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
Jun 4, 2019 • 19min
How I Completely Changed My Summer Reading Assignment - 012
About three years ago, I made the switch to an evidence-based writing packet for a short story for my summer reading assignment. (I also gave students the option to challenge themselves and read at least one other book of their choosing! I provide them with a list as well if they don’t know where to start. This also helps parents out over the summer, too, if they really do want their child reading - which hopefully they do!) So I want to walk you through WHY I chose to move to this model for my summer reading assignment and why it’s been so incredibly effective. To find more information about this episode, head over to ebacademics.com/12. To sign up for our free Narrative Writing Masterclass, Three Game-Changing Ideas for How You Teach Narrative Writing, go to ebacademics.com/narratives You can also follow us on Instagram @ebacademics. Thanks for tuning in, and be sure to leave a review if you're loving what you're listening to!
May 28, 2019 • 10min
A Counterintuitive Tip to Uplevel Your Narrative Writing - 011
In today’s episode we’re going to be covering narrative writing, but more specifically how to easily incorporate one strategy that’s going to help your students compose a strong narrative. And if you’re already finished with school, which I am so jealous about (!), today’s episode is still relevant because you can take this simple and effective strategy and implement it at the beginning of the school year as well. To find more information about this episode, head over to ebacademics.com/11. To sign up for our free Narrative Writing Masterclass, Three Game-Changing Ideas for How You Teach Narrative Writing, go to ebacademics.com/narratives You can also follow us on Instagram @ebacademics. Thanks for tuning in, and be sure to leave a review if you're loving what you're listening to!
May 21, 2019 • 14min
Surviving the End of the Year - 010
In today’s episode we’re going to be talking about some easy things you can begin implementing in your classroom to help you survive the end of the year. Because, let’s be honest, that can really be what it feels like sometimes at this point - SURVIVAL. So, let’s get through the end of the year together using these 3 simple ideas you can use today if you’d like! To find more information about this episode, head over to ebacademics.com/10. You can also follow us on Instagram @ebacademics. Thanks for tuning in, and be sure to leave a review if you're loving what you're listening to!
May 14, 2019 • 27min
Classroom Environment with Holly Hodges from Research and Play - 009
In this episode, we get deep into talking about the all important classroom environment with Holly Hodges from the blog Research and Play. Although Holly is a Kindergarten teacher, her knowledge of the Reggio-Emilia and Responsive Classroom approaches provides us as middle school ELA teachers with some great takeaways. This episode will give you a lot to think about when preparing for the next school year. I promise there will be areas of your teaching practice that you'll want to revisit and revamp after hearing what Holly has to share. I know I sure do! To find more information about this episode, head over to ebacademics.com/9. You can also follow us on Instagram @ebacademics and Holly @researchandplay. Thanks for tuning in, and be sure to leave a review if you're loving what you're listening to!
May 7, 2019 • 10min
9 Best Short Stories to Teach - 008
I’m going to walk you through my school year month by month and share the short stories I like to use within that month. To preface this, I will say that I don’t get to all of these short stories every year, but I have them in my back pocket to break out at any moment where I can fit them in! Thanks for listening to the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast! We appreciate you! Visit us here at: https://ebacademics.com/ If you'd like to reach out and say hi, you can find us at @ebacademics on Instagram!
Apr 30, 2019 • 14min
Mindfulness for YOU - 007
Today we’re going to be jumping into talking about Mindfulness for YOU. We’ve seen this idea of mindfulness for our students time and again, but I think it’s really important for us as teachers to be practicing mindfulness as well. Now, I know we’re all super busy all the time. So you may ask, when on earth am I going to find time to fit mindfulness into my day? Well, to that I say, you can my friend. And you must. The two simple strategies I’m going to give to you today have been the two that have had the biggest impact on my life, and I know they absolutely can have that same impact on your life. Thanks for listening to the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast! We appreciate you! Visit us here at: https://ebacademics.com/ If you'd like to reach out and say hi, you can find us at @ebacademics on Instagram!
Apr 23, 2019 • 12min
Easy Way to Keep Students Engaged through the End of the Year - 006
Today we’re going to be talking about how to keep students engaged through the end of the school year. I know those last few weeks and days of the year can be a challenge to maintain student interest, so let’s go ahead and get started! Thanks for listening to the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast! We appreciate you! Visit us here at: https://ebacademics.com/ If you'd like to reach out and say hi, you can find us at @ebacademics on Instagram!
Apr 16, 2019 • 13min
The Problem With One-Pager Assignments - 005
Today we’re going to discuss one of the MAJOR problems with one-pagers. But more importantly, we’ll also be talking about how to ensure we don’t make this big mistake again. Thanks for listening to the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast! We appreciate you! Visit us here at: https://ebacademics.com/ If you'd like to reach out and say hi, you can find us at @ebacademics on Instagram!
Apr 11, 2019 • 12min
4 Powerful Results from Using a Clear Writing Framework
Teaching writing is TOUGH. But today, we’re going to take a deep look at 4 powerful results you can quickly begin to see in your classroom if you use a very clear writing framework with your students. Thanks for listening to the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast! We appreciate you! Visit us here at: https://ebacademics.com/ If you'd like to reach out and say hi, you can find us at @ebacademics on Instagram!
Apr 2, 2019 • 12min
Constructive Criticism: How to Change Your Mindset and Be Open to Feedback - 003
Today's episode is all about growing as a teacher, but more importantly not being AFRAID to grow. We’ll be talking about 3 specific ways you can grow in your craft without feeling nervous about or threatened by feedback from administrators. Thanks for listening to the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast! We appreciate you! Visit us here at: https://ebacademics.com/ If you'd like to reach out and say hi, you can find us at @ebacademics on Instagram!
