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 p...
Episode 448: Stop Doing Everything: Classroom Jobs That Make Your Day Easier
This week's Teaching Middle School ELA podcast episode: The fastest way to feel less overwhelmed in your middle school ELA classroom is not a new curriculum or a stricter rule. It’s a better system for all the tiny tasks that steal your attention while you’re trying to teach. Caitlin and Genevieve share a practical approach to classroom jobs that focuses on reducing teacher cognitive load, tightening classroom procedures, and giving students meaningful responsibility without creating a complicated job board you have to manage.
The takeaway is simple: find the friction in your room, start small, and...
Episode 447: Monday Mindset: You'll Regret What You Didn't Do
You know that feeling when you’re weighing a decision and every option seems loaded? That tense, looping thought of “What if I make the wrong choice?” Today, Caitlin shares a story that cuts straight through that noise and lands on a simple truth: the regret that sticks is often the choice you never made.
Caitlin talks about a real crossroads moment, the kind that feels exciting and terrifying at the same time. For one person, it was the leap to teach English abroad and build a life in a new country. For many middle school ELA teache...
Episode 446: Word Study Across the Grades (5th Grade Foundations + Scaling in 6th–8th)
In Part 2 of this behind-the-scenes conversation, we sit down with EB Academics curriculum writer Pat to break down what effective word study looks like from 5th through 8th grade and how to build a system that becomes more rigorous each year without becoming overwhelming.
We dive into why 5th grade begins with syllables, sounds, and decoding before introducing vocabulary, how spelling rules are intentionally concentrated in 5th grade, and what to do when older students still need foundational support.
You’ll also learn how to revisit 5th grade word study without making students feel “behind,” strate...
Episode 445: Monday Mindset: Let Go of Expectations
That sinking feeling when something doesn’t work out the way you pictured it can hit hard, especially in teaching. You plan the lesson, you see it in your head, you walk in ready, and then the room goes quiet in the worst way. Today we’re sharing a Monday Mindset that starts with a personal story of unmet expectations and turns it into a practical tool you can use all year long in your middle school ELA classroom.
If this resonates, subscribe for more mindset and planning support, share this with a teacher friend who needs it...
Episode 444: The Truth About Word Study: Behind the Scenes with Our Curriculum Writer
Memorising vocabulary lists can look like “rigor,” but we’ve all watched it evaporate the moment the quiz ends. We want word learning that transfers into real reading and real writing, so we brought back our curriculum writer and word study specialist Pat to walk through what actually makes vocabulary instruction stick for middle school ELA students.
We dig into the heart of word study: teaching word parts (Latin and Greek roots, prefixes, suffixes, and Old English patterns) so students build a toolkit for tackling unfamiliar academic vocabulary. We also explain why we include a quick review of syl...
Episode 443: Monday Mindset: The Good Stuff!
Another Monday Mindset today! We talk about a small but powerful gratitude practice that fits into real teacher life, plus the positive psychology research that explains why it works. A statistic shared from Happify highlights how a one-time act of thoughtful gratitude can create an immediate 10% increase in happiness and a 35% reduction in depressive symptoms, while also reminding us that the benefit fades unless we repeat the habit. That detail matters because it reframes gratitude as a simple routine you practice, not a personality trait you either have or don’t.
If this resonates, subscribe for weekly supp...
Episode 442: How to Weave EB Materials into Your District-Mandated Curriculum
In today's Teaching Middle School ELA Podcast episode, We start with Genevieve’s non-negotiable: teach a writing and thinking framework first. When students learn how to make a claim, back it with evidence, and justify their reasoning, they stop starting from scratch in every unit. That same structure carries into discussions, constructed responses, and essays, whether the text comes from your district textbook or supplemental resources. We also talk about why “teach the standard” beats “finish the pages,” how to use skill-based passages to front load a target skill, and how to turn textbook questions into stronger writing prompts and discus...
Episode 441: Monday Mindset: Change Starts from Within
Another inspiring Monday Mindset eipisode, We walk into a new school year with fresh notebooks, a new seating chart, and a quiet hope that this year will finally feel lighter, only to realize a few weeks later that the stress feels familiar. If you’re a middle school ELA teacher who’s tired of waiting for the roster, admin support, or the schedule to magically fix everything, this Monday Mindset is a necessary reframe.
We talk through a simple idea that can genuinely change your day to day: if you want this school year to be different than...
Episode 440: Breakthroughs in Grammar Instruction: The 3 Must-Have Elements (Part 2)
In today's Teaching Middle School ELA podcast episode, Grammar shouldn’t live on a worksheet and die on a quiz. We want middle school writers who can actually use conventions, sentence structure, and punctuation to communicate clearly, with purpose, and for a real audience. That’s what drives this part two breakdown of our grammar mini-series: practical, classroom-ready moves that make grammar transfer into student writing.
If you’re ready for grammar instruction that shows up in drafts, subscribe for weekly middle school ELA support, share this with a teammate, and leave a review so more teachers can fin...
Episode 439: Monday Mindset: You Are Valuable
We start August with a Monday Mindset that pulls the focus back where it belongs, on you as a human being with limited energy. We walk through a simple but uncomfortable question: who got the best of you last year, and who got the scraps? From there, we reframe energy as a finite resource and talk about why “self care” is not the point. The point is protecting what refills you, so you can be more patient, more creative, and more present in the classroom and at home.
You will leave with a clear next step: identify one...
Episode 438: Breakthroughs in Grammar Instruction: The 3 Must-Have Elements (Part 1)
In today's Teaching Middle School ELA Podcast episode, we're tackling one of the most common classroom frustrations: teaching grammar in a way that actually sticks. We discuss why students often forget grammar rules when it comes time to write and share a simple three-part framework that helps them understand, practice, and apply grammar with confidence. If you're looking for a more effective approach to grammar instruction this school year, this episode is for you.
Want to learn more about our approach?
📘 EB Grammar Program
https://www.ebteacher.com/grammar-program
Episode 437: Why Your Bell Ringers Aren't Working (And What to Do Instead)
In today's Teaching Middle School ELA Podcast episode, we're talking all about bell ringers—and why so many of them end up feeling like busy work instead of meaningful learning. Curriculum writer Pat shares a simple weekly framework that helps students build reading, writing, grammar, and vocabulary skills in just the first few minutes of class.
You'll also learn how to plan purposeful bell ringers, avoid grading overload, and create routines that actually stick. If you're ready to make every minute count, this episode is for you!
Subscribe & Review in iTunes
...
Episode 436: Monday Mindset: It's All About Your Mood
What if the only thing standing between you and a productive week is waiting until you "feel like it"? This Monday Mindset episode is a reminder that your mood doesn't get to dictate your movement. We talk about why motivation is unreliable, how action creates momentum, and share a simple challenge to help you stop procrastinating and start making progress—just five minutes at a time.
Here's to a week of living intentionally.
Episode 435: Get Your Students to Rock their Text-Dependent Paragraphs with this Strategy
In today's Teaching Middle School ELA Podcast episode, we're talking about one of the biggest challenges in teaching literary analysis: helping students write strong evidence-based responses before they tackle a full essay. You'll learn how a simple mini Response to Literature routine can strengthen students' claims, evidence, and justification throughout an entire novel unit—making the final essay feel much more manageable. If you're looking for a practical way to improve both reading comprehension and writing, this episode is for you.
Looking for ready-to-use resources? Check these out:
📖 The Case of the Stolen...
Episode 434: Increase Students Writing Scores in 30 Minutes or Less
In today's Teaching Middle School ELA Podcast episode, we're diving into one of the biggest challenges middle school ELA teachers face: finding enough time to teach writing without spending hours grading. We'll explore why these two struggles are actually connected and share two practical strategies to help students become stronger writers while making your writing instruction more consistent, efficient, and easier to manage. If you're ready to spend less time reteaching and more time seeing real growth, this episode is for you.
Want to take the next step? Join our FREE Writing Workshop this A...
Episode 433: Monday Mindset: Go to a Dark Room
Your life gets loud fast: notifications, inbox urgency, endless content, and the constant pressure to keep up. Then a real moment hits and suddenly the only questions that matter rise to the surface: What am I doing with my life? What do I actually want? Am I living the way I want to be living? Today’s Monday Mindset is a quiet, honest pause for middle school ELA teachers who feel pulled in every direction and want their time and attention back.
Here's to another week of living intentionally. If this hit home, subscribe, share it with a...
Episode 432: Are You Making This Mistake with Your Student Writing Samples?
In today's Teaching Middle School ELA podcast episode, Your next writing unit might not be “too hard” or “too time-consuming” at all. The real problem could be the way we use model essays and the way we test our writing prompts before students ever touch the page.
We start with a candid question many middle school ELA teachers are afraid to answer: do you dread teaching writing? If you’ve ever felt your stomach drop when a writing unit shows up in the plan book, you’re not alone. Between 47-minute class periods, huge stacks of essays, and students...
Episode 431: Get Your Students Actually Enjoying Writing with this FUN Activity
Another Teaching Middle School ELA Podcast episode, Most students can pull a quote. The hard part is explaining why that quote proves anything. We’re tackling the #1 skill gap middle school ELA teachers keep naming again and again: justification (also known as analysis or explanation) and we’re doing it with one of my favorite high-energy writing activities.
Grab the free download at ebteacher.com/pearls and join our FREE 3-day writing workshop at ebteacher.com/writing-workshop. If this helps your students, subscribe, share the episode with another ELA teacher, and leave a quick review.
Episode 430: Monday Mindset: Forget What You Think You Need
Another Monday Mindset, The fastest way to feel stuck as a middle school ELA teacher is to believe your peace depends on someone else doing their job differently. If admin were more supportive, if class sizes were smaller, if the district stopped changing everything, then you’d finally feel steady. I get it, and I’ve lived it, but that belief quietly gives away your power.
If this lands, subscribe so you don’t miss future Monday Mindset resets, share it with a teacher friend, and leave a quick review so more ELA teachers can find the suppor
Episode 429: Is the Reason Your Students Struggle With Writing Simpler Than You Think?
In today's Teaching Middle School ELA Podcast episode, watching a class freeze at a blank page is one of the fastest ways to lose your confidence as a writing teacher and it’s also one of the most preventable. I’m breaking down the evidence-based writing approach (EBW) and why it works as a thinking framework, not just an essay format, so you can stop reteaching the same skills from scratch every time you assign a response.
If you want to go deeper, I’m hosting a free live writing workshop starting July 21 where I’ll walk you throu...
Episode 428: Re-Air: The Best of Writing Episodes: It's Time to Drop the RACE Strategy.
The RACE writing formula simply stands for “restate, answer, cite, and explain”. This is widely used by middle school ELA teachers teaching writing as it makes a great tool to help learners construct their answers in a clear, logical format. However, this formula proves to be challenging when students need to move into essay writing.
If you’re one of the middle school ELA teachers who’s seeking help with teaching writing, but are required to use the RACE writing formula or a mashed up version of it, then listen in as Caitlin and Jessica share what we call...
Episode 427: Monday Mindset: Stay Brave
The moment you want to quit is often the moment you are about to grow. I’m sharing a simple phrase that has been sticking with me lately: stay brave. Not “be brave someday” or “become brave when things calm down” but stay brave right now, especially when you feel pulled back toward the familiar way of doing things because it feels safer.
You’ll also hear a practical way to handle rough days when a lesson bombs and students are checked out. Instead of spiralling, we try a “so what?” reframe and focus on what you can act...
Episode 426: If Your Students Only Write One Essay This Year, THIS is the One!
In today's Teaching Middle School ELA podcast episode, Caitlin shares why evidence-based writing is the one writing genre every middle school ELA teacher should prioritize. Discover how focusing on literary analysis can build confident writers, strengthen critical thinking, and create transferable skills that benefit students across every subject—all while making writing instruction simpler and more effective.
Join us this July for our FREE Writing Workshop: https://www.ebteacher.com/writing-workshop
Episode 425: Monday Mindset: The Two Words That Will Save Your Energy This Year
That moment when you open a brutal parent email before sunrise, or realise your admin still doesn’t see how hard you’re working, can hijack your whole day. We’re sharing a simple mindset that cuts through the noise: “Let them.” Two words, but they can change how you carry the job.
We talk through the “Let Them” theory (popularised by Mel Robbins) and why so much teacher burnout comes from the mental, emotional, and energetic load of fighting what we can’t control.
If you want a practical teacher mindset for classroom management, boundaries, and...
Episode 424: How to Cut Your Planning Time in Half Without Cutting Corners
In today's Teaching Middle School ELA podcast episode. I walked through four concrete ways to cut your lesson planning time in half without cutting corners. First, I talked about building a truly distraction-free planning block so you can get back into deep focus and actually finish. Then I used Parkinson’s law to your advantage by setting a timer you honor for planning and grading, including a realistic approach to essay feedback that prioritizes targeted comments over marking every mistake. I also tackled decision fatigue by choosing one trusted go-to source for lessons and curriculum so you stop re-shopping fo...
Episode 423: Two Things to Do This Summer That Will Change Your Entire School Year
In today's Teaching Middle School ELA Podcast episode, I tackled the three beliefs that keep middle school ELA teachers stuck: the idea that you cannot plan until you know your students, the fear that batch planning takes too much time up front, and the frustration that schedules always change anyway. You will hear why planning foundations early makes differentiation easier, why one focused planning stretch beats constant week to week planning, and how floating days keep your scope and sequence flexible when assemblies, reteaching, or pacing surprises pop up.
If you want more support, check the link i...
Episode 422: Monday Mindset: Get Used to Being Uncomfortable
Our Monday Mindset Episode for today is about Discomfort is not your enemy, it’s your evidence. We open with a raw teaching memory: a first day in front of students, every word scripted, terrified of getting it wrong and being exposed. If you’ve ever tried a new lesson, a new routine, or a new approach and immediately thought, “That was messy, so I should never do it again,” you’ll feel seen here. We dig into why our brains chase certainty, how perfectionism sneaks into classroom decisions, and why the shaky moments often mean you’re right at...
Episode 421: The Real Reason You're Still at School at 6 PM (And It's Not Your To-Do List)
If you have ever looked up at the clock and realized you are still in your classroom at 6 PM, we want you to hear this clearly: the real problem is not your to-do list. It is the belief underneath it. I walk through the story so many teachers live, the custodian making rounds while we are still grading, planning, and convincing ourselves that this is just “what good teachers do.”
To make it practical, I give a simple three-step framework built for middle school ELA teachers who want real teacher time management and better work life balance: set a...
Episode 420: It's Not About How Much Time You Have — It's About What You Do With It
In today's Teaching Middle School ELA Podcast episode, I stopped blaming short periods and long blocks and show how a simple daily framework makes any middle school ELA schedule feel doable. I explained why predictable starts and calm endings beat cramming every ELA skill into every day, then shared sample pacing moves for 50, 75, and 90 minutes.
• reframing the “not enough time” problem as a missing structure
• building a three-part class period with strong bookends
• using daily bell ringers to protect instructional minutes
• closing with independent reading to reduce chaos and build culture
• creating a weekly cadence...
Episode 419: Monday Mindset: Stop Waiting to Be Ready
In today's Monday Mindset episode, I talked through the mindset shift that changes the game for teachers and for anyone chasing a bigger life: Ready isn’t a feeling, it’s a Decision. I share what I told a friend who asked how I went from an idea to building EB Academics, and why the real “secret” isn’t a magic checklist. It’s the willingness to take the first step and keep taking micro steps, even when the outcome is unclear. We also get practical about the mid-June to August spiral: you promise next year will be different, you rest, yo...
Episode: 418: You Didn't Become a Teacher to Feel Like This — Here's How to Get Back to Loving It
In today's Teaching Middle School ELA podcast episode, Caitlin gets real about teacher burnout and the challenges middle school educators face every day. She challenges common myths about lesson planning, rigor, and engagement, while sharing practical ways to protect your energy and mindset. You'll also learn a simple spiraling strategy that helps students build mastery over time—with a fun, MASH-inspired writing activity that keeps engagement high without adding more work to your plate.
If you want more support,
📌 Join the free workshop at ebteacher.com/workshop
👉 Grab the...
Episode 417: The Real Reason Your Students Aren't Retaining What You Teach (And How a Simple Framework Fixes It)
Do your students struggle to retain skills from one unit to the next? You're not alone.
In this episode, I explored why standards mastery often feels out of reach for middle school ELA teachers and uncovered the planning habits that may be standing in the way. I discussed three common beliefs that prevent students from achieving true mastery and introduced the Into, Through, and Beyond Framework—a simple but powerful approach to curriculum design that prioritizes retention over coverage.
You'll discover:
✅ Why teaching a skill once isn't enough for mastery
✅ The difference between coveri...
Episode 416: Monday Mindset: Life Is Too Short for the Wrong Circle
🎙️ In today's Monday Mindset episode...
Who you spend time with matters more than you think. In this episode, I shared a powerful reminder that our mindset, confidence, and outlook are often shaped by the people around us—both inside and outside of school.
You'll learn how to protect your energy, set healthy boundaries, and avoid letting other people's negativity or limiting beliefs influence your own goals and growth. Plus, I shared a simple mindset shift that can help you navigate challenging conversations and school cultures without losing sight of what's possible.
If you...
Episode 415: Stop Planning Week to Week — There's a Better Way and It Changes Everything
In today's Teaching Middle School ELA podcast episode, I challenged the idea that Sunday planning sessions are just part of being a teacher. Let's explore how week-to-week planning can contribute to burnout, disconnected instruction, and the constant feeling that you're forgetting something important. You'll hear why students engage more when learning feels connected and purposeful, and how intentional planning can strengthen both instruction and classroom culture.
I also unpacked three common beliefs that keep teachers stuck in reactive planning and shared a more effective approach to curriculum mapping, writing instruction, and reading unit planning. If you've ever...
Episode 414: Why You're Always Running Out of Time (And It's Not Because Your Class Period Is Too Short)
🎙️ In today’s Teaching Middle School ELA podcast episode...
Ever feel like there’s never enough time to get through your lesson? You're not alone. In this episode, Caitlin breaks down why ELA pacing feels so challenging and shares four practical strategies to help you reclaim instructional time, reduce overwhelm, and create a more sustainable planning system.
You'll learn how to use standards-aligned bellwork, plan from the standards first, batch plan your curriculum, and spiral key skills so students retain learning all year long.
If you're ready for calmer classrooms, stronger engagemen...
Episode 413: Monday Mindset: The One Thing They Can Never Take From You
🎙️ In today’s Monday Mindset episode...
When teaching feels like a constant stream of new mandates, less time, and less control, it’s easy to feel powerless. But what if the one thing that matters most can never be taken from you?
We’re talking about resilience, protecting your energy, and a simple mindset shift that helps you stay grounded no matter what’s happening around you. Plus, Caitlin shares her favorite “Laughing Buddha” approach for dealing with frustrating situations without losing your peace.
Listen in and ask yourself: What’s one thing you’re...
Episode 412: What We Would Have Done Differently This Year — And What We're Keeping for Next Year
In today’s episode of the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast, Caitlin is joined by EB teachers Genevieve and Melinda for an honest conversation about what worked this school year, what they would change next year, and the small shifts that made a big difference in their classrooms. From classroom management and student independence to planning systems, positive reinforcement, conferences, AI tools, and organization strategies, this episode is packed with practical, teacher-tested ideas you can take into next school year.
If you are already reflecting on ways to make next year smoother, more organized, and more engaging for...
Episode: 411: How to Keep Students Engaged When Everyone (Including You) Is Done
In today's Teaching Middle School ELA Podcast, I share the most powerful lever I’ve seen for middle school ELA engagement: making engagement your north star. Not entertainment. Not fluff. Engagement that lives right alongside rigor and standards-based instruction. When students are genuinely invested, they learn more, they push through hard parts instead of shutting down, and their growth actually shows up in their work. And here’s the part every teacher wants to hear: engagement also makes classroom management easier, because so many “behavior problems” are really boredom problems in disguise.
If this resonates, subscribe for weekly mi...
Episode 410: Monday Mindset: The Victim Mindset
In today's Monday Mindset episode, You’ll hear concrete mindset shifts: separating valid feelings from limiting narratives, finding gratitude without pretending, advocating for yourself, and returning to the one lever that actually moves your life your choices. We end with a question you can sit with all week: where are you placing your happiness in someone else’s hands?
If this lands, subscribe, share it with a colleague or friend who feels trapped, and leave a review so more teachers can find this Monday Mindset.
Episode 409: Could Becoming a Happier Teacher Be as Easy as This?
In today's Teaching Middle School ELA podcast episode, The fastest way to make next year feel different isn’t a new binder or a prettier calendar. It’s a single belief you stop treating like a fact. As we hit the end-of-year home stretch, I want to pause and name what you’ve done: you showed up for kids on low sleep, graded the essays, survived the assemblies, handled the behavior, and kept going even when you felt like you were drowning. If this year felt unusually hard, you’re not alone and you’re not imagining it.
If you...
