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
Oct 30, 2025 • 11min
Episode 362: The Mystery Basket Game That Turns Any Lesson Into a Competition
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!Ready to turn ordinary review time into pure excitement? In today’s episode of The Teaching Middle School ELA Podcast, we’re bringing you another hit from our Classroom Games Series: Mystery Baskets 🧺✨This activity works with any ELA concept—grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, root words, you name it—and adds just the right amount of suspense and competition to get your students hooked. They’ll be answering questions, placing their “bets,” and holding their breath to see which basket holds the big points!Tune in to learn how to set it up, how to keep it fast-paced and fair, and why this game is always a classroom favorite.
Oct 28, 2025 • 44min
Episode 361: The Secret to Classroom Culture? It Starts With Your Mindset
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!Your classroom culture starts with you. 💛 In this week’s episode, Caitlin shares three powerful mindset shifts that can completely transform how you show up—for yourself and your students. Tune in to discover how small inner changes can create big outer results. From Mark Traver's article:A Psychologist Shares The ‘90-Second Rule’ To Survive Emotional Waveshttps://www.forbes.com/sites/traversmark/2025/03/10/a-psychologist-shares-the-90-second-rule-to-surv...
Oct 23, 2025 • 10min
Episode 360: From Quiet Review to Total Chaos: Knockout, the Game Students Can’t Stop Playing
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!Welcome back to our Games Series! Today, we’re bringing the energy with one of the most exciting review games you’ll ever play in your ELA classroom—Knockout.This game transforms any concept—whether it’s text structures, grammar, or figurative language—into a high-stakes, fast-paced classroom battle. Students aren’t just answering questions; they’re defending their spaces, protecting their wins, and trying to knock each other out as they review key skills.In this episode, you’ll learn exactly how to set it up, play it, and customize it for any ELA topic. Get ready to turn quiet review time into pure, focused fun—and watch your students beg to play again!
Oct 21, 2025 • 11min
Bonus Halloween Episode: Don’t Plan a Thing for Halloween Week—Grab This Free Escape Room Instead
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!Halloween week in middle school can feel like complete chaos—costumes, candy, and zero focus. But what if you could channel that energy into something productive and fun?In this special bonus episode, Caitlin shares a free, done-for-you Haunted Forest Escape Room that keeps your students engaged, practicing key ELA skills, and (miraculously!) on task during one of the wildest weeks of the year.You’ll learn how this activity follows our signature Into–Through–Beyond framework—starting with a high-energy Plot Structure Showdown, moving into an interactive escape room challenge, and ending with a rigorous Response to Literature.Forget the stress of planning for Halloween week. Grab your free Haunted Forest Escape Room, https://www.ebteacher.com/haunted-forest press play, and discover how to make this spooky season both fun and academically meaningful!
Oct 16, 2025 • 9min
Episode 359: This Simple Treasure Hunt Game Will Change How You Do Review Forever
Explore the thrilling world of the Digging for Treasure review game, which transforms traditional study methods into an adventurous classroom experience. Adapt familiar games like Battleship to engage students in grammar, vocabulary, and figurative language. Learn how to set up the game with customizable prompts and interactive treasure hunting. Discover tips for effective gameplay, keeping the excitement alive on review days. With low-prep and assessment options, this game ensures students stay motivated and eager to learn!
Oct 14, 2025 • 28min
Episode 358: Letting Go of Comparison — Your Journey, Your Classroom
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!In this episode, we’re tackling something every teacher faces — comparison. Whether it’s classroom decor, lesson ideas, or student success stories, it’s so easy to look at others and feel like we’re falling short.But here’s the truth: your classroom doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s. Your journey doesn’t have to match another teacher’s path.Join me as we unpack how comparison quietly steals our joy, how to shift from comparison to celebration, and how embracing your own teaching style can empower both you and your students.If you’ve ever scrolled through social media and felt that “not enough” feeling — this one’s for you. 💛
Oct 9, 2025 • 9min
Episode 357: The Game That Turns Vocabulary, Grammar, and More Into Student Obsessions
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!In this episode, Caitlin breaks down exactly how to bring this hilarious, energy-packed game into your ELA classroom — from simple icebreakers and vocabulary swaps to full-on academic reviews. You’ll learn creative ways to adapt the rules, sneak in rigorous practice, and keep your students begging for “just one more round.”So if you’re looking for a way to make learning stick — and have your students obsessed with vocabulary and grammar — grab your cards (or just your imagination) and tune in. This is hands-down one of the most fun ways to mix engagement with real academic impact!
Oct 7, 2025 • 26min
Episode 356: Stop Staring at the Mountain in Front of You: Do This Instead
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!Feeling overwhelmed by everything on your plate—lesson planning, grading, or just making it through the week? You’re not alone. In this Tuesday episode, Caitlin shares a powerful mindset shift that can completely change how you approach both teaching and life: the power of micro-wins.Instead of staring at the mountain in front of you and feeling stuck, learn how to take small, meaningful steps that build momentum, confidence, and joy in your work. You’ll discover how tiny victories—whether it’s finishing one lesson plan or simply drinking your coffee while it’s still hot—can transform your mindset and your classroom.Tune in and get inspired to stop chasing perfection and start celebrating progress—one micro-win at a time.
Oct 2, 2025 • 7min
Episode 355: ELA Games Series: Why Bluffing Might Be the Most Fun Way to Practice ELA
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!Today on the Teaching Middle School ELA Podcast, we’re bringing you one of our favorite high-energy classroom activities: The Bluff Game – Language Arts Edition! 🙌This fast-paced game is perfect for practicing vocabulary, grammar, reading skills, and more—all while keeping your students on their feet (literally!) and fully engaged. Whether they truly know the answer or are just bluffing, your kids will be laughing, learning, and begging to play again.Tune in to learn exactly how to set it up, play, and differentiate it for your students. It’s easy, low-prep, and guaranteed to make ELA fun! 🎉
Sep 30, 2025 • 19min
Episode 354: ChatGPT Series: 3 ChatGPT Shortcuts Every ELA Teacher Needs to Save Hours on Prep
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!Tired of spending endless hours planning, grading, and creating materials? In today’s episode, Caitlin shares three powerful ways to use ChatGPT to cut prep time in half—without sacrificing quality or your unique teaching style. From drafting discussion questions to batch-prepping warm-ups, you’ll walk away with practical shortcuts you can start using right away.Tune in and reclaim your time
