Teaching Middle School ELA

Coming back from break can feel overwhelming—for you and your students. In today’s Teaching Middle School ELA podcast episode, we’re sharing the very first writing routine you should teach when you return, and why this one simple shift makes everything feel easier. If you’re looking for a calm, confidence-building way to reset your writing block and set the tone for the weeks ahead, this episode i...

It’s our first podcast episode of the year, and we’re starting with a message so many of us need right now. If you’ve been stepping into the new year feeling behind, this Monday Mindset is for you. We’re talking about why that feeling shows up, what it really means, and how you might actually be far more ahead than you think . A grounding, encouraging reset to kick off the year. 🎧✨ 

Today’s episode is a special one because we’re welcoming back a familiar face—our very own Pat from the EB Team 🎉 You’ve heard Pat before, and since then, we’ve gotten so many questions about how EB resources actually come to life. So today, we’re pulling back the curtain. From the first spark of an idea, to collaboration, revisions, teacher feedback… and yes—the step at the very end that almost...

Today’s Monday Mindset episode is your gentle permission slip to skip the pressure of traditional New Year’s resolutions and try something that actually works . We’re sharing a simple, joyful shift that helps you create a year that feels better, flows easier, and supports the version of you you’re becoming. If you’re ready for a fresh start without the overwhelm, this episode is your cozy little b...

Looking for simple, high-impact routines that make teaching feel lighter and your classroom run smoother? In today’s episode, Caitlin shares five of her favorite practical routines that help create calm beginnings, peaceful endings, predictable pacing, better student behavior, and effortless paper management. These are routines you can implement tomorrow and use for the rest of the semester to sav...

In today’s Monday Mindset, is your cozy little reminder that winter break alone won’t magically refill your cup— unless you do one simple, powerful thing. We’re diving into the mindset shift that helps you feel lighter, calmer, and genuinely restored long before break even begins. If you’re craving clarity, breathing room, and a gentler pace this season, this episode is your warm nudge in the righ...

In today’s episode, we’re talking about the uncomfortable truth most teachers don’t want to hear: skipping planning doesn’t save time—it drains it. When you plan day-to-day, you’re making hundreds of decisions while already exhausted, and that’s what’s stealing your energy, your evenings, and your peace of mind.  You’ll also learn how batch planning works, why it’s flexible (not rigid), and how a...

Today’s Monday Mindset episode is a powerful reminder that being an incredible teacher doesn’t mean sacrificing your evenings, weekends, or well-being. The best teachers aren’t the ones who stay the latest—they’re the ones who protect their energy, set boundaries, and show up refreshed and present for their students. Tune in for a mindset shift that gives you permission to step away… without guilt...

Today on the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast, we’re joined by our very own Membership Manager, Genevieve Chavez , who’s sharing the incredible story of how one teacher got her most reluctant writers begging to revise—yes, even right before winter break! It’s an inspiring, practical, feel-good episode you won’t want to miss. Tune in and let Genevieve’s insights spark new ideas for your own write...

In today’s Monday Mindset episode, we’re reminding ourselves that rest isn’t a reward—it’s a necessity. When we intentionally slow down, we give our minds and bodies the space they need to reset, refocus, and show up stronger. This week, choose rest with purpose and watch how it transforms your energy, clarity, and joy. 

Before break energy hits full chaos mode… we’ve got you covered. In today’s episode, we’re bringing on Pat from our curriculum team to share a pre-break activity your students will beg to do again — and yes, it’s sneakily building their understanding of setting too. Fun, meaningful, and totally classroom-ready. 

Today, we’re talking about staying calm amidst the chaos — especially during this busy season when everything feels louder, faster, and more overwhelming than usual. In this episode, Caitlin shares quick, practical mindset shifts to help you ground yourself, protect your energy, and move through the week with more ease (yes, even when life is wild!). Perfect reset to start your Monday strong.  Ple...

The Wednesday before Thanksgiving can feel chaotic — high energy, low focus, zero attention span. But what if it didn’t have to be survival mode? In today’s episode, Caitlin shares a simple gratitude writing project that transforms that busy pre-break day into one of the most meaningful moments of your school year. It’s low-prep, highly engaging, and helps students practice real writing skills whi...

This week’s Monday Mindset episode dives into one of the hardest parts of personal growth: facing the truths we’ve been avoiding. Caitlin opens up about the “mirror moments” in her life — times when uncomfortable honesty led to deep healing, stronger leadership, and real transformation. Whether you’re a teacher navigating what’s not working in your classroom, a leader owning your blind spots, or s...

If your students seem “allergic” to writing — or if teaching writing feels like it’s eating your entire prep time — today's Teaching Middle School ELA episode will completely shift how you see the problem. Caitlin breaks down the simple structure-behind-choice system that skyrockets engagement, eliminates chaos, and actually saves you time. If you’ve ever tried choice boards and felt overwhel...

If you’ve ever felt the slow creep of burnout — the shrinking energy, the growing to-do list, the joy that quietly slips away — this episode is going to hit home. Caitlin opens up about her own “burnout wake-up call” in the classroom and the simple but powerful non-negotiables that helped her reclaim her time, energy, and purpose. Whether you’re a teacher feeling stretched too thin or a student pu...

Teaching writing doesn’t have to feel hard — it just takes one mindset shift and a clear framework. In today's Teaching Middle School ELA podcast episode, Caitlin shares how to trust yourself, your system, and your students so teaching writing feels calm, confident, and easy. Tune in and discover how to step into your power as a writing teacher! 

You know that uncomfortable middle space — where you can see the vision of who you’re becoming, but you’re not quite there yet? That’s what today’s episode is all about. Caitlin opens up about her own season of “in-between,” where growth felt slow and uncertain — and how she learned to see that space not as wasted time, but as sacred ground for transformation. If you’re in a chapter that feels unf...

In today’s episode, Caitlin dives into why the RACE formula falls short for essay writing—and how the EBW Approach takes students from “answering questions” to thinking like real writers. You’ll learn how to recognize when your students are ready to level up, and what simple steps to take to help them move from summary to true analysis.  ------------------------------------------------------------...

Today, on the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast, Caitlin breaks down exactly why writing feels overwhelming — and how the problem isn’t you , it’s the system .  You’ll discover three simple, teacher-tested frameworks that will help you:  ✅ Simplify writing instruction without reinventing the wheel  ✅ Give faster, more meaningful feedback  ✅ Bring fun (and confidence!) back into your students’...

When we think of courage, we often picture grand, dramatic moments — standing up to someone, taking a huge leap, or making a bold change. But in today’s Monday Mindset episode, we’re exploring a different kind of courage — the quiet, everyday kind that often goes unseen. Caitlin shares her own story of rebuilding confidence and identity after a long recovery, and how real courage sometimes looks l...

Ready to turn ordinary review time into pure excitement? In today’s episode of The Teaching Middle School ELA Podcast , we’re bringing you another hit from our Classroom Games Series: Mystery Baskets 🧺✨ This activity works with any ELA concept—grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, root words, you name it—and adds just the right amount of suspense and competition to get your students hooked. They’l...

Your classroom culture starts with you. 💛 In this week’s episode, Caitlin shares three powerful mindset shifts that can completely transform how you show up—for yourself and your students. Tune in to discover how small inner changes can create big outer results.  From Mark Traver's article: A Psychologist Shares The ‘90-Second Rule’ To Survive Emotional Waves https://www.forbes.com/sites/tra...

Welcome back to our Games Series! Today, we’re bringing the energy with one of the most exciting review games you’ll ever play in your ELA classroom— Knockout. This game transforms any concept—whether it’s text structures, grammar, or figurative language—into a high-stakes, fast-paced classroom battle. Students aren’t just answering questions; they’re defending their spaces, protecting their wins,...

Halloween week in middle school can feel like complete chaos—costumes, candy, and zero focus. But what if you could channel that energy into something productive and fun ? In this special bonus episode, Caitlin shares a free, done-for-you Haunted Forest Escape Room that keeps your students engaged, practicing key ELA skills, and (miraculously!) on task during one of the wildest weeks of the year....