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
Apr 12, 2022 • 34min
Why You Can't Get Anything Done! - 171
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!“Why is it that I’m so busy, but I never feel like I’m getting enough done or moving forward on my goals?” If you’ve asked yourself this question recently, the answer may lie in your habits! Listen in as Michelle and Bridget from Teaching on the Double share three helpful habits that will help you meet your goals and be the person you really want to be. Links mentioned in this episode: http://ebacademics.com/membershipwaitlist Are you enjoying the podcast? Tag us @ebacademics and let us know which episode you're listening to! Make sure to Subscribe 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 and scroll down to Rating and Reviews. Click on "Write a Review" and let us know how this podcast is helping you in your ELA classroom! Other episodes you might enjoy: Constructive Criticism: How to Change Your Mindset and Be Open to Feedback Mini Literary Analysis Writing PD: H
Apr 5, 2022 • 22min
Why Empowered Teachers Make Room for White Space - 170
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!An empowered ELA teacher is a teacher who really loves their job; each day, they wake up excited to get to school and embark on that day’s lessons with their students. But despite this passion to teach, school is not their whole world. An empowered teacher makes room for white space. What does this mean, and how can you do it? In this episode, Caitlin and Jessica will show you! Are you enjoying the podcast? Tag us @ebacademics and let us know which episode you're listening to! Make sure to Subscribe 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 and scroll down to Rating and Reviews. Click on "Write a Review" and let us know how this podcast is helping you in your ELA classroom! Other episodes you might enjoy: Constructive Criticism: How to Change Your Mindset and Be Open to Feedback Mini Literary Analysis Writing PD: H
Mar 29, 2022 • 22min
Secrets to Leaving School When the Bell Rings - 169
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!This episode is about secrets to leaving school when the bell rings, but we’ll warn you upfront: it’s not about what you think it’s about. This episode is not about physical strategies (you can find those in plenty of our other episodes!). This one is about mindset. Because sometimes, walking out of your classroom door starts there. Links mentioned in this episode: http://ebacademics.com/membershipwaitlist Are you enjoying the podcast? Tag us @ebacademics and let us know which episode you're listening to! Make sure to Subscribe 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 and scroll down to Rating and Reviews. Click on "Write a Review" and let us know how this podcast is helping you in your ELA classroom! Other episodes you might enjoy: Constructive Criticism: How to Change Your Mindset and Be Open to Feedback Mini Literary Analysis Writing PD: H
Mar 22, 2022 • 24min
Hexagonal Thinking with Betsy Potash - 168
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!Imagine having a go-to discussion activity that is both guided and open-ended, both fun and rigorous, both creative and easy to implement. The Hexagonal Thinking Activity has it all, and Betsy Potash from the Spark Creativity Teacher Podcast is here to share it with you! Links mentioned in this episode: https://youtu.be/MZCQeBj6KOk https://www.instagram.com/nowsparkcreativity/?hl=en https://nowsparkcreativity.com/free-hexagonal-thinking-digital-toolkit Are you enjoying the podcast? Tag us @ebacademics and let us know which episode you're listening to! Make sure to Subscribe 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 and scroll down to Rating and Reviews. Click on "Write a Review" and let us know how this podcast is helping you in your ELA classroom! Other episodes you might enjoy: Constructive Criticism: How to Change Your Mindset and Be Open to Feedback Mini Literary Analysis Writing PD: H
Mar 15, 2022 • 12min
Fun Grammar Review for Any Topic - 167
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!“Grammar” and “fun” rarely appear in the same sentence, but this activity is guaranteed to draw every student in. So listen in for the simple steps for creating this activity, plus hear Caitlin’s list of great grammar topics you can use. Be the teacher who makes grammar review a memorable and enjoyable experience for students! Links mentioned in this episode: http://ebacademics.com/membershipwaitlist https://www.instagram.com/ebacademics/ Are you enjoying the podcast? Tag us @ebacademics and let us know which episode you're listening to! Make sure to Subscribe 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 and scroll down to Rating and Reviews. Click on "Write a Review" and let us know how this podcast is helping you in your ELA classroom! Other episodes you might enjoy: Constructive Criticism: How to Change Your Mindset and Be Open to Feedback Mini Literary Analysis Writing PD: H
Mar 8, 2022 • 16min
2 Ways to Differentiate Your ELA Lessons with Little Effort but Big Impact - 166
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!In this episode, Caitlin and Jessica offer listeners two easy and effective strategies to help differentiate lessons. And the best part? These easy-to-create resources can be used in a variety of lessons, so the little bit of effort you put in now will pay dividends all year long. Little effort, big impact! Links mentioned in this episode: http://ebacademics.com/membershipwaitlist https://www.instagram.com/ebacademics/ Are you enjoying the podcast? Tag us @ebacademics and let us know which episode you're listening to! Make sure to Subscribe 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 and scroll down to Rating and Reviews. Click on "Write a Review" and let us know how this podcast is helping you in your ELA classroom! Other episodes you might enjoy: Constructive Criticism: How to Change Your Mindset and Be Open to Feedback Mini Literary Analysis Writing PD: H
Mar 1, 2022 • 27min
The Best Way to Spiral Your Writing Lessons to Ensure Mastery - 165
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!Caitlin and Jessica will walk you through two simple but critical steps to use in your lesson planning, so you can intentionally incorporate spiraled lessons into your school year and really make sure your students master the learning they need! Links mentioned in this episode: http://ebacademics.com/membershipwaitlist https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Narrative-Writing-Game-and-Lesson-MASH-6971817 Are you enjoying the podcast? Tag us @ebacademics and let us know which episode you're listening to! Make sure to Subscribe 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 and scroll down to Rating and Reviews. Click on "Write a Review" and let us know how this podcast is helping you in your ELA classroom! Other episodes you might enjoy: Constructive Criticism: How to Change Your Mindset and Be Open to Feedback Mini Literary Analysis Writing PD: H
Feb 23, 2022 • 37min
Holistic Health Coaching with Guest Kara Rubino - 164
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!Eating healthier doesn’t have to mean overhauling your whole lifestyle or giving up all the foods you love. It also doesn’t have to consume all of your free time and weekends. Kara will offer some great tips, recipe ideas, and meal planning strategies. Choose the ones that will work for you and your family, to start feeling healthier right away! Links mentioned in this episode: https://www.instagram.com/kara.c.rubino/ https://www.karacrubino.com/ Are you enjoying the podcast? Tag us @ebacademics and let us know which episode you're listening to! Make sure to Subscribe 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 and scroll down to Rating and Reviews. Click on "Write a Review" and let us know how this podcast is helping you in your ELA classroom! Other episodes you might enjoy: Constructive Criticism: How to Change Your Mindset and Be Open to Feedback Mini Literary Analysis Writing PD: H
Feb 15, 2022 • 25min
Determining Which ELA Activities Make the Cut - 163
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!“How do I decide which ELA activities ‘make the cut’ for my school year?” Caitlin and Jessica address this question from the EB Academic’s Facebook group, which is a question you’ve probably wondered about, too. With all the resources available, sometimes choosing the right ones for your classes can be overwhelming. Whether you’re an EB teacher or not, this episode will help! Links mentioned in this episode: http://ebacademics.com/ebwaitlist Are you enjoying the podcast? Tag us @ebacademics and let us know which episode you're listening to! Make sure to Subscribe 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 and scroll down to Rating and Reviews. Click on "Write a Review" and let us know how this podcast is helping you in your ELA classroom! Other episodes you might enjoy: Constructive Criticism: How to Change Your Mindset and Be Open to Feedback Mini Literary Analysis Writing PD: H
Feb 8, 2022 • 24min
Get Your Students Crushing Standardized Tests (Without Teaching to the Test) - 162
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!Listen as Jessica and Caitlin walk you through the steps of creating a Test Prep Treasure Hunt for your students! Front load students with essential knowledge of test-taking stills and academic vocabulary before setting them off to search your classroom for clues that will lead to great test practice. Links mentioned in this episode: http://ebacademics.com/ebwaitlist https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Test-Prep-Treasure-Hunt-7418390 Are you enjoying the podcast? Tag us @ebacademics and let us know which episode you're listening to! Make sure to Subscribe 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 and scroll down to Rating and Reviews. Click on "Write a Review" and let us know how this podcast is helping you in your ELA classroom! Other episodes you might enjoy: Constructive Criticism: How to Change Your Mindset and Be Open to Feedback Mini Literary Analysis Writing PD: H
