Teaching Middle School ELA

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 someone simply trying to grow, this episode will meet you exactly where you are. Reflection for th...

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 overwhelmed, this new approach will change everything about the way your students write (and how you teach it)...

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 pushing toward perfection, this episode will help you identify the boundaries you need before you h...

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 unfinished — whether it’s in your classroom, your career, or your personal life — this episode is yo...

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. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 👉YouTube Video on How to Grade an Essay Quickly: https://www.youtube.com/wat...

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’ writing If you’re ready to feel calm, confident, and joyful teaching writing again...

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 like simply showing up — doing the small, hard things no one else notices. This episode is a power...

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’ll be answering questions, placing their “bets,” and holding their breath to see which basket holds t...

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 Waveshttps://www.forbes.com/sites/traversmark/2025/03/10/a-psychologist-shares-the-90-second-rule-to-surv...

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, and trying to knock each other out as they review key skills. In this episode, you’ll learn exact...

Welcome back to our Games Series! Today’s episode is all about Digging for Treasure — a review game that brings all the excitement of Battleship straight into your ELA classroom. With every correct answer, students get to “dig” for hidden treasures on their grids, turning grammar, vocabulary, and figurative language practice into a fast-paced, strategy-packed adventure. This game is fun, competitive in the best way, and completely customizable to any ELA topic. Plus, if you’re an EB Teacher, ...

In this episode, we’re tackling something every teacher faces — comparison. Whether it’s classroom decor, lesson ideas, or student success stories, it’s so easy to look at others and feel like we’re falling short. But here’s the truth: your classroom doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s. Your journey doesn’t have to match another teacher’s path. Join me as we unpack how comparison quietly steals our joy, how to shift from comparison to celebration, and how embracing your own teaching style...

Feeling overwhelmed by everything on your plate—lesson planning, grading, or just making it through the week? You’re not alone. In this Tuesday episode, Caitlin shares a powerful mindset shift that can completely change how you approach both teaching and life: the power of micro-wins. Instead of staring at the mountain in front of you and feeling stuck, learn how to take small, meaningful steps that build momentum, confidence, and joy in your work. You’ll discover how tiny victories—whether i...

Today on the Teaching Middle School ELA Podcast, we’re bringing you one of our favorite high-energy classroom activities: The Bluff Game – Language Arts Edition! 🙌 This fast-paced game is perfect for practicing vocabulary, grammar, reading skills, and more—all while keeping your students on their feet (literally!) and fully engaged. Whether they truly know the answer or are just bluffing, your kids will be laughing, learning, and begging to play again. Tune in to learn exactly how to set it u...