Teaching Middle School ELA

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...

On this episode of the Teaching Middle School ELA Podcast, we're tackling the hot topic of the Science of Reading and its place in the middle school ELA classroom. We know it can feel overwhelming and mysterious, especially for us, middle school ELA teachers. After receiving messages from teachers who are eager to understand and apply the science of reading in their classes, we knew it was ti...

In today's Monday Mindset episode, I explore the theme "Judgment Kills Bravery" inspired by a quote from Brene Brown. It's important to consider the detrimental effects of judgment, and how it can hinder our ability to be brave and open ourselves up to growth. Let's be curious about our own judgmental thoughts and how we can operate differently with each other. Join me as...

On this episode of the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast we are diving into a topic presented to us by one of our EB Teachers! How do we actually prepare for the unexpected? You'll learn our best advice for handling student absences and unexpected situations in the classroom. From what to do when students miss speaking and listening activities to how to support students who miss out on group...

In today's Monday Mindset episode, I'm discussing the power of looking ahead with positivity and gratitude. I'll share a few personal insights on how viewing the future with joyful anticipation has dramatically impacted my life, and I'm inviting you to consider the idea that "Life happens FOR us." Consider what may happen if you embrace a mindset of openness to receiv...

Episode 266: Interview with Grace Stevens on Setting Healthy Boundaries On this episode of The Teaching Middle School ELA Podcast guest host, Grace Stevens, joins us with a wealth of experience in the field of education. With two decades of experience as a public school teacher, she has witnessed and navigated the complex landscape of education before, during, and after the tumultuous era of COVID...

In today's Monday Mindset , I'm discussing the impact of our "Positive Self-Talk" and sharing a few of my own experiences with those not so helpful negative thoughts that can really shape how we see ourselves. I'll dive into the idea of being aware of what we tell ourselves and how it can totally change our game. You'll learn a few of my go-to strategies for shifting...

Welcome back to another episode of Teaching Middle School ELA! On this episode, we're going deep into the strategic use of prep-periods to do more than just stay afloat! You'll meet our new co-host Megan Wyant, from Team EB, who will be joining Caitlin and Jessica this season to provide a fresh perspective on all things middle school ELA! Tune in to this episode and walk away with practi...

In today's Monday Mindset, I'll walk you through the highlights of my personal journey of self-discovery and transformation in the year 2023. You'll be encouraged to explore the concept of greatness and how it can be defined uniquely for each of us. I hope you'll consider how you can be curious about your own potential and capabilities in the coming year, 2024. Join me in embra...

Join us as we revisit a past episode all about how to utilize batch lesson planning to help you move past overwhelm and take action in your lesson preparation. Caitlin and Jessica break down the process from a macro overview to a micro level, providing practical tips and examples to guide you through the process. Batch planning can truly transform your life as a teacher, making it possible to find...

Today I reflect on a topic from a past episode where I explore how to take action and live in alignment with our deepest values. Especially as teachers, it can be challenging to find the time outside of our busy schedules to pursue our passions and dreams. However, by examining the impact we can make by aligning our values, actions, and results, we may discover a path towards true inner happiness....

Today’s episode is a past teacher favorite where we dive into a powerful concept that can revolutionize your lesson planning and help you reclaim your time as an educator. We'll be exploring the practice of batch planning and how it can transform your teaching life for the better. Join us as we break down two simple steps to kick-start your batch planning journey, dive into the into, through,...

In this episode, we revisit a former Monday Mindset all about the art of decision-making. I share valuable insights and tips about how to align our decisions with our values. I explore the impact of emotions on decision-making and the power of neutrality. Ultimately, I encourage listeners to view decisions as opportunities for growth and learning. Here’s to another day of living intentionally. Cai...

In today's episode, we revisit a favorite topic: using Publishing Parties in your ELA classroom! Listen in to hear why publishing parties are a critical part of any writing unit. We will discuss various ideas for hosting publishing parties and how they can create an authentic audience for student work. Publishing parties can be a fun way for students to showcase their writing and feel pride i...

Today we revisit a past episode where I reflect on my personal journey of reading and some of the books that have had a sincere affect on my growth and happiness. I challenge you to step out of your comfort zone and discover new perspectives, pushing yourself to the next level. I’ll share some of my favorite books, and I encourage listeners to be open to new ideas and ways of being.  Here’s to ano...

Are you finding it challenging to keep your students focused and excited during your ELA class period? We’ve got you covered in this episode where we explore three captivating short stories, along with interactive activities that will grab your students' attention and keep them on their toes. You’ll hear about how to use a treasure hunt, a fun prediction activity, and a game of knockout to en...

Today we are re-airing a past episode where I dive into the thought-provoking concept of  "Compassionate Emptiness." As educators, sometimes we can fall into the trap of simply acting as problem solvers. I challenge this way of being and discuss the idea of listening with compassion and nothing else. In doing this, we can provide our students with the space they need to be heard without...

In this episode of the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast, we’re re-airing a past episode that is a teacher favorite! Listen in as we dive into an activity that will transform your pre-reading experience with your students. Get ready to discover the power of Anticipation Stations and how they can elevate your students' understanding, engagement, and critical thinking skills for any text. We&a...

Today we’re airing a past Monday Mindset episode where I discuss the concept of going above and beyond in our relationships and connections with others. Giving, not just in terms of time, but also in offering kindness, compassion, and support to others, is a powerful tool. When we give without expecting anything in return, we can positively impact our lives, experiencing deeper connections and mea...

Welcome back to another episode of Teaching Middle School ELA! In today's podcast, we are re-airing one of our all-time favorite episodes, "Setting Yourself Up for Success During Winter Break." As the holiday season approaches, we know how important it is for you to fully enjoy your time off from school without the worry of lesson plans and grading. We will be sharing three strategi...

Today’s Monday Mindset is one of our listeners’ favorite past episodes all about discipline. I highlight the value of discipline in both our work and personal lives, discussing how our future selves will thank us when it comes to practicing discipline. I challenge listeners to identify areas in their own lives where discipline may be lacking, and I encourage you to make a commitment to yourself. B...

Welcome back to another episode of the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast where we are diving into a simple hack for teaching student-friendly short stories. We all know the struggle of trying to engage our students with complex texts that may be challenging for them. But fear not, because we have some strategies to make those required texts more accessible and enjoyable for your students. Listen...

In today’s Monday Mindset, listeners will hear a favorite past episode all about a concept called “Quiet Quitting” that has been making waves in the education community. While we acknowledge the challenges that educators face in an imperfect educational landscape, our focus today is on supporting your mental health and well-being. Join me as I discuss how controlling your thoughts and reactions ca...

In today’s episode of Teaching Middle School ELA, we're diving into the tricky standard of analyzing conflicting information. With the overwhelming amount of media that students consume and the need to determine what is credible information, this is a vital skill for them to develop. From understanding conflicting information to identifying shared and conflicting details among texts, evaluati...

In this Monday Mindset, we revisit a past episode where I explore the power of our surroundings and the impact they have on our lives and mindset. I unpack the concept of surrounding ourselves with “A+ players,” and the profound influence it can have on our personal growth and happiness.  Intentionally choosing the company we keep and creating a positive environment for ourselves and our students...