourselves in.

Links mentioned in this episode:

https://www.rileyreadsya.com/blog/15-creative-ideas-to-build-community-in-your-online-classroom

https://www.instagram.com/rileyreadsya/

https://www.truity.com/test/enneagram-personality-test

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Instagram-Activity-An-Evidence-Based-Resource-1786460

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:

Why You Need to Bring Creativity in the Classroom with David Rickert - 059 Mar 24, 2020

Show notes

Today’s guest, David Rickert, shares his expertise regarding incorporating creativity in the classroom. With over twenty years of educational experience, he has a wealth of knowledge to share. In this episode, David offers simple mindset shifts that will help you approach standards, assessments, and daily lesson plans creatively.

Links mentioned in this episode:

http://davidrickert.com/2020/03/02/creative-activities-in-ela/

https://www.instagram.com/rickertdraws/

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:

The Power In Classroom Libraries with Kristy from 2 Peas and a Dog - 058 Mar 17, 2020

Show notes

In today’s episode, middle school reading expert Kristy, from 2 Peas and a Dog, shares her perspective on how having a classroom library enhances the quality of reading engagement in the classroom. She also shares how to choose the right books for your library, because as Kristy notes, a classroom library is a curated collection of texts arranged with your students in mind.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Blog https://2peasandadog.com/category/classroom-library

TPT https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/2peasandadog

IG https://www.instagram.com/2peasandadog/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/2peasandadog

Pinterest https://www.pinterest.ca/2peasandadog/

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:

Essential Tips to CRUSH Your Teaching Interview - 057 Mar 10, 2020

Show notes

Today, I have asked Carrie to share with you her best tips on how to set yourself up for success during your next teaching interview. With spring right around the corner, some of you might be peeking at openings in other districts or positions, and even if not, it never hurts to be prepared because you just never know when your dream job could pop up. The tips she shares are golden, so grab your notepad and let’s dive in!

Links mentioned in this episode:

https://www.educators2educators.com/

https://www.instagram.com/educators2educators/

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:

Engaging Grammar Ideas with Lauralee Moss from Language Arts Classroom - 056 Mar 03, 2020

Show notes

When you think about grammar instruction, do you feel excited and passionate or shudder and groan? I find that the topic of grammar elicits very strong and often opposing responses among ELA teachers. Basically, you either love it or you hate it.

For those of you who love grammar instruction, you are in luck because today’s podcast episode is all about how to knock it out of the park in your classroom. And if you currently despise teaching grammar, or just don’t find the time to fit it into your curriculum, this episode is going to give you some fun, simple, and creative ways to incorporate it more.

Lauralee Moss is a bit of a grammar guru, and she takes a wonderfully unique approach to teaching it. She believes that grammar should be more than a ten minute mini-lesson and practice session each day. She believes in teaching students that grammar is the art of using language precisely, and she weaves it into almost every component of her Language Arts class.

Links mentioned in this episode:

ebacademics.com/grammar

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:

Help Eliminate Classroom Behavior Problems with This Easy and Engaging Activity - 055 Feb 25, 2020

Show notes

Have you ever considered that one reason your students misbehave in the classroom is because they are not engaged? You may be working your butt off to ensure that they’re meeting the standards and becoming the best readers and writers they can be, but if your lessons aren’t engaging, there’s bound to be some classroom management issues you’re facing.

When students are engaged in their learning, their attention and focus increase, they’re motivated to practice higher-level critical thinking skills, and they enjoy school more!

We're sharing a super simply, highly-engaging activity that hits on NUMEROUS ELA standards that you can implement today!

If you're ready, we're ready for you. Become an EB Teacher today and join The EB Teachers' Club right here -> https://ebacademics.mykajabi.com/eb-teachers-club

Links mentioned in this episode:

ebacademics.com/membership

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:

Case Study with Chelsey Cabarrubias - 054 Feb 20, 2020

Show notes

"I have a confidence and a calmness to me knowing that I’m meeting standards, but I’m also making them have fun. I don’t have to go into tomorrow thinking they may not like this because I know that they’re going to love what we’re doing. It’s an overall happiness."

Those are just a few of Chelsey's transformations that she's seen as a result of joining The EB Teachers' Club.

If you've been feeling like your lessons are disjointed and pieced together, and that you don't know how to truly elevate your students' learning and mastery of the standards through engaging and rigorous content, then listening to Chelsey's case study will give you the encouragement you need to realize that truly, anything is possible.

We just have to be courageous and bold enough to step out and make a change in our lives.

If you're ready, we're ready for you. Become an EB Teacher today and join The EB Teachers' Club right here -> https://ebacademics.mykajabi.com/eb-teachers-club

Links mentioned in this episode:

ebacademics.com/membership

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:

The Best Way to Start and End Your ELA Class - 053 Feb 17, 2020

Show notes

Teachers consistently reach out to us asking how to make their classrooms run more smoothly because they are struggling to accomplish everything that needs to get done in a single period.

Think about it. Teachers are expected to manage taking attendance, checking homework, chatting with students about missing work or grades, passing out all the things, and collecting others--all while keeping twenty to thirty kids learning. In a 45 minute period, we are expected to do it all!

Luckily, this problem of classroom chaos is probably one of the few things in teaching that has a shockingly simple solution. And I mean SO simple. I promise you, if you give my suggestions today a try, you will see massive improvements in not only your students’ focus and productivity, but also in your ability to be calm and accomplish all the logistical and organizational pieces that make a great classroom.

Links mentioned in this episode:

ebacademics.com/freebellringers

ebacademics.com/engaging

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:

Case Study with Alexa Borota - 052 Feb 12, 2020

Show notes

I’m sure you can all relate to a feeling that Alexa so openly shared with me today. Sometimes, as teachers, we find ourselves in a rut--lacking inspiration, energy, or confidence in the classroom.

It could be due to a particular unit that isn’t clicking, some classroom personalities that aren’t quite jiving, or simply a time when life outside of school is so hectic, draining, or challenging that our happiness and success at work are affected.

While these feelings and seasons in teaching are totally normal, they still completely suck. There is no doubt about it. Fortunately, Alexa stumbled upon our podcast during one of these very seasons, and in her words, the rest is history!

Links mentioned in this episode:

ebacademics.com/detective

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:

Surviving Valentine's Day in Middle School - 051 Feb 10, 2020

Show notes

There is no doubt about it--Valentine’s Day is one of the craziest days of the school year in a middle school classroom. Hormones and red carnations fly, and I will tell you from my own experience that the day can either be incredible or a complete nightmare.

Today, I will share my tips and tricks for creating a lesson on Valentine’s Day that will engage your students, feed on their energy and enthusiasm, and still teach rigorous content.

Links mentioned in this episode:

ebacademics.com/engaging

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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