Teaching Middle School ELA

In today's Monday Mindset, I'm exploring a life mantra that can instantly break down the walls of a "stuck" mindset! Marie Forleo's infectious philosophy that 'everything is figureoutable' breathes new life into the way we tackle problems. I pay tribute to that mindset in this episode, reflecting on the belief that every challenge has a solution waiting to be unc...

On this episode of the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast, join your hosts Caitlin, Jessica, and Megan as they delve into the diverse approaches of teacher development programs across the globe. Drawing from conversations from a recent article titled, What the World Can Teach Us by Harry K. Wong, Ted Britton, and Tom Ganser, they uncover intriguing insights into how different countries support and...

Have you heard the old Julie Andrews quote, "When life shuts one door, another window opens." ? In today's Monday Mindset, I reflect on how those closed doors in our lives often nudge us toward paths we're meant to walk. By shifting our perspective of rejection to one of needed redirection, we can receive those circumstances in a whole new way! We'll explore the philosophy...

Get ready for an important episode of the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast! Listen in as your hosts, Caitlin, Jessica, and Megan tackle the topic of middle school ELA research units and exactly how you can make them engaging and memorable for your students. In this episode, we're sharing personal experiences and practical tips for creating research projects that your students will actually...

Are you ready to take a moment to consider whether or not you're living in the past, present, or future? In today's Monday Mindset, I reflect on the importance of self-reflecting on exactly where you are operating from. So often we choose to allow frustration or regrets from our past or the fear of the future to completely destroy our mindset and the choices we make today. I invite you t...

On this episode of the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast we're diving into the topic of making informational texts your students' new favorite genre! Navigating through the complexities of analyzing informational texts can often be a daunting task for our middle school students. In today's episode, we discuss the simple yet powerful trick we used time and time again to actually emp...

Get ready for a deep dive into self-reflection on today's Monday Mindset! In this episode, I present the question, "What defines a luxury in your life?". This conversation should challenge the status quo of what the world considers a "luxury" and really push you to consider what you personally value. Ramit Sethi, the author of "I Will Teach You to Be Rich," offer...

On this episode of the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast, Megan sits down with acclaimed teacher coach and author of "Rooted in Joy," Dr. Deonna Smith! They're covering Dr. Smith's favorite secrets for cultivating a classroom experience that builds positivity and inclusivity while fostering strong relationships that encourage students to take ownership of their learning. Dr. S...

In today's Monday Mindset, I am delving into the empowering concept of abundance and timing. I challenge the belief that missing out on certain opportunities means failure. Instead, it often signifies that we're not yet fully prepared for what we desire. Just because something didn't happen now doesn't mean it won't happen in the future or that it was what was best for us...

Ever felt like the challenge of meeting each student's unique learning needs with ELA lessons was a puzzle with too many pieces? On this episode of the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast, Caitlin, Jessica, and Megan discuss a straightforward method to differentiate your ELA instruction using the scaffolding of Bloom's Taxonomy. You'll walk away with a simple hack that integrates dif...

In today's Monday Mindset, I dive into the profound wisdom shared by Mel Robbins and explore the transformative power of paying attention to life's lessons. Drawing from Mel Robbins' inspiring words, I reflect on the importance of embracing every moment, even the toughest ones, as opportunities for growth and connection. As we navigate life's challenges and triumphs, it's...

On this episode of the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast, we are diving into the art of preparing middle school ELA students for state tests without losing engagement and purpose in our lessons. Megan joins Caitlin and Jessica for a conversation that explores strategies for striking that perfect balance between incorporating essential skills into our curriculum in ways that keep engagement high a...

Get ready for a transformative Monday Mindset! Today, I'm diving into a fresh perspective on overcoming obstacles and seizing opportunities for growth. Join me as we reflect on how our perception of obstacles drastically impacts our approach to life. Instead of viewing obstacles as barriers, let's explore the idea of seeing them as detours in the right direction, guiding us toward our tr...

On this episode of the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast, our curriculum writer, Pat, joins us to discuss the seemingly impossible task of catering our lessons to every student's unique learning style. Consider this episode your peek behind the curtain into a classroom where differentiation doesn't mean chaos. After listening you'll have a full list of differentiation ideas that wo...

Get ready for a deep dive into self-reflection on today's Monday Mindset! In this episode, I'll be exploring the transformative power of self-compassion and the vital role it plays in our personal growth journey. Join me as I shine a light on the importance of putting an end to self-judgment. From our fitness aspirations to our personal commitments, I'll show you how every setback p...

On this episode of the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast, your hosts Caitlin, Jessica, and Megan are discussing additional takeaways from Jessica's recent visit to the Ron Clark Academy, specifically focusing on the impact a great teacher has on student growth. They're diving into the research behind the correlation of a teacher and their students' success, and exactly how you can...

In today's Monday Mindset episode, I am exploring the concept of living abundantly, regardless of your circumstances. I'm considering the idea of gratitude and the awareness of abundance in our lives. As you listen, consider the importance of being open to receiving and giving, as well as how the practice of letting go can invite more goodness into our lives. Tune in to this quick episod...

On this episode of the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast, we're diving into something that might not be talked about very often among educators. Can we actually learn to admire annoying student behaviors? Tune in as your hosts discuss practical strategies for handling challenging student behaviors in the classroom while drawing from their own experiences and research. They explore the concep...

In today's Monday Mindset episode, I'm sharing a thought centered around the idea of proving yourself wrong. I want to challenge you and your beliefs around your limitations. I'll share a personal experience where I thought I could not accomplish a seemingly impossible task and the liberating feeling of proving myself wrong and overcoming my fears. This concept directly applies to e...

On this episode of the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast, Megan welcomed Sarah Levine and Chris Ma from Stanford University, who discussed an innovative approach to literature by integrating students' emotional responses into the heart of literary analysis. Together they unpacked how emotions play a pivotal role in enhancing students' connections to texts. Chris and Sarah guide us throu...

In today's Monday Mindset episode, I am discussing how we can actually redefine our relationship with time and harness its power to work in our favor. By exploring the concept of radical responsibility and embracing the idea that we are the source of time, I'll share practical strategies for making time for the things that truly matter to us. From setting non-negotiables to using constra...

On this episode of the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast, Caitlin and Jessica welcome Patricia Abel, EB Academics' curriculum writer, and veteran ELA teacher, to discuss building reading comprehension with our middle school students. Reading comprehension is a large part of the Science of Reading that directly relates to your middle school classroom, and we are making sure you have practical...

In today's Monday Mindset episode, I'm taking a look into the idea of creating newness in our lives by embracing the process of letting go. We'll take a moment to reflect on how releasing old beliefs, friendships, and ways of being can open up space for new and rewarding opportunities. Join me as we discover the transformative power of embracing change and making room for newness in...

On this episode of the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast, Megan interviews Jessica to get all the exciting details from her visit to the legendary Ron Clark Academy. They're covering some seriously cool strategies to amp up your vocabulary and comprehension skills for middle schoolers. Everything from fun and engaging games to using tech for personalized learning, Jessica's got the insi...

In today's Monday Mindset episode, I present a thought-provoking topic that stemmed from a motivational speaker's presentation I witnessed at a recent business retreat. This presentation made me consider how often we anticipate the worst when things are going well, and what could happen if we shift our perspective by posing a simple yet profound question instead: "How much better ca...