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
Oct 29, 2019 • 12min
Mini Literary Analysis Writing PD: Hooking Your Students - 033
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!This episode kicks off a Mini Series PD for Evidence-Based Writing on the podcast. In this first episode, I'll be talking all about how you can hook your students and get them interested and engaged with evidence-based writing (also known as literary analysis writing) through a fun detective activity. Links mentioned in this episode: ebacademics.com/memberwaitlist 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.
Oct 22, 2019 • 26min
Picture Books in Middle School ELA with Jenna from Doc Cop Teaching - 032
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!In today's episode we have Jenna Copper from Doc Cop Teaching to share exactly how we can effectively utilize picture books in our middle school ELA classrooms to enhance our current curriculum. Links mentioned in today's episode: Jenna's VIP Library: ebacademics.com/jennapodcast Jenna on Instagram We would love to hear from you! Please take a moment to leave us a review in iTunes. Your review helps us reach even more Middle School ELA Teachers just like you!
Oct 15, 2019 • 32min
Making Vocabulary Meaningful with Melissa from Reading and Writing Haven - 031
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!In today's episode we're talking all about vocabulary with Melissa from Reading and Writing Haven. She's going to help us with different strategies, fun and engaging ideas, and just an overall approach that we should consider adopting in our own classrooms. Links mentioned in today's episode: Melissa's Blog Post about Vocabulary: ebacademics.com/melissapodcast Flocabulary Melissa on Instagram and Twitter To learn more about The EB Teachers' Club and become a member before enrollment closes on October 21st, just visit ebacademics.com/membership.
Oct 8, 2019 • 38min
A Look Inside Another Teacher's Classroom with Ashli Cassidy - 030
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!This episode gives us a glimpse into another Middle School ELA Teacher's classroom. Ashli Cassidy is a 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade ELA Teacher from New Jersey. She shares with us some great strategies that have been working well for her this year as well as lesson plan ideas that we can take back to our own classrooms. Ashli is also a member of our EB Teachers' Club. To learn more about The EB Teachers' Club, add your name to the waitlist, and grab a FREE sample lesson plan from the club, just visit ebacademics.com/memberwaitlist.
Oct 1, 2019 • 33min
Bringing Podcasts into Your Classroom with Ashley from Building Book Love - 029
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!This is SUCH a great episode that walks you through the how and WHY for bringing podcasts into your Middle School ELA classroom. Ashley Bible from Building Book Love is here to teach us everything we need to know. She even has a great blog post all about podcasts with an incredibly helpful free download for you to utilize as well. Check out her blog post here: ebacademics.com/ashleypodcast Make sure you also grab a copy of our FREE ebook called Your Balanced Year. We give you all kinds of strategies, structures, lesson plans, and so much more to help you find balance in your teaching life. Download the free ebook here: ebacademics.com/yourbalancedyear Also, be sure to mark your calendars for October 7, 2019, which is when we release our 3-part video series called The Balanced Teaching Approach. You can also find us on Instagram @ebacademics
Sep 24, 2019 • 37min
Simple Steps for a Better Year: Mindfulness with Kailey from Educalme - 028
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!In today's episode we're talking about some very simple steps you can take for a better year, using mindfulness practices and strategies. Kailey from The Balanced Educator Podcast is sharing her brilliant insights with us, so we can find more joy in our teaching practice. Learn more about Kailey, The Balanced Educator, and Educalme by visiting https://www.educalme.com/home. You can also find us on Instagram @ebacademics
Sep 17, 2019 • 22min
Games in ELA: Part 2 of 2 - 027
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!In today's episode we're talking about 4 different games you can use in your middle school ELA classroom. These are great to have in your back pocket as easy go to activities! This is part 2 of 2 about Games in ELA - you can listen to part two in next week's episode #026. Links mentioned in today's podcast: - Your Balanced Year Free eBook: ebacademics.com/yourbalancedyear - Balderdash Blogpost: ebacademics.com/balderdash Please be sure to leave us a review if you're loving the podcast! You can also find us on Instagram @ebacademics
Sep 10, 2019 • 16min
Games in ELA: Part 1 of 2 - 026
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!In today's episode we're talking about 4 different games you can use in your middle school ELA classroom. These are great to have in your back pocket as easy go to activities! This is part 1 of 2 about Games in ELA - you can listen to part two in next week's episode #027. Please be sure to leave us a review if you're loving the podcast! You can also find us on Instagram @ebacademics
Sep 3, 2019 • 11min
Easy Lunch Ideas - 025
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!Today's episode is lighthearted but also very helpful! We're sharing 4 awesome and easy lunch ideas for the school year. There's nothing worse than having NOTHING to bring to school for lunch. Take these 4 lunches and start making them this week! :) Make sure to follow us on Instagram at www.instagram.com/ebacademics
Aug 27, 2019 • 17min
Incorporating Informational Text in Easy and Meaningful Ways - 024
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!In today's episode we're talking about four strategies you can begin implementing right away to help you incorporate informational text into your classroom in easy and meaningful ways. Links mentioned in this episode: The EB Teachers' Club: ebacademics.com/membership Informational Text Graphic Organizers: ebacademics.com/informationaltext Make sure to follow us on Instagram at www.instagram.com/ebacademics
