

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

Sep 19, 2022 • 4min
Monday Mindset: Vulnerability
If you had to rate yourself on a scale of 1-10, how vulnerable would you say you are? How likely are you to open your heart to others? How often do you let others in? And how do you think that might be impacting your ability to build those 10 out of 10 relationships with others? (students, parents, family, colleagues, children) I was doing a Peloton strength training class with Jess Sims this morning, and as soon as she mentioned vulnerability, I immediately wanted to share this with you. I would love to hear back from you on this topic - feel free to hit "reply" and let me know what landed for you or any feedback that you have. I will read and respond to every email. Here's to another great week, living intentionally. Caitlin

Sep 13, 2022 • 19min
Schools Need to Be More Like Sports - 193
In this episode, Caitlin and Jessica will give lots of inspiration and ideas for creating authentic moments in your classroom – moments that students will look forward to and remember for a long time. The secret to getting your students to bring their best effort is to treat your class more like a sport and your students more like a team. Links mentioned in this episode: https://ebacademics.com/2022/01/ep-158-using-mock-trials-to-help-your-students-master-the-standards-and-have-fun.html https://heathbrothers.com/the-power-of-moments/ https://www.ebteacher.com/the-eb-teachers-club-egw-coupon 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

Sep 12, 2022 • 4min
Monday Mindset: Lessons Learned
What if we saw the challenges in our lives as opportunities for our own growth? As a way to stop and ask ourselves, "What lesson am I supposed to be learning from this?" Take a listen to this week's Monday Mindset and let me know what you think. It's time to flip the script on disappointing and frustrating situations and use them to better yourself. Life happens FOR us. Here's to another great week ... living intentionally. Caitlin

Sep 6, 2022 • 25min
Sub Plans That Are So Good, Even the Science Teacher Can Rock Them - 192
At some point this year, it’s going to happen. You’ll get super sick unexpectedly, have a child or parent to care for, or be suddenly asked to attend a workshop. No matter the reason you’ll be out of the classroom, you need sub plans at the ready, so you don’t have to worry about your students while you’re attending to something else. Today, Caitlin and Jessica will show you just how to make these effective lessons! Links mentioned in this episode: https://ebacademics.com/2017/06/the-sub-binder-why-its-important-how-to.html https://ebacademics.com/2021/08/ep-139-the-single-most-effective-classroom-management-system.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ML92lxKM4Ac https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/ELA-Emergency-Sub-Plans-Part-1-DIGITAL-and-PRINT-2340227 https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/ELA-Emergency-Sub-Plans-Part-2-DIGITAL-and-PRINT-8338423 https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Emergency-Sub-Plans-Parts-1-and-2-8338472 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

Sep 5, 2022 • 3min
Monday Mindset: Both/And
Most of us live in a world of "either/or" ... meaning, we don't think we can actually have it all. You either get to be great at your job OR you get to be a great partner/friend/parent/etc. You either get to do a great job with your workout regime OR you get to go out with your friends on the weekend. The world of "either/or" doesn't serve you very well. It comes from a lack mindset. But what if you flipped the script? What if you got to live from possibility? From an abundance mindset, where you actually CAN have it all? Take a listen as I explore this concept of "BOTH/AND."

Aug 30, 2022 • 20min
10 Rinse and Repeat Activities for Any Novel - 191
Every ELA teacher needs some go-to activities for their teacher toolbag. Activities that can be used with any novel (or short story) but that still help students improve their reading skills and deeply analyze the text. Activities that can be used again and again without losing their effectiveness. We call these “rinse and repeat” activities. Links mentioned in this episode: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/10-Critical-Thinking-Activities-for-Any-Novel-Part-2-DIGITAL-and-PRINT-8150886 http://ebacademics.com/membership 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

Aug 29, 2022 • 3min
Monday Mindset: Personal Responsibility
What if you got to be 100% responsible, 100% of the time? How would you choose to BE different in your relationships, in your interactions, in your inner narrative with yourself? This concept will propel you forward toward whatever ultimate goal or vision you have for yourself in your life. Here's to another great week ... living intentionally. Caitlin

Aug 23, 2022 • 28min
How You Can Implement Social Emotional Learning (SEL) This Year - Monica Genta - 190
In this episode of the podcast, our friend, Monica Genta, stops by to give us an update on the pulse of SEL in districts across the country today, remind us of the importance now more than ever in building strong foundations with our students, and to share a little about her 180 Days of Awesome SEL Curriculum. Links mentioned in this episode: http://www.monicagenta.com/awesomeacademy http://www.monicagenta.com/180SEL https://monicagenta.com/feed/podcast/ 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

Aug 22, 2022 • 2min
Monday Mindset: What's in the Gap?
There are few things I love more in life than California Wine Country. Here are my thoughts on "What's in the Gap?" in our relationships before my husband and I headed out to wine taste for the day in beautiful Healdsburg. Remember to focus on those 10 out of 10 relationships that really matter. How can you create more of those? Here's to another great week ... living intentionally. Caitlin

Aug 16, 2022 • 25min
The Only Vocabulary System You’ll Ever Want to Use - 189
If you know anything about Caitlin, you know that she believes in working smarter, not harder. Years ago, after not seeing evidence of student growth, she decided to make some small tweaks to how she was teaching vocab. These small tweaks became a system that made a major impact, and today she is sharing her method with listeners! Links mentioned in this episode: http://ebacademics.com/membership https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Yearlong-Vocabulary-Unit-for-Middle-School-Part-1-DIGITAL-and-PRINT-8359812 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


