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
Stop Using RACE: The Better Writing Framework Students Actually Understand
In today’s episode, Caitlin dives into why the RACE formula falls short for essay writing—and how the EBW Approach takes students from “answering questions” to thinking like real writers. You’ll learn how to recognize when your students are ready to level up, and what simple steps to take to help them move from summary to true analysis.
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👉YouTube Video on How to Grade an Essay Quickly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOpcjGPIRTw&t=2s
👉Past Podcast Episodes:
Episode 338: How to Feel More Confident Teaching Writing (Even If You Don’t Love It)
https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/2071023/episodes/17499844-episode-338-how-to-feel-more-confident-te...
Episode 248: Stop Writing Sample Essays with Your Students; Do THIS Instead
https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/2071023/episodes/13669702-episode-248-stop-writing-sample-essays-wi...
Episode 238: Increase Students' Writing Scores in 30 Minutes or Less
https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/2071023/episodes/13132908-episode-238-increase-students-writing-sco...
👉Grab your free download for the Case of the Missing Pearls: ebteacher.com/pearls