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
546 episodes
Episode 398: Why Students Don't Apply Grammar in Their Writing — And How to Fix It Part 2
Episode 397: Why Your Grammar Lessons Keep Falling Flat (And the Fix That Actually Works) Part 1
Episode 396: Monday Mindset: What to Do When Everything Starts to Slip
BONUS: Silent Discussions—How to Get Every Student Thinking (Without Anyone Saying a Word)
Episode 395: A 5-Minute Women’s History Month Writing Routine
Episode 394: Whole-Group Differentiation: 5 Strategies You Can Use Tomorrow
Episode 393: Monday Mindset: “March Is Not for Reinventing Yourself”
Episode 392: The Easiest Way to Add Informational Texts Without Adding More Work
BONUS: How to Run a March Madness Poetry Bracket in Any Classroom
Episode 391: The Friday Whiteboard Planning System That Gives You Your Evenings Back
Episode 390: Monday Mindset: The Real Reason Teachers Burn Out (And What You Can Do Today)
Episode 389: 5 Easy Steps to Create a Virtual Field Trip
Episode 388: Two Grammar Games That Replace Worksheets Without Losing Rigor
Episode 387: Monday Mindset: Trust Your Decisions (Even When Everyone Else Has Opinions)
Episode 386: Forget Spiraling Everything: The One Skill Your Students Actually Need Before Testing
Episode 385: A Test Prep Strategy Students Actually Enjoy (And You’ll Reuse Every Year)
Episode 384: Monday Mindset: Why “Keeping It Simple” Makes You a Stronger Teacher
BONUS: How to Use EB Resources With Your District Curriculum (Without Getting Behind or Overwhelmed)
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