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
Episode 383: Fix Chaotic Transitions With One Simple Procedure
Episode 382: The First Writing Routine You Should Teach After Break (It Makes Everything Easier)
Episode 381: Monday Mindset: The Truth About “Feeling Behind” (And Why You’re Probably Ahead)
Episode 380: How We Actually Create EB Resources (You'll Never Guess the Last Step)
Episode 379: Monday Mindset: Forget Resolutions — Do This Instead for a Better Year
Episode 378: 5 Classroom Routines That Make the Entire Semester Easier
Episode 377: Monday Mindset: Winter Break Won't Save You If You Don't Do This
Episode 376: You're Not Too Busy to Plan—You're Busy Because You Don't Plan
Episode 375: Monday Mindset: The Best Teachers Don't Stay the Latest
Episode 374: How One Teacher Got Her Most Reluctant Writers Begging to Revise (Right Before Winter Break)
Episode 373: Monday Mindset: Choose Rest on Purpose
Episode 372: Your New Favorite Pre-Break Activity (That’s Secretly All About Setting)
Episode 371: Monday Mindset: Staying Calm Amidst the Chaos
Episode 370: The Gratitude Writing Activity Your Students Will Actually Love
Episode 369: Monday Mindset: The Hard Truth You Need to Hear
Episode 368: Still Using This Simple Idea from 2015 in Your Writing Lessons?
Episode 367: Monday Mindset: Burnout Isn’t a Badge of Honor
Episode 366: How to Teach Writing With Confidence (Even If You Feel Like a Fraud)
Episode 365: Monday Mindset: Feeling Stuck? This Episode Will Help You See Why That’s a Good Thing.
Stop Using RACE: The Better Writing Framework Students Actually Understand
Episode 364: Make Writing Feel Easy Again: 3 Simple Systems That Actually Work
Episode 363: Monday Mindset: What Courage Looks Like in the Classroom (Hint: It’s Not Loud)
Episode 362: The Mystery Basket Game That Turns Any Lesson Into a Competition
Episode 361: How to Fix Classroom Culture Fast (Without Starting Over)
Episode 360: The Knockout Game That Makes Review Days 10x More Fun