 
  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.
Episodes
Episode 362: The Mystery Basket Game That Turns Any Lesson Into a Competition
 
    Episode 361: The Secret to Classroom Culture? It Starts With Your Mindset
 
    Episode 360: From Quiet Review to Total Chaos: Knockout, the Game Students Can’t Stop Playing
 
    Bonus Halloween Episode: Don’t Plan a Thing for Halloween Week—Grab This Free Escape Room Instead
 
    Episode 359: This Simple Treasure Hunt Game Will Change How You Do Review Forever
 
    Episode 358: Letting Go of Comparison — Your Journey, Your Classroom
 
    Episode 357: The Game That Turns Vocabulary, Grammar, and More Into Student Obsessions
 
    Episode 356: Stop Staring at the Mountain in Front of You: Do This Instead
 
    Episode 355: ELA Games Series: Why Bluffing Might Be the Most Fun Way to Practice ELA
 
    Episode 354: ChatGPT Series: 3 ChatGPT Shortcuts Every ELA Teacher Needs to Save Hours on Prep
 
    Episode 353: The Shortcut Narrative Unit: How to Get Powerful Stories in Just 10 Days
 
    Episode 352: ChatGPT Series: Differentiation Without the Extra Work
 
    Episode 351: Balancing Creative and Academic Writing in the Middle School Classroom
 
    Episode 350: ChatGPT Series: Communication & Admin Tasks Made Easier
 
    Episode 349: Scaffolding Evidence: How to Help Students Choose Quotes That Actually Work
 
    Episode 348:ChatGPT Series: Planning Support Without the Overwhelm
 
    Episode 347: From Summary to Justification: Teaching Students to Go Beyond the Obvious
 
    Episode 346: ChatGPT Series: Brainstorming & Lesson Hooks Made Simple
 
    Episode 345: Teaching Grammar in the Flow of Writing
 
    Episode 344: ChatGPT Series: How to Train ChatGPT to Create Rubrics and Feedback
 
    Episode 343: You’re Probably Already Doing This—But It’s the Secret to a Strong Reading Culture
 
    Episode 342: The Secret to a Thriving Classroom Culture
 
    Episode 341: Mini Socratic Seminars: Big Impact in Small Groups
 
    Episode 340: Avoiding Burnout by Letting Go of Perfection in Your Lesson Plans
