Teaching Middle School ELA

Imagine spending just 30 to 45 minutes on Fridays to prep for the week ahead. This small shift can significantly reduce your weekend stress and provide clarity by Monday. Learn practical tips to enhance your organization and reconnect with your goals. Embrace a mindset of calmness and confidence, allowing you to actually enjoy your weekends. Ditch the Sunday night dread and reclaim tranquility in your teaching life!

I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!In this episode, you’ll discover simple yet powerful strategies to spark curiosity and connection in your classroom—all while keeping things manageable for you. Let’s flip the script on end-of-year burnout and finish strong with purpose, clarity, and heart. You’ve poured so much into your students all year—now let’s wrap it up in a way that honors that work. You’re almost there, and you’re doing amazing.Links mentioned in the episode:Jenna Copper Blog Post on Discussion Panels: https://jennacopper.com/panel-discussions-make-your-students-the-experts-in-five-simple-steps/Discussion questions mentioned in episode:Here are some ideas for this or that to spark discussion—make sure you choose ones that are appropriate for your class, so please use your discernment.It’s better to take a risk and fail vs. It’s better to play it safe and succeedPeople can change who they are vs. People stay the same deep downIt’s more important to be honest vs. It’s more important to be kindThe past shapes who we are vs. We decide who we becomeLeaders should always listen to others vs. Leaders should trust their own judgment mostEveryone deserves a second chance vs. Some actions can’t be forgivenRules are meant to be followed vs. Rules are meant to be questionedSuccess is based on hard work vs. Success is based on opportunityOne person can make a big difference vs. Real change takes a groupIt’s more important to win vs. It’s more important to growReflection Letter Prompts:“What’s one belief I’ve changed this year?”“If I were to go back in time and give myself advice at the beginning of 8th grade, here’s what I’d say…”“What advice would I give to next year’s students?”"What was my favorite classroom moment?""What is one thing that was extremely hard for me to do this year, but I did it anyhow."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

Feeling overwhelmed with the end of the school year? Discover how to reclaim your time by planning an entire month of ELA in just one afternoon. This episode highlights the benefits of long-term planning, reducing stress while boosting your confidence in the classroom. Learn effective strategies to streamline your lessons and maximize impact, ensuring a smooth finish to the school year. Get inspired to plan with intention and keep burnout at bay, all while ending the year on a strong note!

I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!After four months away, the podcast is back—and so am I. In this solo episode, I’m sharing the story behind the pause, what I’ve walked through personally and professionally, and the deep lessons I’ve learned on the other side. This season is about truth, healing, and coming home to what matters most.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!As the New Year dawns, we're embracing a transformative journey at EB Academics. After over 300 episodes of enriching the lives of ELA teachers, we're hitting pause on the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast to focus on something monumental. Our curriculum is under review by Ed Reports, and we're laser-focused on ensuring it meets and exceeds expectations, transforming it into an even more powerful resource for you. This hiatus isn't an end but a chance to enhance and elevate what we offer, aligning with our mission to empower educators inside and outside the classroom.Join me, Caitlin, as I share this pivotal moment in our journey. While we'll miss our weekly rendezvous, we're channeling all our energy into this exciting phase. It's a time for both growth and introspection, and I invite you to set your own intentions for 2025. Embrace the possibilities, welcome change, and trust in the process. Until we're back in your earbuds, here's to a New Year filled with ease, joy, and transformation. Your positive thoughts and good vibes are welcome as we embark on this critical chapter. See you soon, and happy 2025!

I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!Let’s take a moment to revisit one of our favorite Monday Mindset episodes!Your energy has the power to transform every interaction—are you elevating those around you? Learn practical strategies to protect and project positivity, reflect on your energy levels, and align your actions with your best self. Surround yourself with uplifting individuals and discover the profound impact of intentional energy on your journey to fulfillment.Here’s to another day of living intentionally.Caitlin

I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!Let's listen once again to one of our Podcast Favorites. This episode empowers middle school ELA teachers to plan an entire month or semester of lessons in advance, transforming the weekly grind into a streamlined, stress-free process. Learn to map out units, align with standards, and categorize lessons into 'into,' 'through,' and 'beyond' for maximum impact. Say goodbye to late-night planning and hello to high-quality lessons and personal time! 

I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!What if embracing honesty and vulnerability could transform your life? Let's listen one more time to one of our Monday Favorite episodes, I explore how truthfulness fosters self-love and personal growth. Learn how honest feedback—whether from yourself or others—can spark meaningful change and help you align with your true aspirations.Dive into practical exercises and inspiring reflections to confront what holds you back and nurture what moves you forward.Listen now and take the first step toward unlocking your full potential!Here’s to another day of living intentionally.Caitlin

Discover how to make grammar lessons exciting by weaving them into the stories students love! Engage your class with mentor sentences that bring concepts alive and embark on grammar scavenger hunts. Dive into the exploration of nonstandard dialects, enriching language appreciation while reinforcing essential grammar skills. Learn creative techniques to connect literature and language, fostering a judgment-free environment where students thrive. Tune in for practical ideas that transform grammar from mundane to magical!

I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!This is a flashback from one of our favorite Monday Mindset episodes!Imagine facing a challenge you once thought impossible—then conquering it with encouragement and the right mindset. This week, we explore how our beliefs shape our capabilities and the power of support in pushing past limits.Discover how shifting self-talk and embracing accountability can open doors to growth in all areas of life.Here’s to another day of living intentionally.Caitlin