
Teaching Middle School ELA
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.
Latest episodes

Jan 18, 2022 • 25min
The Two Game-Changing Sentences That Will Instantly Improve Your Students’ Essays - 159
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!Listen as Caitlin and Jessica discuss the two sentences that are sure to take your students’ justification to the next level. They will walk you through the simple steps of this approach, which will not only improve your students’ writing, but reduce your grading load, too. Links mentioned in this episode: http://ebacademics.com/writingwaitlist 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

Jan 11, 2022 • 29min
Using Mock Trials to Help Your Students Master the Standards and Have Fun - 158
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!Listen as Caitlin and Jessica walk you through the basics of creating a classroom mock trial, so you can orchestrate one (or more!) in your own classroom. Jessica will share 4 lessons to help you create this authentic learning experience, which you can rinse and repeat over and over with different texts. Links mentioned in this episode: http://ebacademics.com/membership https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Mock-Trial-Template-for-Any-Text-7547540 https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Evidence-Graphic-Organizers-for-Literary-or-Informational-Text-Print-Digital-2422723 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

Jan 4, 2022 • 32min
Teaching Social Justice in the Middle School Classroom with Megan from Too Cool for Middle School - 157
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!If you’ve been wanting to better address social justice issues in your classroom but have been nervous about getting started, don’t worry! Feeling anxious is totally normal, and Megan Forbes from Too Cool for Middle School will give you some helpful advice on using the Social Justice Standards effectively, using texts you probably already have planned in your curriculum. Links mentioned in this episode: https://www.learningforjustice.org/frameworks/social-justice-standards https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Too-Cool-For-Middle-School/Search:social+justice https://ohhappydani.com/ https://www.anti-biasmontessori.com/ https://blairimani.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

Dec 29, 2021 • 34min
BONUS: The Empowered ELA Teacher Excerpt Chapter 1: The Mindset Shift
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!An unbalanced teaching life can really take its toll on both you and your students. Thankfully, you can be the teacher you want to be, the teacher you will be, with a shift in mindset. Caitlin will share her own struggles with teacher burnout and show you how she found her passion again, as she balanced her life at school with her life beyond the classroom door. Links mentioned in this episode: https://www.ebacademics.com/book 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

Dec 21, 2021 • 22min
The Perfect Unit For After Winter Break - 156
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!You know that foreboding feeling at the end of a school break, when you know the vacation is over and you have to get back into the classroom routine? Remove that dread and enjoy your whole break by giving yourself and your students something to look forward to upon returning! Jessica and Caitlin will share 7 well-timed activities for Langston Hughes’ “Thank You, M’am,” which you can use during the first 5-6 days back to school. Links mentioned in this episode: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/New-Years-Reading-Writing-Activities-Middle-School-DIGITAL-and-PRINT-2262410 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

Dec 14, 2021 • 24min
Four Strategies for Getting Your Kids Engaged in Independent Reading - 155
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!“How do I get my reluctant readers engaged in independent reading when they just won’t do it?” This was one of our EB teacher’s questions, and it may be yours, too! Jessica and Caitlin share four great tips that will get even reluctant readers excited about reading time. Links mentioned in this episode: 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

Dec 7, 2021 • 22min
Inclusively Teaching Holidays Around the World with Joe and Quyen from Top Floor Teachers -154
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!The holidays are upon us, and your students are bubbling over with excitement. Don’t want to be a grinch but still want to pack a lot of learning into these weeks before the winter break? Listen in as Caitlin and Jessica host Joe and Quyen, Top Floor Teachers who have a great holiday project to share with you! Links mentioned in this episode: http://www.topfloorteachers.com/ https://www.instagram.com/topfloorteachers/?hl=en 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

Nov 30, 2021 • 25min
Why I Do Not Use Reading Logs -- With Melissa Kruse - 153
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!Although assigned with good intentions, reading logs can weigh down readers, turning reading into a points game instead of a fulfilling, enriching activity. So, what to do instead? Caitlin interviews ELA teacher and instructional coach Melissa Kruse from Reading and Writing Haven, who will give listeners insight into reading logs and offer some great alternatives. Links mentioned in this episode: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Book-Fit-Activity-My-Reading-Ladder-for-Tracking-Just-Right-Books-4274224http://ebacademics.com/membership https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Digital-Bookshelf-for-Sharing-Independent-Reading-Online-5853872 https://www.instagram.com/readingandwritinghaven https://www.readingandwritinghaven.com/ https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Reading-And-Writing-Haven 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

Nov 23, 2021 • 15min
Silent Debates: Your New Favorite Discussion Activity - 152
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!This is definitely an activity you’ll want in your teacher toolbox. The bonus? You can use it over and over all year, as students improve their argumentative and writing skills. This episode is a must-listen if you’re looking for a new discussion activity that reaches a wide variety of students, so be sure to listen in! Links mentioned in this episode: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Thanksgiving-Short-Story-Unit-Middle-School-and-High-School-PRINT-and-DIGITAL-2854875 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

Nov 16, 2021 • 23min
5 Little-Known Strategies to Avoid Teacher Burnout - 151
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!Teachers, you have SO much on your shoulders right now. A pandemic, district mandates, extra responsibilities . . . In this podcast, Caitlin and Jessica will give you five strategies to help reduce your burdens and reclaim your personal life. Take a few minutes to listen, then pick one strategy to try this week! Links mentioned in this episode: 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