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 1, 2025 • 13min
Episode 333: Why the Evidence Tracker Is the Most Underrated Writing Tool
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
Jun 26, 2025 • 15min
Episode 332: What I’d Do Differently with Writing Next Year (And What I’d Keep the Same)
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
Jun 24, 2025 • 23min
Episode 331: Batch Planning Grammar Mini-Lessons for a Month at a Time
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!
7 snips
Jun 19, 2025 • 22min
Episode 330: The #1 Writing Skill to Focus on in the First Month of School
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!
5 snips
Jun 17, 2025 • 21min
Episode 329: How to Create Engaging Lessons That Don’t Take Hours to Plan
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!
Jun 12, 2025 • 27min
Episode 328: Creating Student Buy-In for Writing Projects
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
8 snips
Jun 10, 2025 • 28min
Episode 327: How the 80/20 Rule Can Transform Your ELA Classroom
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!
Jun 5, 2025 • 12min
326: Writing Engagement Starts Day One—Here’s How I Hook Them
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
Jun 3, 2025 • 27min
Episode 325: Why Planning Ahead Saves You Time (and Sanity) in the Long Run
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
May 29, 2025 • 17min
Episode 324: Mini Lessons That Actually Stick (and Take Less Than 10 Minutes)
In this lively discussion, the host emphasizes the effectiveness of mini lessons for middle school ELA. These bite-sized lessons pack a powerful punch, enhancing student engagement even during the hectic end-of-year period. Listeners learn practical strategies to implement focused lessons that retain students' attention while maximizing classroom time.
