

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

Aug 4, 2020 • 15min
4 Things The Bachelor Can Teach You About Creating Engaging Lessons - 079
Today on the podcast, we share four strategies for making any lesson more engaging. And fortunately, they’re simple! Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need tons of time or hundreds of props to create an unforgettable lesson for your students. We share tips to take your current plans to the next level. Listen in to get your students more excited about learning this 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: Hooking Your Students

Aug 1, 2020 • 34min
4 Easy Tips for Leaving Meaningful Digital Feedback with Shana Ramin of Hello Teacher Lady - 078
Shana’s tips will be particularly helpful if you use Google Classroom, but even if you don’t, she shares some awesome tips and tricks to help your students get the most out of an assignment. Shana is always about efficiency and effectiveness, which is just one of the reasons we love her so much. I’m so excited for you to catch this fantastic episode! Links mentioned in this episode: ebacademics.com/ebwritingprogram 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 28, 2020 • 17min
How to Differentiate Your Writing Instruction Without Any Extra Work! - 077
So, with that being said, today on the podcast we have several differentiation strategies for you that will work, and that you will find easy to implement. Remember, a strategy is only useful if it’s practical and manageable, and we understand how much is on every middle school teacher’s plate. Links mentioned in this episode: ebacademics.com/ebwritingprogram 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 21, 2020 • 22min
How We Cut Our Stress Levels in HALF During the School Year - 076
Thankfully, over the years, we found that a little preparation goes a long way. In fact, spending just a few hours now could change your ENTIRE year. Listen to this episode to hear why we strongly encourage you to create a scope and sequence for your year. Plus, hear how we scheduled different units into our own! Whether you use our timing, or adjust and do what works for you, creating a scope and sequence for your school year today will completely change the way you teach all year long. Links mentioned in this episode: ebacademics.com/writingmasterclass 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: Hooking Your Students

Jul 14, 2020 • 17min
How Breaking the Rules Just Might Improve Test Scores - 075
In today’s episode, we do something a little unconventional. We actually encourage you to break the rules, raise the bar, and take your students to new heights. Caitlin shares her experience defying (and then quickly exceeding) the expectations of her school administration when she knew in her heart that she could produce better results than the provided writing curriculum. Links mentioned in this episode: ebacademics.com/writingmasterclass 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: Hooking Your Students

Jul 7, 2020 • 17min
What Can Beverly Hills 90210 Teach Us About Improving Students’ Success in Writing? - 074
Today on the podcast, we share three unique and engaging ways to get your students analyzing and writing about literature without even realizing it! Plus, if you’re looking to take your entire writing instruction approach to the next level, join us for our FREE live masterclass and learn our proven strategies to get your students writing like never before! Links mentioned in this episode: https://eb-academics.ck.page/48d6b29028 ebacademics.com/writingmasterclass 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: Hooking Your Students

Jun 30, 2020 • 14min
Are You Still Teaching Writing This Way? Enough Already! - 073
When Jessica and I changed the way we taught writing to the EBW Approach, our students’ outcomes wildly improved. No matter how inexperienced your students may be with academic writing, the simple framework and approach we created will elevate your students’ writing and help them achieve results you can’t yet imagine. 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: Hooking Your Students

Jun 23, 2020 • 15min
A Clear Timeline for Spiraling Narrative Writing Throughout the Year - 072
In today’s episode, Jessica and I share five simple opportunities to get your students practicing narrative writing throughout the year. With just a little bit of planning, these ideas can easily be woven into any curriculum, and the results in your students’ writing will definitely be worth it! 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: Hooking Your Students

Jun 16, 2020 • 14min
Does Narrative Writing Have Middle Child Syndrome? - 071
The importance of narrative writing is often glossed over because it can feel like a less academic genre to some teachers. However, today, Jessica and I make the argument that well-organized and thoughtful narrative writing instruction builds writing skills that will serve your students all year long, and in all other genres of writing. Links mentioned in this episode: ebacademics.com/narrativetraining 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: Hooking Your Students

Jun 9, 2020 • 10min
A Counterintuitive Tip to Uplevel Your Narrative Writing - 070
In today’s episode, I share my best tip for focusing students’ narrative writing so that the plot of their stories is engaging and organized--all the way through the end. Listen in to hear the simple strategy that changed everything for me. Links mentioned in this episode: ebacademics.com/narrativetraining 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: Hooking Your Students


