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 321: Closing Time: End-of-Year Routines to Wrap Up Your Classroom, Grades, and Sanity
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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:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6NTHZhBj1LwIvfRF5gAFd8?si=368bcb58b9084045
📋 Closing Time Checklist
Use this checklist to simplify your end-of-year systems and finish strong—without losing your mind:
🧼 CLASSROOM WRAP-UP
- ☐ Pick one zone to clean each day (desk, supply area, library, etc.)
- ☐ Recruit your "Classroom Closing Crew" to help with specific jobs
- ☐ Label, store, and pack materials with next year in mind
📝 GRADES + ASSESSMENTS
- ☐ Set your final due dates and communicate them clearly
- ☐ Only grade assignments that reflect meaningful learning
- ☐ Use student self-assessment and simple rubrics to save time
- ☐ Batch-grade using 25-minute time blocks (Pomodoro method)
- ☐ Write 2–3 quick reflection notes about each student’s growth
🧠 YOUR SANITY
- ☐ Schedule a “Final Friday” solo work block to close out loose ends
- ☐ Make a “Start of Next Year” checklist and save it in your planner
- ☐ Give yourself permission to pause—don’t plan next year just yet
✅ Pro Tip: Print this checklist, highlight what works for you, and tuck it somewhere visible for the final two weeks of school. Small steps = a smoother finish.
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