Teaching Middle School ELA
Caitlin Mitchell
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jul 22, 2024 • 12min
Monday Mindset: Dream Big
In today's Monday Mindset episode, I discuss how important it is to conquer self-doubt and embrace a mindset where anything is possible. Inspired by the book "10X is Easier Than 2X," I explore the power of setting bold, audacious goals and reflect on how fear or external discouragement can stifle our ambitions. I'll consider personal experiences and even share a few stories that demonstrate how, with the right mindset, the sky’s the limit.Tune in to learn how adopting a mindset of limitless potential can lead to a more fulfilling and innovative life.Here's to another day of intentional living!
Jul 16, 2024 • 27min
Episode 293: Not Enough Time in Your Class Period? Listen to This
Struggling to fit everything into your class period? Discover practical planning strategies that work for various class lengths, whether you have 40 or 90 minutes. Embrace constraints to enhance student growth and focus on what you can control. Learn how to align lesson plans with educational standards and utilize techniques like batch planning to streamline your teaching. Get insights on creating routines that support learning and see how engaging resources can boost student success in your ELA classroom!
Jul 15, 2024 • 16min
Monday Mindset: Opportunity is Risk
In today's Monday Mindset episode, I'm asking you to consider if the key to unlocking your full potential lies just outside your comfort zone. You know...that place that feels risky and uncomfortable. Perhaps embracing risk—both personally and professionally - could be the catalyst for growth and new opportunities that you've been missing! I'll share my own experiences and encourage you to be curious about where you might be holding yourself back from stepping into the unknown. Tune in to uncover how shifting our mindset to view risk as a gateway to learning can make previously daunting tasks more manageable and redefine our baseline for what we consider challenging.You'll learn practical strategies for building your risk tolerance, starting with smaller, calculated risks, and learn the importance of making decisions from a place of love rather than fear. This episode is a call to action to seize opportunities despite uncertainties, encouraging you to live intentionally and embrace the risks that shape you into a better version of yourself.Here's to another day of intentional living!
Jul 9, 2024 • 20min
Episode 292: Summer Lesson Planning Series: Rethink Your Weekly Lesson Plans (And Ditch What You Learned in College)
The hosts dive into the gaps in teacher training that leave new educators unprepared. They advocate for batch planning as a game-changing strategy to create cohesive lesson units across the school year. This approach not only fosters intentional teaching but also helps prevent burnout. Discover the benefits of staying organized and maintaining a work-life balance, while learning how to adapt lesson plans with flexibility. The discussion reveals practical tools and methods to streamline lesson preparation, ensuring teachers can thrive in their classrooms.
Jul 8, 2024 • 12min
Monday Mindset: Just Start
In this Monday Mindset, we're diving into the power of just getting started. This concept might seem simple, but so many of us refrain from taking our first steps out of fear of not being perfect. I want to challenge you to consider the idea that DOING something imperfectly is better and more helpful than NOT doing anything at all.Let's explore the power of embracing imperfection and making progress forward, even in small ways.Here's to another week of intentional living!
Jul 2, 2024 • 16min
Episode 291: Summer Lesson Planning Series: Taking it to the Next Level: Designing Effective "Beyond" Framework
Explore the transformative power of 'beyond lessons' in ELA unit planning, allowing students to creatively demonstrate their understanding. Learn how to craft impactful lessons using standards and essential questions, with insights from literary analysis. Discover how AI can enhance your lesson planning and support diverse student needs. Plus, streamline your process with effective frameworks, making teaching more efficient. Embrace innovation in lesson planning with new technology designed to boost educational outcomes!
Jul 1, 2024 • 15min
Monday Mindset: Forget the Mood You're In
In today's Monday Mindset episode, I'm exploring the true secret to success. It may not be the secret you'd initially think! I want to show you the power behind sticking to your plan, no matter what! Tune in to hear how insights from Leila Hormozi have impacted my perspective on the benefits of consistency and discipline. By sticking to your plan, regardless of your emotional state, you will build resilience, stay organized, and make actual progress toward your goals. It takes practice and we may not always get it right, but intentionally working towards building this discipline will benefit your life in many different areas!Here's to another day of intentional living!
Jun 25, 2024 • 19min
Episode 290: Summer Lesson Planning Series: Elevating Student Mastery with "Through" Framework
Dive into the world of 'through lessons' that boost student mastery through engaging, structured activities. Learn how innovative digital tools streamline lesson planning, making it more efficient for educators. Explore backward planning techniques that prepare students for assessments, essays, and presentations. Discover the launch of a comprehensive ELA portal designed to enhance teaching skills and curriculum access. Perfect for getting a head start on effective lesson planning for the upcoming school year!
Jun 24, 2024 • 10min
Monday Mindset: How to Pour Into Yourself
In this Monday Mindset, I want to discuss powerful strategies to infuse more joy, peace, and intentionality into your life. I'll guide you in identifying activities that fuel your inner soul. You know, like those activities that make you lose track of time! Let's consider the impact integrating more activities like these into your routine, and celebrating every little victory, can have on your life!You'll learn to quiet external noise and focus on what brings you true happiness and fulfillment. Perhaps you'll find that focusing on positive, supportive relationships can uplift your mindset and energy, and walk away with strategies to set boundaries with negative influences!Here's to another day of intentional living!
Jun 18, 2024 • 18min
Episode 289: Summer Lesson Planning Series: Setting the Stage: Crafting Engaging "Into" Framework
Discover the art of crafting engaging 'Into Lessons' that captivate middle school students right from the start. Learn how a structured lesson planning framework can simplify the process and enhance student engagement. Dive into creative strategies like 'popcorn predictions' and 'five word wonder' to make lessons interactive and enjoyable. Explore practical tips for overcoming common planning challenges, and gain insights into utilizing resources effectively to set the stage for successful ELA units.
