Teaching Middle School ELA

Teachers know just how important engagement is in a classroom. Not only do students need to be engaged to learn, but engaging lessons are also essential to successful classroom management. While there are TONS of strategies out there, Caitlin and Jessica offer listeners one very simple way to create engagement in the classroom: use music! We think these practical and fun ideas will be just what yo...

When I’m doing something new, I usually have serious doubts. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to accomplish whatever the task may be. This belief system is super limiting, so I needed to start creating evidence for myself that I actually can do it. How do you do that? You show up everyday to prove to yourself that you can do it, and you are doing it. This evidence will then help us to create a new...

Using games in the classroom can be an easy way to motivate students to review numerous concepts in ELA. To round out April’s four-part series discussing engagement in the classroom, Caitlin and Jessica share details about two of their favorite games to use with students. While these games are both easy to prep and fun, they also provide valuable review time for your learners as the school year wi...

If you struggle with anxiety, know that you're not alone. Many of us are dealing with it on a daily basis, including me, so when I heard this statement it really resonated with me. Anxiety is such a difficult place to be in when it feels like the sky is falling. If we allow our mind to go with the “what ifs,” we will continue to fall down the dark hole that is anxiety. However, if we choose t...

The idea of a Genius Hour originated in some of today’s most innovative and groundbreaking companies, and it’s also a great activity to use in your classroom. As the school year comes to a close, and you and your students need fresh and interesting activities, we think implementing a Genius Hour in your classroom will be just the thing to motivate your students! By allowing learners to invest time...

Middle school is a tough time. There are so many things going on in the world and new challenges that our students are facing. High school is approaching, and oftentimes there are many big decisions that come with that. That may bring on anxiety or a nervous feeling. I think it’s important to discuss these things and realize that those feelings can be a “normal nervous” that everyone is dealing wi...

Have you ever struggled to keep your students motivated to learn at the end of the school year? Maybe you’ve been searching for ways to help your students master the standards but with an activity that appeals to them. In today’s episode, Caitlin and Jessica discuss a special research project called The Year I Was Born. Not only will your students be interested in the research, but the final proje...

This is so applicable to every aspect of our lives. Think of something that is hard for you. Maybe it's putting your child back to bed at 2 in the morning, or maybe you’re working on pushing yourself in the gym. These things may be extremely difficult now, but in a few months they will become easy. Doing the hard work is creating habits which will in turn create an easier life for us in the f...

Writing essays may not sound like the most exciting activity to your middle school students, but Caitlin and Jessica have a unique idea to freshen up that typical essay in your classroom! Today on the podcast, listeners will hear all about how to implement a visual essay. This is a creative assignment that will help your students practice and master the writing standards. They’re still writing an...

Oftentimes things don’t go our way, and we feel like things aren’t working out for us. Instead of feeling like a failure, try switching your mindset. Sit in the knowing that something better is coming. What if that “no” you received was actually protecting you and opening you up to the possibility of something greater? So, consider where you are experiencing this type of protection in your life an...

In this final episode in our four-part series about poetry, Caitlin and Jessica discuss Two Voice Poetry. This activity will help your students practice several ELA standards, and as always, you’ll hear practical steps for setting this lesson up in your own classroom in the episode. We think you’ll definitely want to try this special activity with your students! Are you enjoying the podcast? Tag u...

Our thoughts are harmless unless we believe them to be true. If we can look at thoughts as neither being negative or positive, we can decide if we want to entertain them.  Once we believe our thoughts, they will dictate our response and the reality we create for ourselves in our lives. So, try to notice your thoughts and get to know them. Ask yourself if they are serving you. If not, move on and o...

One of the best ways to help improve your students’ writing is to provide them with solid mentor texts. When students examine a well-written sample essay, it gives them something to strive for in their own writing. Sounds great, except many teachers don’t have the extra time to write sample essays for each of their writing units. In today’s podcast, Caitlin and Jessica solve that problem and share...

While some students (and even teachers) may consider reading poetry to be like watching paint dry, it doesn’t have to be! Caitlin and Jessica share a unique “Into” lesson with listeners that is sure to hook your students, preparing them for a successful and enjoyable experience with poetry. Are you enjoying the podcast? Tag us @ebacademics and let us know which episode you're listening to! Ma...

We all have something that holds us back in life such as control or perfectionism. However, if you feel called to live up to being your higher self, you must release that tendency. Once you do that you create space for something beautiful to happen. So, reflect on the way of being that is holding you back from being your best self and think about what could happen when you do.  Here’s to another w...

Do you struggle to differentiate writing for your students? It can be tough and certainly time-consuming to create multiple essential questions to differentiate in your classroom. AI could be just the solution you’re looking for! In this episode, Caitlin and Jessica discuss how you can use Chat GPT to craft essential questions, engaging each student at their level of learning. Are you enjoying the...

There’s nothing wrong with a little competition, right? In today’s episode, Caitlin and Jessica share a super-engaging March Madness Poetry activity that you can use in your classroom to inspire your students to analyze and enjoy poetry! As always, the lesson ideas are both rigorous and engaging, helping your students to not only learn the standards but enjoy the process of learning. Are you enjoy...

Once you make a decision you must stick to it. There is no room for gray areas. Never question it. You just do it. So think about where you can apply this to your life and stop second-guessing yourself.  Here’s to another week of living intentionally.  Caitlin

I’m sure you’ve heard all the craze around using AI in the classroom. While opinions differ on whether or not students should use the technology, I think we can all agree that it is an effective tool for teachers. Today’s episode is the first of a 3 part series where we’re going to focus on how you, the teacher, can embrace this tool to make your life a whole lot easier and make your lesson prep m...

Do you find that your students dread reading poetry? You can probably picture all of those blank stares you get from your students now. We’ve been there, but in today’s episode, we share some tips and tricks to make poetry fun and less intimidating for both you and your students. You will love these simple activities that can be rinsed and repeated in your classroom all year long! Are you enjoying...

Dr. Linda Harling-Hammond reminds us that we learn much more effectively in a state of positive emotion than we do in a negative one. This is such an impactful statement that we get to remember in our daily lives. It is true for us as educators, parents, partners, friends, and in basically every relationship that we have. Our desire to show up for ourselves and others is greatly impacted when we f...

The stress of testing season is upon us. This episode is a great reminder to NOT just focus on the test. Don’t forget about all of the other fun topics we get to cover. To do this, incorporate some fun test prep practice into your existing curriculum. Remember to use some direction words in your activities and throughout the day so that your students are familiar with using them. Are you enjoying...

So many people suffer from self-doubt. How do we overcome it? How do we move past it? Try to remember the importance of just doing it. This will help to give you concrete evidence that you are actually capable. Start small and move on to bigger things.  Here’s to another week of living intentionally.  Caitlin

We know you don’t want to spend all of your time teaching to the test, but at the same time you need to make sure your students are prepared so they can be successful. The key is adding a little creativity and prep work. Today I’m sharing a Test Prep Treasure Hunt that is super engaging and effective to prepare your students for state testing. Plus, you can use it year after year after it is creat...

Our thoughts really do control our actions. Our minds are so much more powerful than we realize. So whether you think you can or can’t, you’re probably right. I invite you to think about your mindset the next time you attempt to do something. See if you can notice the difference your thoughts make.  Here’s to another week of living intentionally.  Caitlin