Two Middle School ELA Teachers

Spring fever is real — and if your middle school students are suddenly acting like they have forgotten how to sit, listen, think, or care, you are not alone. In this episode, I'm sharing a fun poetry lesson I tried today when my students were restless, distracted, and not exactly eager to do "regular school." I used the poem "Autobiography in Five Short Chapters," but this same idea could work wit...

What makes a teacher truly effective? Is it the lessons they design? The strategies they use? The test scores their students achieve? In this episode of Two Middle School ELA Teachers by ELA Core Plans , we explore 12 characteristics of effective teachers that students consistently remember years later.   If you're a teacher who wants to make a lasting impact—not just academically, but personally—...

In this episode for Middle School ELA teachers , we tackle the nonstop "roast climate" that can hijack your class— yo mama jokes, put-downs, and the back-and-forth that feeds off the audience. You'll learn how to tell the difference between joking and harmful comments using the Roast Scale , what to say in the moment, and how to use clear, consistent consequences to shut it down and reset your cla...

In this episode, Shannon shares two quick, high-engagement writing activities you can use right away—even if winter weather has your schedule totally off track. You'll hear how "The Day the Rules Disappeared" works as a persuasive writing lesson and a classroom reset, plus a fun Valentine's option, "Break Up With Winter," that gets even reluctant writers to buy in. Both resources are FREE and incl...

January can feel like the first day of school all over again—except your middle schoolers are louder, bolder, and ready to test every boundary. In this episode, we're sharing practical, real-life strategies for middle school ELA teachers who need a true classroom reset after winter break. You'll learn how to choose the most important behaviors to reset, tighten routines without long lectures, prev...

If your students stare blankly at rubrics or ignore them altogether, this episode is for you. In this episode of Two Middle School ELA Teachers , Shannon shares a fun, low-stakes, and unforgettable way to introduce students to what a rubric really is—by blowing bubbles. You'll hear how she uses a bubble-blowing challenge to teach the two essential parts of a rubric (criteria and levels) and how th...

Get ready for a frightfully fun October in your ELA classroom! In this episode, Shannon shares how to host a One-Sentence Spooky Story Week to teach sentence structure, punctuation, and style in a way that feels creative and seasonal. Learn how to help students start sentences in new ways, weave in clauses and phrases, and build suspense in just one chilling line. Then, discover how a Dead Word Fu...

Every teacher has those days—when behaviors feel overwhelming, the lesson doesn't land, or you leave school wondering if you're really making a difference. In this episode, I open up about the reality of defeated days in the classroom and share five practical ways to reset. You'll also hear encouragement to remind you that one hard day doesn't define your calling. Tomorrow is a brand-new chance, a...

Are you accidentally making behavior problems worse in your middle school classroom? In this episode, Shannon and Tammy break down five common teacher defense mechanisms —from lagging on lessons to fisheye syndrome—that feel easier in the moment but slowly wreck classroom climate. You'll hear real examples from our classrooms, practical strategies to use instead, and encouragement to step into beh...

In this episode, I'm sharing a quick, engaging vocabulary activity you can try tomorrow in your middle school ELA class and an update that will make your planning life easier. Be sure and download our FREE sample of the ELA Core Club! Just click the link below.  https://bit.ly/elaclubfreebie Ready to purchase all of the systems in the ELA Core Club and have coaching calls with us?  Click here!  If...

In today's episode of Two Middle School ELA Teachers by ELA Core Plans , Shannon shares one of her all-time favorite middle school ELA classroom activities! This isn't just fun and games—it's powerful ELA instruction wrapped in courtroom drama.  If you want the complete mock trial resource for Rikki-tikki-tavi that is discussed in this episode, you can download it on TPT by clicking this link!  Al...

Classroom management doesn't have to be a trial-by-fire experience. In this episode of Two Middle School ELA Teachers , Shannon and Tammy get real about the rookie behavior mistakes they made—and still see others making—in middle school classrooms.  Whether you're a brand new teacher or a veteran who's feeling the midweek burnout, this heart-to-heart will leave you with practical behavior tips you...

In this episode of Two Middle School ELA Teachers , we're announcing the three amazing winners of our ELA Core Club Giveaway.  We're thrilled for these teachers to experience the full power of the ELA Core Club Year-long curriculum! But that's not all... we've got a free gift just for YOU, our listeners. You can now download a free sample of the ELA Core Club for 6th, 7th, or 8th grade . It's pack...

Start your school year with laughter, connection, and classroom community! In this episode of Two Middle School ELA Teachers by ELA Core Plans , we're sharing engaging icebreakers that are perfect for Day 1 in your ELA classroom. From team-building challenges to creative communication games, you'll find activities that help students bond—and make your first day fun and memorable. Plus, don't miss...

Want to start the school year strong with a classroom full of motivated, respectful, and engaged middle schoolers? In this episode of Two Middle School ELA Teachers , we dive into one of the most important (yet often overlooked) ingredients for classroom success: classroom climate . You'll walk away with ideas you can use right away to create a space your students will love walking into—and that y...

Prime Day is here, and we're sharing some of our favorite classroom tools, organizational must-haves, and a few fun teacher splurges that make the school year smoother. In this episode, we're walking you through our top Amazon picks—things we use (and love!) in our middle school ELA classrooms to stay calm, collected, and ready to teach. From color-coded folders and dry erase boards to our dream i...

In this episode, we're talking about the three systems every middle school ELA teacher should have in place before school starts — systems that save time, reduce stress, and actually work all year long!   Plus, we'll show you how to grab everything we mention (and then some!) inside the ELA Core Club — and how to get started with our free First Week ELA Launch Kit ! Grab your free week of lesson p...

In today's episode, I'm sharing how I'm spending my summer—and it's not just about relaxing! From reading a powerful book to exploring creative outlets, I'm discovering some exciting ways to bring new ideas into my world, and I want to share how you can do this too! Plus, I've got a special offer for those of you looking to make a move this summer. Tune in to hear how you can start building someth...

2 End-of-Year ELA Activities Your Students Will Actually Enjoy It's May, the end of the school year, and we all know what that means – restless students, tired teachers, and a countdown to summer break. But before you toss your gradebook in the air and head for the beach, I've got two creative, low-prep ELA activities that will keep your students engaged and laughing through the final days of scho...

Are you unknowingly teaching to just a few students while the rest fade into the background? In this solo episode of Two Middle School ELA Teachers , Shannon dives into two hidden classroom challenges— fisheye syndrome and the classic case of hogs and logs .

In this episode of Two Middle School ELA Teachers by ELA Core Plans , Shannon shares effective strategies for keeping middle school students engaged and motivated during the end-of-year slump, especially in April and May. With state testing approaching, it can be challenging to maintain focus, but Shannon offers practical tips to help. Listen for fresh ideas on how to keep your students energized,...

In this episode of Two Middle School ELA Teachers by ELA Core Plans , Shannon shares a fun and competitive review game called "Sink or Swim" that's perfect for engaging middle school students in ELA practice. Learn how to use this game to review important concepts like comma rules, test prep, and more. Shannon also shares a helpful hack for finding released test questions to help your students pre...

Test prep season is here, and middle school ELA teachers know the struggle—students zoning out while reading passage after passage. In this episode, we're sharing high-impact comprehension strategies that actually work! We'll talk about five strategies that  that work for fi ction and nonfiction   to help students stay engaged, monitor their understanding, and tackle test passages with confidence.

Grading essays can be overwhelming , especially with a large class. In this episode, I share how I used ChatGPT to provide detailed, consistent, and unbiased feedback on my middle school students' writing. I'll walk you through the exact process I used, how it  saved me hours of grading time , and why my students actually found the feedback more helpful than traditional comments.

In this episode of Two Middle School ELA Teachers , Shannon takes you through an engaging, hands-on activity called "The Great Nonfiction Scavenger Hunt" —perfect for introducing nonfiction to your middle school students. Say goodbye to zoning out during note-taking and hello to interactive stations that keep students moving, thinking, and learning. Shannon shares how she sets up six stations focu...