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 19, 2023 • 5min
Monday Mindset: Stop Waiting to Be Ready
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!Today I’m exploring why it's important to take action towards your goals rather than just dreaming about them. The difference between those who succeed and those who do not are taking the leap and trying. Waiting to be "ready" will only hold you back, and failure is a valuable learning experience. Stop waiting and start doing whatever it is you desire, whether it's trying out a new thing or making a big change in your life. Here’s to another week of living intentionally. Caitlin
Jun 15, 2023 • 18min
Episode 230: Teach Smarter, Not Harder: Achieving the Perfect Blend of Fun, Rigor, and Learning
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!On this episode of Teaching Middle School ELA, Caitlin and Jessica explore how to maintain rigor in the classroom while engaging learners. Caitlin and Jessica share their structured approach to teaching ELA, which is offered to members of the EB Teachers’ Club. Listeners will hear about a fun and rigorous activity for teaching narrative writing using the game of MASH. These types of lessons and activities make teaching sustainable and enjoyable while also helping students master the standards. Teachers are invited to a free PD workshop hosted by EB Academics in June.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 13, 2023 • 18min
Episode 229: Why a Systematic Curriculum is the Key to Unlocking Student Potential
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!On this episode of Teaching Middle School ELA, Caitlin and Jessica share with listeners the importance of developing a systematic curriculum. They dive into the EB Lesson Planning Framework: "Into, Through, and Beyond" lesson planning. Spiraling activities throughout the year is key to building students' skills and proficiency through repetition. Teachers are invited to attend a free PD workshop on strategies to fit everything in and engage students in their ELA classrooms this month.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 12, 2023 • 4min
Monday Mindset: Your Circle
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!Today, I’m discussing how to live intentionally and make choices that serve us in our lives. The importance of having a supportive community around you is crucial for achieving your vision and dreams. Life is short, and it's imperative to make the most of it because there are no second chances. Take a moment to reflect on whether or not the people you spend your time with are helping you grow. If they don't, it's okay to let them go. Think about your own vision for your life and how to live into that reality. Here’s to another week of living intentionally. Caitlin
Jun 8, 2023 • 20min
Episode 228: Transform Your Teaching and Supercharge Student Learning: Curriculum Organization is Key
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!On this episode of Teaching Middle School ELA, Caitlin and Jessica discuss intentional lesson planning and the benefits of an organized and systematic curriculum. Batch planning is a highly-effective way to organize teaching curriculum and maximize student learning. Caitlin and Jessica provide tips and strategies for effective batch planning and welcome teachers to join them for Batch Planning Live in June.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 6, 2023 • 26min
Episode 227: Teach Everything You Need to in Less Time Without Sacrificing Your Sanity
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!On this episode of Teaching Middle School ELA, Caitlin and Jessica discuss the challenges that teachers face in fitting everything into their class periods. They share four strategies that can help teachers become more confident and in control of their lessons. They also offer tips for prioritizing responsibilities and time management to avoid burn-out. This episode is part of a series focused on professional development for middle school ELA teachers, and listeners won’t want to miss information shared about several programs and resources that EB Academics offers to support teachers. 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 5, 2023 • 4min
Monday Mindset: Become Unstoppable
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!Today, we’re diving into a discussion about becoming an unstoppable force in pursuing your dreams. I’m sharing my personal experience with how fitness has significantly changed my life and mindset, and how it is possible to harness the power of one's intangible qualities to pursue their vision for life. I’d like to encourage you to reflect on your own strengths and what makes them uniquely unstoppable, and to consider how these qualities can help you achieve your goals even when external circumstances change. Join the conversation by sharing your thoughts with me on Instagram @Ebacademics.Here’s to another week of living intentionally. Caitlin
May 30, 2023 • 23min
Episode 226: 9 Reasons Engagement Should be a Top Priority in Your Classroom
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!Let’s face it, teaching can feel overwhelming. There are so many hats that teachers wear, and juggling all those roles can feel unmanageable. Caitlin and Jessica hope to change that feeling for teachers! In today’s episode, they encourage listeners to focus their attention on improving one thing in the classroom: engagement. They list out nine positive effects that creating engaging lessons can have on students, as well as teachers. You won’t want to miss these points, as well as information about all the exciting opportunities happening this summer with EB Academics!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!
May 29, 2023 • 6min
Monday Mindset: Excuses
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!Excuses. All they are is an argument for our limitations. They’re just a reason as to why we can’t hit our goals and grow. I think so many of us do this without even realizing it because it is so much a part of who we are. So, I want you to stop and think about all of the times you are saying,” Well, but…” Hold yourself to the fire, and watch yourself achieve all of your goals. You’re going to love the change that comes with it. Here’s to another week of living intentionally. Caitlin
May 23, 2023 • 14min
Episode 225: Part 2: An End of Year Activity Your Students Will Love: Create Your Own Escape Room
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!In today’s episode, Caitlin and Jessica share the second part of their discussion on how to implement student-led and student-created escape rooms in your classroom. This type of activity is perfect to use at the end of the school year when everyone is needing a break from typical classroom activities. We hope you try this out with your students before the school year ends!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!
