Teaching Middle School ELA
Welcome to the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast, where we are dedicated to helping English Language Arts teachers create dynamic and engaging lessons for their students, while also managing the day-to-day responsibilities that come with being a Middle School ELA teacher.
As educators ourselves, we understand the challenges of finding a work-life balance that allows us to pursue our passion for teaching while also enjoying our personal lives. That's why each Tuesday, hosts Caitlin Mitchell and Jessica Cannata share practical and innovative solutions for managing your workload and staying inspired in your teaching practice.
Whether you are looking for fresh ideas to inspire your students, strategies for improving your writing instruction, or tips for managing your time more effectively, this podcast is designed to provide you with the tools you need to thrive as a Middle School ELA teacher.
Join us each week for curriculum and lesson ideas, classroom stories, and interviews with fellow educators who are experts in the field. We believe that with the right support and resources, you can create a classroom environment that encourages students to become strong and passionate learners.
If you teach reading and writing to middle schoolers and want to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices in ELA education, then this is the podcast for you! Tune in every week and let us help you make a difference in the lives of your students and in your own teaching career.
Teaching Middle School ELA
Bonus Episode: How to Turn a Mystery into a Full-Class Mock Trial
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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 claim, premise, evidence, and justification using our Case Report
- How to set up and run a full mock trial (including tips for large classes!)
- Ways to keep it simple—or totally zhuzh it up
This lesson is one of my favorite ways to build writing, speaking, and critical thinking skills—and you can get the full resource bundle completely free.
🎁 Download the Mystery + Mock Trial Kit here:
ebteacher.com/mysterytrial
💡 Want even more ideas like this? Join me for my free Summer Engagement Workshop, where I’ll show you how to bring this kind of energy and purpose to every part of your school year.
Register here: ebteacher.com/workshop