Teaching Middle School ELA

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Welcome back to Teaching Middle School ELA! Today, we’re continuing our ChatGPT Series with an episode called Brainstorming & Lesson Hooks Made Simple.

If you’ve ever found yourself staring at your planner, wondering how to start a lesson in a way that actually captures your students’ attention—or if you’re just tired of running out of creative ideas week after week—this episode is going...

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Have you ever taught a grammar skill on Friday, only to watch your students completely forget it by Monday? You’re not alone. Grammar taught in isolation rarely sticks—but when it’s woven into the flow of writing instruction, everything changes.

In today’s episode, I’m sharing the EB Grammar Framework, a simple 3-pillar approach that makes grammar instruction clear, memorable, and connected ...

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Grading doesn’t have to steal your weekends anymore! 🎉 In this brand-new series, I’m showing you how to train ChatGPT to become your teaching assistant—saving you time, reducing stress, and giving you space to focus on what matters most: your students.

In this first episode, we’re tackling the grading struggle head-on. You’ll learn how to train ChatGPT to:
 ✅ Create clear, student-frien...

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So many teachers want to build a strong reading culture in their classrooms—but the truth is, you’re probably already doing one of the most important things without even realizing it! In today’s episode, I pull back the curtain on the “secret” to fostering a love of reading and shows you how to amplify what you’re already doing to make an even bigger impact. Whether you’re working with relu...

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What if your classroom didn’t run on a long list of rules, but on a few powerful core values that shape how everyone shows up each day? In this episode, let's explore why core values inspire more ownership than rules, how to choose the right ones for your students, and simple ways to bring them to life daily. You’ll walk away with a clear framework for creating a classroom culture root...

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If you’ve ever tried a Socratic seminar and ended up with just a handful of students dominating the conversation while the rest stayed silent, you’re not alone. In this episode of Teaching Middle School ELA, I’m sharing my favorite twist on the classic format—Mini Socratic Seminars—that get every student engaged, thinking deeply, and building real discussion skills.

You’ll learn:
 ✅ How ...

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Here’s the truth: your lesson plans don’t need to be perfect to be effective—and chasing “perfect” is one of the quickest ways to burn out as a teacher.

In this episode, I am talking directly to all the teachers who spend hours tweaking slides, rewriting already-great handouts, and second-guessing every plan. You’ll learn why perfectionism doesn’t actually make you a better teacher, how it c...

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Every teacher has those “Am I doing enough?” moments. In this episode, I'm talking through how to quiet the doubt and reconnect with your purpose, because you are making a difference. 

🎉 Just a Few More Days Left! 🎉
 Have you entered our Podcast Giveaway yet? 

We’re treating ONE lucky teacher to a FREE 1-year subscription to the EB Teachers’ ELA Portal! 

Here’s how to enter:
Lea...

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Not a fan of teaching writing? You’re not alone—and this episode is for you. Tune in for simple mindset shifts + practical tips to help you teach writing with more confidence (and less stress)

Grab The Case of the Stolen Pearls Unit here: https://www.ebteacher.com/pearls

 🎉 Just a Few More Days Left! 🎉
 Have you entered our Podcast Giveaway yet? 

We’re treating ONE lucky teacher to a FRE...

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Tired of reinventing the wheel? In this episode, I'm diving into how templates can simplify your planning, reduce decision fatigue, and give you your time (and sanity!) back. 

Book Study Information: 

https://www.ebteacher.com/book-study

Classroom Management Strategy YouTube Video: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=5ZkdeEZL8rw

Enter to Win a Year in The EB Portal🎉
W...

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In this episode, we’re breaking down three practical strategies to transform peer review from a checkbox into a powerful teaching tool that improves writing—and helps you spend less time grading. We’ll also walk through the exact checklists and frameworks we use with our EB Teachers to help peer review stick.

Whether you’ve tried it before or you’re ready to give it a fresh start, this episo...

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Feeling overwhelmed with lesson planning week after week? In this episode, we're digging into how simple, consistent weekly routines can completely transform your classroom. Learn how to save time, reduce stress, and build stronger engagement—all by putting a repeatable structure in place.

Enter to Win a Year in The EB Portal🎉
We’re treating ONE lucky teacher to a FREE 1-year subsc...

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So, you’ve taught the structure. You’ve modeled examples. You’ve practiced together. And still... your students are struggling to write a strong paragraph. Sound familiar?

In today’s episode, I’m breaking down exactly what to do when your students still aren’t getting it — including practical strategies, mindset shifts, and scaffolds that actually work. Let’s dive in and take the frustration...

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In this episode, I’m sharing a writing tool that’s often overlooked but absolutely transformative: the Evidence Tracker. This simple organizer helps students slow down, organize their thinking, and write stronger, clearer arguments. I’ll show you exactly how to use it—and how to shake it up with a few creative twists that your students will love. If you’ve ever struggled with students writi...

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Welcome back to Teaching Middle School ELA! In this episode, I share a behind-the-scenes reflection on what I’d keep—and what I’d change—with writing instruction if I were still in the classroom next year. I dive into our Evidence-Based Writing (EBW) Approach, showing you how a clear, repeatable framework can simplify instruction and build confident writers without the overwhelm. Plus, I of...

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Think you need to teach grammar daily to see results? Think again. In this episode, I share why less is more when it comes to grammar instruction—and how focusing on just two skills per month (using our 8-step EB Grammar Framework) leads to deeper understanding and stronger student writing. Tune in to learn how to make grammar meaningful, manageable, and impactful.

🎧 Listen now + grab your ...

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Welcome back to Teaching Middle School ELA! Today we’re diving into the #1 writing skill to focus on during the first month of school — and it’s probably not what you think. If you want your students to grow as confident, capable writers this year, this is where it all starts. Let’s simplify your writing instruction and set the foundation for success, without the overwhelm. 

Save your spot a...

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 Planning engaging lessons shouldn’t take over your weekends. In today’s episode, I’m sharing our simple EB lesson planning framework—Into, Through, and Beyond—along with plug-and-play activities that save you time and help students master the standards. If you’re tired of starting from scratch each week, this one’s for you. Let’s dive in 

Sign up for the free workshop here: ebteacher.com/wo...

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Getting students excited about writing doesn’t start with the “perfect” prompt — it starts with purpose. In this episode, Caitlin dives into how to create real buy-in by helping students understand why writing matters, how to take ownership of their work, and what it means to see themselves as writers. You’ll walk away with tangible strategies to make writing more engaging, effective, and e...