Teaching Middle School ELA

So, with that being said, today on the podcast we have several differentiation strategies for you that will work, and that you will find easy to implement. Remember, a strategy is only useful if it’s practical and manageable, and we understand how much is on every middle school teacher’s plate. Links mentioned in this episode: ebacademics.com/ebwritingprogram Are you enjoying the podcast? Tag us @...

Thankfully, over the years, we found that a little preparation goes a long way. In fact, spending just a few hours now could change your ENTIRE year. Listen to this episode to hear why we strongly encourage you to create a scope and sequence for your year. Plus, hear how we scheduled different units into our own! Whether you use our timing, or adjust and do what works for you, creating a scope and...

In today’s episode, we do something a little unconventional. We actually encourage you to break the rules, raise the bar, and take your students to new heights. Caitlin shares her experience defying (and then quickly exceeding) the expectations of her school administration when she knew in her heart that she could produce better results than the provided writing curriculum. Links mentioned in this...

Today on the podcast, we share three unique and engaging ways to get your students analyzing and writing about literature without even realizing it! Plus, if you’re looking to take your entire writing instruction approach to the next level, join us for our FREE live masterclass and learn our proven strategies to get your students writing like never before! Links mentioned in this episode: https://...

When Jessica and I changed the way we taught writing to the EBW Approach, our students’ outcomes wildly improved. No matter how inexperienced your students may be with academic writing, the simple framework and approach we created will elevate your students’ writing and help them achieve results you can’t yet imagine. Are you enjoying the podcast? Tag us @ebacademics and let us know which episode...

In today’s episode, Jessica and I share five simple opportunities to get your students practicing narrative writing throughout the year. With just a little bit of planning, these ideas can easily be woven into any curriculum, and the results in your students’ writing will definitely be worth it! Are you enjoying the podcast? Tag us @ebacademics and let us know which episode you're listening t...

The importance of narrative writing is often glossed over because it can feel like a less academic genre to some teachers. However, today, Jessica and I make the argument that well-organized and thoughtful narrative writing instruction builds writing skills that will serve your students all year long, and in all other genres of writing. Links mentioned in this episode: ebacademics.com/ narrativetr...

In today’s episode, I share my best tip for focusing students’ narrative writing so that the plot of their stories is engaging and organized--all the way through the end. Listen in to hear the simple strategy that changed everything for me. Links mentioned in this episode: ebacademics.com/ narrativetraining Are you enjoying the podcast? Tag us @ebacademics and let us know which episode you're...

On the podcast, Melissa shares how the EB Narrative Writing Course changed not only her experience teaching writing, but also the academic outcomes of her students. She discusses how the strong and logical mini lessons in the course, accompanied by the recommended mentor texts, helped transform her students’ writing. Links mentioned in this episode: ebacademics.com/ narrativetraining Are you enjoy...

We make the argument that hosting a publishing party--and telling your students about it beforehand--will actually improve your students’ writing and make the entire writing process run more smoothly. We also offer tips for going big with your publishing party or keeping it quick and simple. Either way, you will be wow-ed with the results, and your students will feel accomplished and engaged. Are...

In today’s episode, Jessica and I unpack two reasons your students’ narrative writing isn’t meeting your expectations, and we share exactly how you can change that! Prepare to put your ego aside and learn some simple strategies to dramatically improve your instruction and get you and your students the writing results you’ve always wanted. Are you enjoying the podcast? Tag us @ebacademics and let u...

In today’s episode, Jessica and I share our approach to narrative writing. Not unlike our approach to almost all Language Arts content, we recommend a spiral approach. I know that I certainly can’t remember something if I’m taught it once and then never practice it again. The same is true for our middle schoolers!  Today we share our best tips for incorporating narrative writing throughout your sc...

Our journey as colleagues and business partners began almost a decade ago, and today we share a bit about our backgrounds, how we met, and our answers to three surprise questions in order to delve a bit deeper into who we are as educators, business owners, and women. Are you enjoying the podcast? Tag us @ebacademics and let us know which episode you're listening to! Make sure to Subscribe and...

In today’s episode, Jessica shares the model text that changed the way she taught narratives. She discusses her experience using the short story, Up North at the Cabin , to help her students structure their own narratives and hone their figurative language and transition writing skills. Jessica even shares her favorite way to publish students; finished narratives and guess what? It’s online-friend...

Today we share our best tried-and-true tips for thinking big picture, staying ahead of the game, shifting your lesson-planning mindset, and strategically reusing lesson activities. Tune in to get all the details and transform your relationship with lesson planning forever! Links mentioned in this episode: The Emergency Substitute Binder: https://ebacademics.com/2017/06/the-sub-binder-why-its-impor...

Though tricky at first, batch planning will completely change the game for you when it comes to the quality of your lessons and life outside of school. So pull out your calendar and get ready to learn the benefits of batch planning as well as three tips to make it work for your classes today. Links mentioned in this episode: ebacademics.com/detective Are you enjoying the podcast? Tag us @ebacademi...

So much about teaching is growing through exploration, listening to your intuition, and being willing to try, fail, and try again. In today’s episode, Amanda and Marie are open and honest about their experiences being brave in their classrooms, and they offer practical advice on how to get started in your own. Links mentioned in this episode: Brave New Teaching Podcast: https://www.bravenewteachin...

In today’s episode, Kara shares her experience with school closure, moving to distance learning, and balancing teaching content with looking after her students’ wellbeing. Kara offers several fun ideas to nurture relationships and joy, even in this difficult time, plus we discuss two ELA activities that are creative, meaningful, and easily transferred to the online world we find ourselves in. Link...

Today’s guest, David Rickert , shares his expertise regarding incorporating creativity in the classroom. With over twenty years of educational experience, he has a wealth of knowledge to share. In this episode, David offers simple mindset shifts that will help you approach standards, assessments, and daily lesson plans creatively. Links mentioned in this episode: http://davidrickert.com/2020/03/02...

In today’s episode, middle school reading expert Kristy, from 2 Peas and a Dog , shares her perspective on how having a classroom library enhances the quality of reading engagement in the classroom. She also shares how to choose the right books for your library, because as Kristy notes, a classroom library is a curated collection of texts arranged with your students in mind . Links mentioned in th...

Today, I have asked Carrie to share with you her best tips on how to set yourself up for success during your next teaching interview. With spring right around the corner, some of you might be peeking at openings in other districts or positions, and even if not, it never hurts to be prepared because you just never know when your dream job could pop up. The tips she shares are golden, so grab your n...

When you think about grammar instruction, do you feel excited and passionate or shudder and groan? I find that the topic of grammar elicits very strong and often opposing responses among ELA teachers. Basically, you either love it or you hate it.  For those of you who love grammar instruction, you are in luck because today’s podcast episode is all about how to knock it out of the park in your clas...

Have you ever considered that one reason your students misbehave in the classroom is because they are not engaged? You may be working your butt off to ensure that they’re meeting the standards and becoming the best readers and writers they can be, but if your lessons aren’t engaging, there’s bound to be some classroom management issues you’re facing. When students are engaged in their learning, th...

"I have a confidence and a calmness to me knowing that I’m meeting standards, but I’m also making them have fun. I don’t have to go into tomorrow thinking they may not like this because I know that they’re going to love what we’re doing. It’s an overall happiness."  Those are just a few of Chelsey's transformations that she's seen as a result of joining The EB Teachers' Cl...

Teachers consistently reach out to us asking how to make their classrooms run more smoothly because they are struggling to accomplish everything that needs to get done in a single period.  Think about it. Teachers are expected to manage taking attendance, checking homework, chatting with students about missing work or grades, passing out all the things, and collecting others--all while keeping twe...