Teaching Middle School ELA

On this episode of the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast, your hosts Caitlin, Jessica, and Megan are discussing additional takeaways from Jessica's recent visit to the Ron Clark Academy, specifically focusing on the impact a great teacher has on student growth. They're diving into the research behind the correlation of a teacher and their students' success, and exactly how you can ensure you're consistently working on developing your teaching methods in a way that avoids burnout and makes your career actually enjoyable for the long haul!Tune in as they spend time breaking it all down in this episode!Are you enjoying the podcast?Make sure to subscribe to our channel and leave us a review!  To leave a review in iTunes, click HERE by scrolling down our show page, selecting a star rating, and tapping “Write a review.” Let us know how this podcast is helping you in your ELA classroom!Interested in joining the EB Teachers' Club with thousands of other middle school ELA teachers from around the globe? Join the waitlist today, and you'll be the first to know when we open enrollment again! https://www.ebteacher.com/ebtc-waitlist

On this episode of the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast, we're diving into something that might not be talked about very often among educators.Can we actually learn to admire annoying student behaviors?Tune in as your hosts discuss practical strategies for handling challenging student behaviors in the classroom while drawing from their own experiences and research. They explore the concept of recognizing, reframing, and redirecting student behaviors in a positive and empowering way, sharing real-life examples that can help you build better relationships with your students and create a more effective and engaging learning environment. As you listen, you'll learn insightful tips and valuable perspectives that can be applied immediately in your classroom. Plus, stay tuned for a sneak peek into next week's episode on the research behind great teachers and student growth. Get ready for an enlightening and impactful episode!Are you enjoying the podcast?Make sure to subscribe to our channel and leave us a review!  To leave a review in iTunes, click HERE by scrolling down our show page, selecting a star rating, and tapping “Write a review.” Let us know how this podcast is helping you in your ELA classroom!Interested in joining the EB Teachers' Club with thousands of other middle school ELA teachers from around the globe? Join the waitlist today, and you'll be the first to know when we open enrollment again! https://www.ebteacher.com/ebtc-waitlist

On this episode of the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast, Megan welcomed Sarah Levine and Chris Ma from Stanford University, who discussed an innovative approach to literature by integrating students' emotional responses into the heart of literary analysis.Together they unpacked how emotions play a pivotal role in enhancing students' connections to texts. Chris and Sarah guide us through their "funds of feeling" approach, where students explore literature using a blend of emotional engagement and intellectual rigor.Listen in to learn strategies such as the "up-down; both-why" technique and the use of sentence stems, which help students tie their feelings to textual evidence and academic discourse. This method goes beyond traditional analysis, encouraging a richer, more personal understanding of literature.So, whether you're discussing Shakespeare or contemporary novels, get ready for valuable insights that promise to impact your classroom discussions and deepen students' literary appreciation.Tune in as they break it all down in this episode!Links mentioned: https://publicationsncte.org/content/journals/10.58680/ej202332489Are you enjoying the podcast?Make sure to subscribe to our channel and leave us a review!  To leave a review in iTunes, click HERE by scrolling down our show page, selecting a star rating, and tapping “Write a review.” Let us know how this podcast is helping you in your ELA classroom!Interested in joining the EB Teachers' Club with thousands of other middle school ELA teachers from around the globe? Join the waitlist today, and you'll be the first to know when we open enrollment again! https://www.ebteacher.com/ebtc-waitlist

On this episode of the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast, Caitlin and Jessica welcome Patricia Abel, EB Academics' curriculum writer, and veteran ELA teacher, to discuss building reading comprehension with our middle school students. Reading comprehension is a large part of the Science of Reading that directly relates to your middle school classroom, and we are making sure you have practical strategies to easily implement inside your classroom. Tune in as they spend time breaking it all down in this episode!Are you enjoying the podcast?Make sure to subscribe to our channel and leave us a review!  To leave a review in iTunes, click HERE by scrolling down our show page, selecting a star rating, and tapping “Write a review.” Let us know how this podcast is helping you in your ELA classroom!Interested in joining the EB Teachers' Club with thousands of other middle school ELA teachers from around the globe? Join the waitlist today, and you'll be the first to know when we open enrollment again! https://www.ebteacher.com/ebtc-waitlist

On this episode of the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast, Megan interviews Jessica to get all the exciting details from her visit to the legendary Ron Clark Academy. They're covering some seriously cool strategies to amp up your vocabulary and comprehension skills for middle schoolers. Everything from fun and engaging games to using tech for personalized learning, Jessica's got the inside scoop on all the awesome ideas she gathered while there. Tune in as they break it all down and chat about how we can bring these strategies into our own classrooms.Are you enjoying the podcast?Make sure to subscribe to our channel and leave us a review!  To leave a review in iTunes, click HERE by scrolling down our show page, selecting a star rating, and tapping “Write a review.” Let us know how this podcast is helping you in your ELA classroom!Interested in joining the EB Teachers' Club with thousands of other middle school ELA teachers from around the globe? Join the waitlist today, and you'll be the first to know when we open enrollment again! https://www.ebteacher.com/ebtc-waitlist

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 collaboration projects. We're sharing a range of solutions for you to consider. Plus, stay tuned for a preview of the next episode, where we will delve into "The Science of Reading" and its relevance to middle school ELA! You don't want to miss this!Are you enjoying the podcast?Make sure to subscribe to our channel and leave us a review!  To leave a review in iTunes, click HERE by scrolling down our show page, selecting a star rating, and tapping “Write a review.” Let us know how this podcast is helping you in your ELA classroom!Interested in joining the EB Teachers' Club with thousands of other middle school ELA teachers from around the globe? Join the waitlist today, and you'll be the first to know when we open enrollment again! https://www.ebteacher.com/ebtc-waitlist

Episode 266: Interview with Grace Stevens on Setting Healthy BoundariesOn 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-19. Now transitioning from her role as an educator, Grace has embraced her passion for fostering growth and well-being in mentors by becoming a teacher empowerment coach.Grace brings her unique perspective, shaped by her own battle with burnout, to share practical tips on how to establish and maintain boundaries that protect our mental, emotional, and physical well-being. We'll explore how our energy as teachers resonates in the classroom, the red flags that indicate our limits are being pushed, and the small yet mighty steps we can take toward sustaining our passion for teaching without compromising our health.Prepare for an empowering discussion that promises to leave you with actionable advice and a fresh perspective on striking that delicate balance between giving your best to your students and keeping your own batteries charged. It's such an important topic to bring to light; we can't wait for you to tune in!Are you enjoying the podcast?Make sure to subscribe to our channel and leave us a review!  To leave a review in iTunes, click HERE by scrolling down our show page, selecting a star rating, and tapping “Write a review.” Let us know how this podcast is helping you in your ELA classroom!Interested in joining the EB Teachers' Club with thousands of other middle school ELA teachers from around the globe? Join the waitlist today, and you'll be the first to know when we open enrollment again! https://www.ebteacher.com/ebtc-waitlist

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 practical steps to transform your prep-time and maximize grading efficiency.From tips on batch planning and boundary-setting to strategies for effective communication, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you reclaim your planning time for what it should be: grading, not planning.Get ready to walk away with fresh ideas on how to make the most of your prep-periods, streamline your grading process, and find joy in your teaching practices. Are you enjoying the podcast?Make sure to subscribe to our channel and leave us a review!  To leave a review in iTunes, click HERE by scrolling down our show page, selecting a star rating, and tapping “Write a review.” Let us know how this podcast is helping you in your ELA classroom!Interested in joining the EB Teachers' Club with thousands of other middle school ELA teachers from around the globe? Join the waitlist today, and you'll be the first to know when we open enrollment again! https://www.ebteacher.com/ebtc-waitlist

On this episode of the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast, Jessica is joined by EB Academics' Curriculum Writer, Pat, and together they dive into an innovative use of ChatGPT for your middle school classroom! Pat presents this engaging concept by explaining how you can use ChatGPT to generate task cards that are fantastic to use with your students who seem to always finish their assignments early! They showcase the ease with which you can tailor your task cards to different types of learners and how simple they can be to create with the help of AI. You'll learn how to create task cards that are flexible to meet the diverse needs of your students while fostering creativity and engagement in the classroom. With practical tips and insights, Jessica and Pat demonstrate how ChatGPT can enhance lesson planning and student learning experiences, making it a valuable tool for educators seeking to boost their efficiencies and support student growth.Get ready for an exceptionally helpful episode!Are you enjoying the podcast?Make sure to subscribe to our channel and leave us a review!  To leave a review in iTunes, click HERE by scrolling down our show page, selecting a star rating, and tapping “Write a review.” Let us know how this podcast is helping you in your ELA classroom!Interested in joining the EB Teachers' Club with thousands of other middle school ELA teachers from around the globe? Join the waitlist today, and you'll be the first to know when we open enrollment again! https://www.ebteacher.com/ebtc-waitlist

On this episode of the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast, Jessica, Pat introduce Jay, EB's resident differentiation expert for ELL and SPED students! Together they host a conversation focused on effective teaching methodologies tailored to accommodate diverse learning needs.They take a deep dive into strategies such as fostering trust and community among students, implementing collaborative group work, and employing ongoing assessment methods. Their conversation underscores the importance of personalized instruction for different levels of learning. They explore ways to involve students in their own learning journey through honest prompts, student choice, and individualized check-ins, all while emphasizing the significance of leveraging available resources and collaborative efforts to create inclusive and supportive learning environments.Get ready for an episode full of practical strategies that will benefit every level of learner in your classroom!Are you enjoying the podcast?Make sure to subscribe to our channel and leave us a review!  To leave a review in iTunes, click HERE by scrolling down our show page, selecting a star rating, and tapping “Write a review.” Let us know how this podcast is helping you in your ELA classroom!Interested in joining the EB Teachers' Club with thousands of other middle school ELA teachers from around the globe? Join the waitlist today, and you'll be the first to know when we open enrollment again! https://www.ebteacher.com/ebtc-waitlist

On this episode of the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast, join your hosts Caitlin, Jessica, and Megan as they delve into the diverse approaches of teacher development programs across the globe. Drawing from conversations from a recent article titled, What the World Can Teach Us by Harry K. Wong, Ted Britton, and Tom Ganser, they uncover intriguing insights into how different countries support and nurture their educators.They discuss how the approaches found in countries like China, New Zealand, Japan, and France, are used for continuous improvement of their teachers and should inspire similar initiatives in US schools.Throughout the episode, your hosts identify three key themes: structured and comprehensive induction programs, a focus on lifelong learning, and the importance of collaboration among educators. You'll be encouraged to consider how these international models could even be incorporated into teacher support systems in your schools.Tune in to gain fresh perspectives on teacher development and discover practical insights for enhancing professional growth in education.You may even feel motivated to share this episode with your administrator!Are you enjoying the podcast?Make sure to subscribe to our channel and leave us a review!  To leave a review in iTunes, click HERE by scrolling down our show page, selecting a star rating, and tapping “Write a review.” Let us know how this podcast is helping you in your ELA classroom!Interested in joining the EB Teachers' Club with thousands of other middle school ELA teachers from around the globe? Join the waitlist today, and you'll be the first to know when we open enrollment again! https://www.ebteacher.com/ebtc-waitlist

Get ready for an important episode of the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast! Listen in as your hosts, Caitlin, Jessica, and Megan tackle the topic of middle school ELA research units and exactly how you can make them engaging and memorable for your students.In this episode, we're sharing personal experiences and practical tips for creating research projects that your students will actually enjoy. From key components like crafting essential questions and finding reliable sources to organizing evidence and creating works cited pages, we've got you covered with fresh ideas.You'll also hear a unique and fun research unit idea that will have your students hooked from the start. Imagine inviting them to "Camp Explore" where they embark on a fictional camping adventure and must research and budget for essential camping supplies. It's hands-on, practical, and most importantly, engaging!We'll provide step-by-step instructions on how to set up this research unit, and we've even got tips on incorporating games and activities to wrap up the unit with a celebration of your students' hard work.Listen now and get inspired to take your research units to a whole new level!Are you enjoying the podcast?Make sure to subscribe to our channel and leave us a review!  To leave a review in iTunes, click HERE by scrolling down our show page, selecting a star rating, and tapping “Write a review.” Let us know how this podcast is helping you in your ELA classroom!Interested in joining the EB Teachers' Club with thousands of other middle school ELA teachers from around the globe? Join the waitlist today, and you'll be the first to know when we open enrollment again! https://www.ebteacher.com/ebtc-waitlist

On this episode of the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast, Megan sits down with acclaimed teacher coach and author of "Rooted in Joy," Dr. Deonna Smith! They're covering Dr. Smith's favorite secrets for cultivating a classroom experience that builds positivity and inclusivity while fostering strong relationships that encourage students to take ownership of their learning.Dr. Smith's focus presents us with the idea that the teacher's well-being sets the stage within their classroom and ultimately has a direct impact on student success! She's sharing techniques that will boost the energy in any required curriculum and create those memorable learning moments we know serve our students best!Join us for a conversation that promises not just to enlighten but to ignite a passion for teaching that challenges everything you "thought" was possible for you as a middle school ELA teacher!Get ready for an exceptionally impactful episode!Are you enjoying the podcast?Make sure to subscribe to our channel and leave us a review!  To leave a review in iTunes, click HERE by scrolling down our show page, selecting a star rating, and tapping “Write a review.” Let us know how this podcast is helping you in your ELA classroom!Interested in joining the EB Teachers' Club with thousands of other middle school ELA teachers from around the globe? Join the waitlist today, and you'll be the first to know when we open enrollment again! https://www.ebteacher.com/ebtc-waitlist

Ever felt like the challenge of meeting each student's unique learning needs with ELA lessons was a puzzle with too many pieces? On this episode of the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast, Caitlin, Jessica, and Megan discuss a straightforward method to differentiate your ELA instruction using the scaffolding of Bloom's Taxonomy.You'll walk away with a simple hack that integrates differentiation smoothly into your teaching practice, and a freebie that promises to make a significant impact on your educational approach.Be sure to listen in for an episode brimming with inspiration and actionable advice that not only promises to enrich your teacher toolkit but also sets the stage for a more inclusive, effective, and joyful learning environment.Get ready for an enlightening and impactful episode!Links mentioned:Bloom's Taxonomy Chart:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1u4-mpp6tNTq9GHHv5pGRyNbjN08gAEJ9/view?usp=drive_linkAre you enjoying the podcast?Make sure to subscribe to our channel and leave us a review!  To leave a review in iTunes, click HERE by scrolling down our show page, selecting a star rating, and tapping “Write a review.” Let us know how this podcast is helping you in your ELA classroom!Interested in joining the EB Teachers' Club with thousands of other middle school ELA teachers from around the globe? Join the waitlist today, and you'll be the first to know when we open enrollment again! https://www.ebteacher.com/ebtc-waitlist

On this episode of the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast, we are diving into the art of preparing middle school ELA students for state tests without losing engagement and purpose in our lessons. Megan joins Caitlin and Jessica for a conversation that explores strategies for striking that perfect balance between incorporating essential skills into our curriculum in ways that keep engagement high and stress low.They're serving up innovative strategies to help students master academic terms, ideas for successful Socratic seminars, and easy hacks for lesson differentiation that are as simple as they are effective!Tune in as they share their best advice for ensuring your everyday lessons are preparing students for those state tests without sacrificing rigor and fun!Free Test Prep Activity: https://drive.google.com/file/d/11UnDKcsssVdX4GnhqtDLS-FYbu4cTTa8/view?usp=share_linkAre you enjoying the podcast?Make sure to subscribe to our channel and leave us a review!  To leave a review in iTunes, click HERE by scrolling down our show page, selecting a star rating, and tapping “Write a review.” Let us know how this podcast is helping you in your ELA classroom!Interested in joining the EB Teachers' Club with thousands of other middle school ELA teachers from around the globe? Join the waitlist today, and you'll be the first to know when we open enrollment again! https://www.ebteacher.com/ebtc-waitlist

On this episode of the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast, our curriculum writer, Pat, joins us to discuss the seemingly impossible task of catering our lessons to every student's unique learning style. Consider this episode your peek behind the curtain into a classroom where differentiation doesn't mean chaos.After listening you'll have a full list of differentiation ideas that work with various learning preferences inside your classroom. You'll be able to save this list and reference it time and time again. The goal is for you to walk away with at least one new, inspiring strategy you can utilize now and a toolkit full of others to add in when you are confident and ready!Tune in as they spend time cultivating this master list of new engaging differentiation ideas that will be easy to implement and guaranteed to support students at all learning levels!Are you enjoying the podcast?Make sure to subscribe to our channel and leave us a review!  To leave a review in iTunes, click HERE by scrolling down our show page, selecting a star rating, and tapping “Write a review.” Let us know how this podcast is helping you in your ELA classroom!Interested in joining the EB Teachers' Club with thousands of other middle school ELA teachers from around the globe? Join the waitlist today, and you'll be the first to know when we open enrollment again! https://www.ebteacher.com/ebtc-waitlist

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 as we explore this topic and begin to ignite interest in challenging texts.Are you enjoying the podcast?Make sure to subscribe to our channel and leave us a review!  To leave a review in iTunes, click HERE by scrolling down our show page, selecting a star rating, and tapping “Write a review.” Let us know how this podcast is helping you in your ELA classroom!Interested in joining the EB Teachers' Club with thousands of other middle school ELA teachers from around the globe? Join the waitlist today, and you'll be the first to know when we open enrollment again! https://www.ebteacher.com/ebtc-waitlist

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, evaluating source credibility, and developing critical thinking skills, we'll equip you with the tools you need to help your students become critical thinkers and analyzers of information. Join us as we break down this concept and explore ideas to teach students these skills. Are you enjoying the podcast?Make sure to subscribe to our channel and leave us a review!  To leave a review in iTunes, click HERE by scrolling down our show page, selecting a star rating, and tapping “Write a review.” Let us know how this podcast is helping you in your ELA classroom!Interested in joining the EB Teachers' Club with thousands of other middle school ELA teachers from around the globe? Join the waitlist today, and you'll be the first to know when we open enrollment again! https://www.ebteacher.com/ebtc-waitlist

In today's episode of Teaching Middle School ELA, we welcome Dr. Rebecca Harper to the podcast and delve into the topic of assessment, especially when it comes to writing. We reflect on the importance of having checkpoints along the way, and we discuss the power of quick writes and how they can be used to improve writing instruction. Listeners will hear about various methods to engage students in reading and writing, and we address the challenges of grading writing, the importance of providing effective feedback, and the value of assessing smaller chunks throughout the teaching process. Join us as we unpack these topics and share practical strategies to enhance your ELA classroom.Are you enjoying the podcast?Make sure to subscribe to our channel and leave us a review!  To leave a review in iTunes, click HERE by scrolling down our show page, selecting a star rating, and tapping “Write a review.” Let us know how this podcast is helping you in your ELA classroom!Interested in joining the EB Teachers' Club with thousands of other middle school ELA teachers from around the globe? Join the waitlist today, and you'll be the first to know when we open enrollment again! https://www.ebteacher.com/ebtc-waitlist

In today’s episode of Teaching Middle School ELA, we have a special treat for you as we dive into the spookiness of Halloween. We understand that the days leading up to Halloween can be a challenge in the classroom, as students are filled with excitement and anticipation. Join us as we guide you through an engaging and standards-aligned lesson called the Haunted Forest Escape Room. This three-class period unit is designed to make your students feel like class is a little more special during this time of year. Best of all, the lessons center around literary analysis, focusing on plot, setting, and characterization. So get ready to embrace the excitement of the season and engage your students in a frightfully fun and educational activity!Are you enjoying the podcast?Tag us on Instagram @ebacademics and let us know which episode you're listening to!Make sure to subscribe to our channel and leave us a review!Your review helps us reach even more middle school ELA teachers just like you! It would mean so much to us. To leave a review in iTunes, click HERE by scrolling down our show page, selecting a star rating, and tapping “Write a review.” Let us know how this podcast is helping you in your ELA classroom!Interested in joining the EB Teachers' Club with thousands of other middle school ELA teachers from around the globe? Join the waitlist today, and you'll be the first to know when we open enrollment again! https://www.ebteacher.com/ebtc-waitlist