

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 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

Aug 31, 2021 • 15min
Get a Grasp on Your Grading with These 3 Quick Ideas - 140
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!Is grading taking over your work and home life? It’s easy for ELA teachers to feel overloaded and overburdened with assignments to assess. Take a few minutes to listen to this game-changing episode that will inspire and guide you toward reducing your grading load, so you can truly thrive. 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 24, 2021 • 16min
The Single Most Effective Classroom Management System - 139
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!Are you looking for a simple, positive, effective classroom management system? Listen as Caitlin shares her favorite method for managing classroom behavior and routines. The best part? It requires very little effort to implement! Links mentioned in this episode: https://ebacademics.com/2018/12/classroom-management-idea-for-middle-school.html Grab our FREE classroom management tool here! https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Wsr8zLchYD1-4esUfuNS5dB8RLT0SKYmzEH4zYfZm84/edit#slide=id.g12989d373b6_2_75 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 17, 2021 • 14min
Get Your Students Begging for More with This First Day of School Activity - 138
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!The crew of a ship stumbles upon another ship at sea. Upon investigation, they find that all the cargo is still onboard, but the crew has vanished. Are you hooked? Your students will be too, in this engaging first-day activity that will really set your expectations for the school year! 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 10, 2021 • 13min
Re-Engaging Your Students Through Collaboration and Connection - 137
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!After a year of remote or hybrid learning, your students are craving more interaction. Listen as Caitlin and Jessica discuss how you can make this happen in your classroom! 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 3, 2021 • 16min
22 Questions to Ask Yourself to Thrive This School Year - 136
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!If you feel like it can be hard to step out of your teacher identity and embrace all the other aspects of your life that make you happy and whole, take a listen as Caitlin and Jessica pose 22 questions to help you thrive not only inside, but outside the classroom. 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

Jul 27, 2021 • 16min
Working Less and Getting Better Results - 135
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!Do you ever feel like you’re planning day to day? Have you felt the frustration of piecing together lessons from multiple sources? Are you looking for some direction in your teaching, so you can step back and breathe easier? Then listen as Jessica and Caitlin show you how the EB Writing Program will help you work less while getting better results. 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

Jul 20, 2021 • 16min
3 Things ALL Great Writing Teachers Already Do - 134
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!What do great writing teachers have in common? They all engage in these three practices! Listen to see which of these methods you already use, and which you could start adopting today. Links mentioned in this episode: ebacademics.com/literaryanalysis https://www.ebteacher.com/eb-teachers-club-2021 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

Jul 13, 2021 • 17min
3 Things Writing Frameworks Do to Create Successful Writers - 133
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!Are your students lacking confidence and direction in their writing? Are you lacking confidence and direction in teaching writing? Listen in as Caitlin and Jessica explore three reasons that writing frameworks will help you create successful writers. Links mentioned in this episode: ebacademics.com/literaryanalysis 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