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 341: Mini Socratic Seminars: Big Impact in Small Groups
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text!
If you’ve ever tried a Socratic seminar and ended up with just a handful of students dominating the conversation while the rest stayed silent, you’re not alone. In this episode of Teaching Middle School ELA, I’m sharing my favorite twist on the classic format—Mini Socratic Seminars—that get every student engaged, thinking deeply, and building real discussion skills.
You’ll learn:
✅ How to set up smaller, safer discussion groups that encourage all voices.
✅ The self-tracking strategy that shifts students’ focus from “just talking” to contributing meaningfully.
✅ Tips for prepping the right kinds of questions and leading a smooth whole-class debrief.
Whether you’re prepping for an upcoming essay, assessing comprehension, or just wanting richer conversations about your texts, this strategy works—and your students will actually enjoy it.
📚 Listen now and discover how a simple format shift can transform classroom discussions into authentic, student-driven learning moments.