

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 17, 2023 • 5min
Monday Mindset: Forget What You Think You Need
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!In this episode, I delve into the concept of forgetting what you think you need. Life happens for us, not to us, and releasing the desire for unnecessary wants can bring about peace and happiness in the present moment. By questioning our perceived needs and taking responsibility for our own happiness, we can embrace a sense of inevitability in our success. I encourage you to let go of expectations, allowing a deeper understanding that happiness is within our control.Here’s to another day of living intentionally.Caitlin

Jul 11, 2023 • 23min
Episode 236: Get the Best Writing Results You've Ever Seen with this Framework
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!Caitlin and Jessica discuss their EBW approach to literary analysis writing in this episode of Teaching Middle School ELA. This proven framework was developed by Caitlin and Jessica when they were middle school ELA classroom teachers. This writing approach provides a basis for other writing genres, offering students a clear structure that helps them become confident writers.Are you enjoying the podcast?Tag us on Instagram @ebacademics and let us know which episode you're listening to!Make sure to subscribe to our channel and leave us a review!Your review helps us reach even more middle school ELA teachers just like you! It would mean so much to us. To leave a review in iTunes, click HERE by scrolling down our show page, selecting a star rating, and tapping “Write a review.” Let us know how this podcast is helping you in your ELA classroom!

Jul 10, 2023 • 3min
Monday Mindset: Stay Brave
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!Today I delve into the power of staying brave. Inspired by Brene Brown's advice, I reflect on a recent batch planning event and the concept of staying brave in moments of uncertainty and vulnerability. Despite the acknowledgement that certain parts of the teaching process can be difficult and challenging, I encourage you to embrace the discomfort. So, when faced with challenging situations, we should stay brave, lean into it, and not give up, because we are capable of overcoming them. Here’s to another day of living intentionally.Caitlin

Jul 4, 2023 • 20min
Episode 235: If Your Students Only Write One Essay this Year, THIS is the One!
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!On this episode of Teaching Middle School ELA, Caitlin and Jessica focus on teaching writing and share a proven approach to teaching literary analysis. They discuss the positive impact of this approach on student growth and test score results. The episode emphasizes the importance of consistency and using text-dependent writing prompts to create a framework for students to build upon and respond to complex questions and text. Listeners will hear Caitlin and Jessica share personal stories and experiences from the classroom, giving valuable insights into the teaching process.Are you enjoying the podcast?Tag us on Instagram @ebacademics and let us know which episode you're listening to!Make sure to subscribe to our channel and leave us a review!Your review helps us reach even more middle school ELA teachers just like you! It would mean so much to us. To leave a review in iTunes, click HERE by scrolling down our show page, selecting a star rating, and tapping “Write a review.” Let us know how this podcast is helping you in your ELA classroom!

Jul 3, 2023 • 3min
Monday Mindset: Let Them
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!Today I’m delving into our expectations of others. Whether it's our partners, kids, or friends, we all have certain expectations. But what happens when these people let us down and fail to meet those expectations? Ultimately, people's behavior reveals their true selves, and it's important to let them be who they are. Remember, others' actions should not impact our own happiness or self-identity. Here’s to another week of living intentionally.Caitlin

Jun 29, 2023 • 17min
Episode 234: Expert Tips for Saving Time and Streamlining Your Planning Without Sacrificing Quality Instruction
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!On this episode of Teaching Middle School ELA, we explore expert hacks for saving time and streamlining planning while maintaining quality instruction. We introduce Chat GPT, a tool that can save time on the front end of planning, and share hacks for finding a go-to place for lessons and creating a distraction-free environment. We also discuss the benefits of using timers and setting reasonable time limits for completing tasks. Are you enjoying the podcast?Tag us on Instagram @ebacademics and let us know which episode you're listening to!Make sure to subscribe to our channel and leave us a review!Your review helps us reach even more middle school ELA teachers just like you! It would mean so much to us. To leave a review in iTunes, click HERE by scrolling down our show page, selecting a star rating, and tapping “Write a review.” Let us know how this podcast is helping you in your ELA classroom!

Jun 27, 2023 • 18min
Episode 233: Transform Your Planning Process and Take Back Your Time: 2 Simple Steps to Start Batch Planning Today
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!On this episode of Teaching Middle School ELA, Caitlin and Jessica discuss the benefits of batch planning–a practice that involves lesson planning for a certain period of time to create lessons for an extended period. Successful batch planning can allow teachers to leave school on time and prevents teachers bringing work home. It also allows for more intentional planning to ensure high-quality, engaging lessons. Listeners are given tips for how to structure large units using the EB Lesson Planning Framework. Are you enjoying the podcast?Tag us on Instagram @ebacademics and let us know which episode you're listening to!Make sure to subscribe to our channel and leave us a review!Your review helps us reach even more middle school ELA teachers just like you! It would mean so much to us. To leave a review in iTunes, click HERE by scrolling down our show page, selecting a star rating, and tapping “Write a review.” Let us know how this podcast is helping you in your ELA classroom!

Jun 26, 2023 • 6min
Monday Mindset: Get Used to Being Uncomfortable
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!Today I’m exploring the topic of embracing discomfort as a means of personal growth and change. Stepping out of your comfort zone and taking risks often leads to a more fulfilling life. Even in the classroom, teachers can bring in new ideas and methods that challenge them and bring positive results for students. By owning your discomfort and using it as a tool for growth, you can improve yourself and your classroom. Here’s to another week of living intentionally. Caitlin

Jun 22, 2023 • 34min
Episode 232: Reclaim Your Personal Time: A Step-by-Step Guide to Leaving School by 3:30
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!On this episode of Teaching Middle School ELA, Caitlin and Jessica discuss the EB Teachers’ Club and their mission to support, inspire, and empower teachers in their roles. This episode dives deep into the importance of creating a personal vision and the power of visualization. Caitlin and Jessica share unconventional approaches to achieving teaching goals and offer personal stories of how their visions manifested into reality. They also suggest creating a vision board or written vision to serve as a constant reminder of the new identity one wants to embody. Are you enjoying the podcast?Tag us on Instagram @ebacademics and let us know which episode you're listening to!Make sure to subscribe to our channel and leave us a review!Your review helps us reach even more middle school ELA teachers just like you! It would mean so much to us. To leave a review in iTunes, click HERE by scrolling down our show page, selecting a star rating, and tapping “Write a review.” Let us know how this podcast is helping you in your ELA classroom!

Jun 20, 2023 • 33min
Episode 231: Making Every Minute Count, No Matter the Length of Your Class Period
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!On this episode of Teaching Middle School ELA, we explore the importance of having a classroom routine and planning framework to save time and aid classroom management. Caitlin and Jessica share practical tips and insights based on their experience, including the importance of using the standards as a guide for strategic lesson planning. They also stress the importance of starting class with a bell work activity that spiral reviews ELA standards, as even a few minutes wasted can mean over 10% of class time lost. With a planning framework and consistent structure, teachers and students can thrive in the classroom.Are you enjoying the podcast?Tag us on Instagram @ebacademics and let us know which episode you're listening to!Make sure to subscribe to our channel and leave us a review!Your review helps us reach even more middle school ELA teachers just like you! It would mean so much to us. To leave a review in iTunes, click HERE by scrolling down our show page, selecting a star rating, and tapping “Write a review.” Let us know how this podcast is helping you in your ELA classroom!