Teaching Middle School ELA

Episode 324: Mini Lessons That Actually Stick (and Take Less Than 10 Minutes)

May 29, 2025
In this lively discussion, the host emphasizes the effectiveness of mini lessons for middle school ELA. These bite-sized lessons pack a powerful punch, enhancing student engagement even during the hectic end-of-year period. Listeners learn practical strategies to implement focused lessons that retain students' attention while maximizing classroom time.
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INSIGHT

Power of Mini Lessons

  • Mini lessons are short, focused bursts of instruction that make a big impact quickly.
  • They help keep students engaged and free up valuable class time.
ADVICE

Focus on One Takeaway

  • Focus each mini lesson on one clear takeaway your students can immediately apply.
  • Avoid overloading by planning lessons around a single key skill or concept.
ANECDOTE

Teaching ELA with Limited Time

  • Caitlin taught ELA part-time in a Catholic school with limited weekly class time.
  • She managed to teach writing and grammar effectively by using hyper-focused mini lessons.
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