
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

Nov 9, 2021 • 16min
Making the Most of Your Bell Ringers So Students Master the Standards - 150
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!Join Caitlin and Jessica as they help you wring more learning out of your bell ringers! Many teachers have discovered the benefits of bell ringers, but they wonder how to use them most effectively, so that students are engaged and reviewing important concepts. If this sounds like you, take a listen! Links mentioned in this episode: http://ebacademics.com/membership https://ebacademics.com/2021/09/ep-141-fitting-it-all-in-no-matter-how-long-or-short-your-class-periods-are.html http://ebacademics.com/freebellringers 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 2, 2021 • 20min
A 3-Step Strategy to Creating the Perfect Essential Questions for Your Literature Unit - 149
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!Looking for a way to help your students read literature with purpose and intention? Want your next unit’s text to feel relevant to your young readers? Well, the answer lies in creating the perfect essential question. Listen as Caitlin and Jessica show you how, in just 3 easy steps! Links mentioned in this episode: https://www.ebteacher.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

Oct 26, 2021 • 17min
Running Small Groups More Effectively - 148
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!This episode will show you how to approach small group work planning from two angles: curriculum and classroom management. After listening to this podcast, you will be able to pick the perfect activities for students to work on while also preparing yourself to manage the groups efficiently, with high expectations and clear directions. Links mentioned in this episode: http://ebacademics.com/escaperoom https://ebacademics.com/2021/08/ep-139-the-single-most-effective-classroom-management-system.html 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

Oct 19, 2021 • 15min
The Easy Halloween Activity You’ll Want to Do With Your Students Tomorrow - 147
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!Ah, Halloween: the time of year when your students start to get really antsy. Listen as Caitlin and Jessica share a great activity that will keep them engaged while staying on target with their learning goals. Links mentioned in this episode: http://ebacademics.com/escaperoom 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

Oct 12, 2021 • 22min
Hook Students With Engaging Lessons at the Start of Any Unit - 146
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!Caitlin and Jessica will talk about the importance of the “Into” lesson for building background knowledge, activating prior learning, and building students’ motivation to learn. Even better, they will offer three awesome ideas that you can use before any unit you’re teaching! Links mentioned in this episode: http://ebacademics.com/escaperoom https://ebacademics.com/blog-posts 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

Oct 5, 2021 • 18min
(Please) Stop Staying at School Past Your Contracted Hours - 145
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!If you’re spending too much of your personal time (after school, weekends, and during breaks) planning and grading, then listen as Caitlin and Jessica talk batch planning: what it is, how to get started, and what you can do with all that free time you’ll have after you’ve implemented this approach! Links mentioned in this episode: http://ebacaemics.com/membership https://ebacademics.com/2020/04/ep-62-three-tips-to-start-batch-planning-your-lessons-now.html https://ebacademics.com/2021/01/ep-102-move-past-overwhelm-and-start-batch-lesson-planning-today.html https://ebacademics.com/2021/01/ep-104-a-reluctant-batch-planner-shares-her-success-story.html 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 28, 2021 • 16min
The Most Effective Way to Teach Grammar - 144
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!Teaching grammar is one of the most common pain points we hear about from teachers. But grammar lessons don’t have to be painful for you or your students! Listen as Caitlin and Jessica walk you through some simple steps for teaching grammar effectively and efficiently. Listen as Caitlin and Jessica explain what academic vocabulary is, why it’s important, and how you can choose the right terms to teach your students. They will even direct you to a free, engaging lesson that incorporates great academic vocabulary! Links mentioned in this episode: ebacademics.com/grammarlesson 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 21, 2021 • 10min
Your Academic Vocabulary Ecosystem - 143
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!Listen as Caitlin and Jessica explain what academic vocabulary is, why it’s important, and how you can choose the right terms to teach your students. They will even direct you to a free, engaging lesson that incorporates great academic vocabulary! Links mentioned in this episode: ebacademics.com/detectivelesson 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 14, 2021 • 18min
Why Some Teachers Have That “X-Factor” - 142
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!Take a listen and reflect on the steps you need to take in order to be the teacher you want to be, do great work, and thrive in and outside your classroom. You can have that X-Factor, too -- you just need to put in the work, and Caitlin and Jessica will show you how. Links mentioned in this episode: http://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

Sep 7, 2021 • 23min
Fitting It All In (No Matter How Long or Short Your Class Periods Are) - 141
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!No matter the hand you are dealt when it comes to the length of your class periods, you can make it work with careful prioritizing and strategic planning. Jessica and Caitlin will explain how you can use the standards as your North Star to guide you as you schedule bell ringers, vocab and grammar lessons, reading and writing activities, and silent reading periods. Links mentioned in this episode: http://ebacademics.com/bellringers http://ebacademics.com/escaperoom 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