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
Dec 10, 2019 • 21min
Growing as a Teacher During Your First Years - 039
Jennifer, a second year high school English teacher, shares her journey of being hired 5 days before the first day of school to where she is now in her second year - a much more confident writing teacher. Her journey is one focused on inspiration, growth, self-realization, and taking the initiative. Links mentioned in this episode: 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: Hooking Your Students
Dec 3, 2019 • 22min
How One Teacher Stepped Into the Mindset of What's Possible - 038
Nancy's journey as a writing teacher is one that shows us the beauty in what is possible for us as teachers. When we want to grow, when we see the opportunity for change, and when we come from the mindset of what IS possible, everything can change for us and for our students. Links mentioned in this episode: ebacademics.com/writingwaitlist Book mentioned in this episode: The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise 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
Nov 26, 2019 • 18min
Caitlin and Jessica: Our Teaching Stories - 037
This episode is extra special as both Jessica and I share our teaching stories with you. From bad teaching experiences to great principals, quitting teaching and the in-between, we're sharing the whole enchilada with you. Links mentioned in this episode: 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: Hooking Your Students
Nov 19, 2019 • 18min
Why Student Writing Sometimes Sucks and What We Can Do About It - 036
Do you know what sucks? Grading crappy student writing. There. I said it. But I’m guessing you didn’t need me to tell you that. You’ve probably been there, and I have too. I know the emotional roller coaster and tremendous time suck that accompanies scoring this kind of writing. Fortunately, this week's episode is all about what we can do to combat this elephant in the room. Let's dig in together! Links mentioned in this episode: ebacademics.com/writingwaitlist ebacademics.com/jugglingjustification 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
Nov 12, 2019 • 16min
A Common Mistake You Might Be Making - 035
It is very possible that today’s podcast episode will completely contradict a major component of the way you teach literary analysis. In the episode, we reveal our third game-changing strategy for teaching evidence-based writing, and we’re asking you to take a breath, suspend judgement for a moment, and allow us to walk you through exactly why we believe in this strategy, even though it goes against the grain. Links mentioned in this episode: ebacademics.com/writingwaitlist ebacademics.com/jugglingjustification 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
Nov 5, 2019 • 16min
Mini Literary Analysis Writing PD - Eliminate Writer's Block - 034
This episode is the second part of our Mini Series PD for Evidence-Based Writing on the podcast. In this episode, we'll be covering the idea of eliminating writer's block. All too often, we can make the mistake of solely relying on teaching "hook," and this gets our students STUCK. Use this simple and incredibly effective strategy to completely eliminate writer's block and give your students the confidence to write a kick-a** paper! Links mentioned in this episode: 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: Hooking Your Students
Oct 29, 2019 • 12min
Mini Literary Analysis Writing PD: Hooking Your Students - 033
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
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
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
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.
