Teaching Middle School ELA

I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!So, you’ve taught the structure. You’ve modeled examples. You’ve practiced together. And still... your students are struggling to write a strong paragraph. Sound familiar?In today’s episode, I’m breaking down exactly what to do when your students still aren’t getting it — including practical strategies, mindset shifts, and scaffolds that actually work. Let’s dive in and take the frustration out of paragraph writing once and for all.Join me: https://www.ebteacher.com/writing-workshop

I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!In this episode, I’m sharing a writing tool that’s often overlooked but absolutely transformative: the Evidence Tracker. This simple organizer helps students slow down, organize their thinking, and write stronger, clearer arguments. I’ll show you exactly how to use it—and how to shake it up with a few creative twists that your students will love. If you’ve ever struggled with students writing off-track paragraphs or vague justifications, this episode is for you. Let’s dive in! Join me: https://www.ebteacher.com/writing-workshop

I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!Welcome back to Teaching Middle School ELA! In this episode, I share a behind-the-scenes reflection on what I’d keep—and what I’d change—with writing instruction if I were still in the classroom next year. I dive into our Evidence-Based Writing (EBW) Approach, showing you how a clear, repeatable framework can simplify instruction and build confident writers without the overwhelm. Plus, I offer actionable strategies for integrating writing into every lesson, and invite you to join my free 3-day writing workshop in July for even more hands-on tips. Join me: https://ebteacher.com/writing-workshop

I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!Think you need to teach grammar daily to see results? Think again. In this episode, I share why less is more when it comes to grammar instruction—and how focusing on just two skills per month (using our 8-step EB Grammar Framework) leads to deeper understanding and stronger student writing. Tune in to learn how to make grammar meaningful, manageable, and impactful.🎧 Listen now + grab your seat for the free writing workshop at ebteacher.com/writing-workshop!

Dive into essential writing skills that set the stage for student success from day one! Discover the importance of crafting claims and supporting them with evidence. Learn how to simplify writing instruction without overwhelming your students. Uncover practical strategies that help students become confident and capable writers, laying a strong foundation for their academic journeys. Plus, check out a free collaborative resource to enhance your teaching!

Discover a streamlined approach to lesson planning that won't eat up your weekends! Explore the 'Into, Through, and Beyond' framework to create engaging activities that promote student mastery. Learn innovative strategies like Socratic seminars and creative literary projects to keep kids engaged and thinking critically. Plus, find out how to reuse effective activities for efficient preparation. Don't miss the opportunity for free resources to enhance your teaching skills!

I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!Getting students excited about writing doesn’t start with the “perfect” prompt — it starts with purpose. In this episode, Caitlin dives into how to create real buy-in by helping students understand why writing matters, how to take ownership of their work, and what it means to see themselves as writers. You’ll walk away with tangible strategies to make writing more engaging, effective, and empowering — for both you and your students.🎯 Get on my newsletter, so you don't miss the info for my 3-Day Writing Workshop in July. You can do so by grabbing my free Mock Trial Murder Mystery at ebteacher.com/mysterytrial

Feeling overwhelmed as a middle school ELA teacher? Discover the 80/20 Rule, a game-changer for classroom management, where focusing on the 20% of effective strategies can lead to 80% of your teaching impact. Learn how to simplify planning with batch techniques and boost student engagement. Say goodbye to guilt about letting go of less effective methods and walk into the next school year with newfound confidence!

I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!In this episode of Teaching Middle School ELA, Caitlin flips the script on traditional first-day activities by making the case for launching your writing unit on day one — yes, really! While students may still be groggy and navigating the chaos of a new school year, Caitlin shares how to spark curiosity and get them excited about writing right from the start. You’ll learn a simple yet powerful strategy to build engagement and confidence before diving into structure and essays, setting the tone for meaningful writing all year long. To stay connected with us about promotions, freebies, events, and professional development opportunities, Please join our EB Teacher's ELA Portal Priority List: ebteacher.com/portal

I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!In this episode of Teaching Middle School ELA, Caitlin tackles a topic many teachers may feel tempted to brush off—planning ahead. With the end-of-year chaos in full swing, thinking about next school year might seem impossible. But Caitlin shares why carving out just a bit of time now to plan can make a huge difference come August. Drawing on her own classroom experience and insights from thousands of ELA teachers, she walks you through simple, manageable strategies to ease your future workload, reduce stress, and set yourself up for a smoother, more enjoyable start to the new school year. To stay connected with us about promotions, freebies, events, and professional development opportunities, Please join our EB Teacher's ELA Portal Priority List: ebteacher.com/portal