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.
Teaching Middle School ELA
Episode 318: Low-Prep Ways to End the Year with Deep Thinking
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
In this episode, you’ll discover simple yet powerful strategies to spark curiosity and connection in your classroom—all while keeping things manageable for you. Let’s flip the script on end-of-year burnout and finish strong with purpose, clarity, and heart. You’ve poured so much into your students all year—now let’s wrap it up in a way that honors that work. You’re almost there, and you’re doing amazing.
Links mentioned in the episode:
Jenna Copper Blog Post on Discussion Panels: https://jennacopper.com/panel-discussions-make-your-students-the-experts-in-five-simple-steps/
Discussion questions mentioned in episode:
- Here are some ideas for this or that to spark discussion—make sure you choose ones that are appropriate for your class, so please use your discernment.
- It’s better to take a risk and fail vs. It’s better to play it safe and succeed
- People can change who they are vs. People stay the same deep down
- It’s more important to be honest vs. It’s more important to be kind
- The past shapes who we are vs. We decide who we become
- Leaders should always listen to others vs. Leaders should trust their own judgment most
- Everyone deserves a second chance vs. Some actions can’t be forgiven
- Rules are meant to be followed vs. Rules are meant to be questioned
- Success is based on hard work vs. Success is based on opportunity
- One person can make a big difference vs. Real change takes a group
- It’s more important to win vs. It’s more important to grow
Reflection Letter Prompts:
- “What’s one belief I’ve changed this year?”
- “If I were to go back in time and give myself advice at the beginning of 8th grade, here’s what I’d say…”
- “What advice would I give to next year’s students?”
- "What was my favorite classroom moment?"
- "What is one thing that was extremely hard for me to do this year, but I did it anyhow."
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