Teaching Middle School ELA
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
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!
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!
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!
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...
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!
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...
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!
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...
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!
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...
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!
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...
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!
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...
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!
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...
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!
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.
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!
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.
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!
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...
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!
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...
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!
Feeling overwhelmed by everything you’re expected to plan, prep, and grade as a middle school ELA teacher? You’re not alone — but there is a better way.
In this episode, Caitlin breaks down the 80/20 Rule (aka the Pareto Principle) and how applying it to your classroom can help you work smarter, not harder. You’ll learn how to identify the 20% of strategies and routines that create 80% of yo...
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!
In this episode of Teaching Middle School ELA, Caitlin flips the script on traditional first-day activities by making the case for launching your writing unit on day one — yes, really! While students may still be groggy and navigating the chaos of a new school year, Caitlin shares how to spark curiosity and get them excited about writing right from the start. You’ll learn a simple yet power...
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!
In this episode of Teaching Middle School ELA, Caitlin tackles a topic many teachers may feel tempted to brush off—planning ahead. With the end-of-year chaos in full swing, thinking about next school year might seem impossible. But Caitlin shares why carving out just a bit of time now to plan can make a huge difference come August. Drawing on her own classroom experience and insights from t...
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!
In this upbeat episode of the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast, Caitlin shares how short and sweet can still be powerful! Discover how mini lessons can make a big impact—especially during the busy end-of-year days—while giving you more breathing room and keeping students engaged.
Make sure you're on our email list, so you know when/if I host a Writing Workshop in July! You can grab o...
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!
In this episode of the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast, Caitlin shares how you can make the most of your summer without letting school take over. Learn which planning tasks are truly worth your time, what you can skip, and how batch planning can set you up for a smooth fall—while still enjoying your well-deserved break!
Join me for my June workshop focused on the EB Batch Planning Approa...
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!
In this short but powerful episode of the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast, Caitlin shares a meaningful, low-prep activity to help students reflect and find closure at the end of the year: the 3-sentence speech. It’s a simple way to honor growth, celebrate the journey, and give every student a voice.
To stay connected with us about promotions, freebies, events, and professional developmen...
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!
How to Turn a Mystery into a Full-Class Mock Trial
Want to teach argument writing in a way your students will actually love? In this episode, I'm walking you through how to pair a murder mystery narrative with a full mock trial experience—no extra planning required.
You'll learn:
- How to launch The Bountiful Case mystery in your classroom
- How to guide students through cla...
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!
In today’s episode of the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast, Caitlin shares simple, effective end-of-year routines to help you wrap up the school year with clarity and calm. If May feels like a whirlwind, this is your guide to finishing strong—without the stress. Let’s make the last few weeks feel a little more doable and a lot more intentional.
Caitlin's Journaling Spotify Playlist:
Popular Podcasts
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Special Summer Offer: Exclusively on Apple Podcasts, try our Dateline Premium subscription completely free for one month! With Dateline Premium, you get every episode ad-free plus exclusive bonus content.
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.
The Megyn Kelly Show is your home for open, honest and provocative conversations with the most interesting and important political, legal and cultural figures today. No BS. No agenda. And no fear.