In this quick-bite episode, Savannah shares a powerful strategy she uses in her classroom to help students focus on growth rather than grades. She introduces a goal-setting assessment form that encourages students to take ownership of their learning, make actionable plans, and celebrate their progress. This episode is packed with actionable tips and motivational insights to transform your approach to assessments!

Thank you for tuning in! If you found this episode helpful, share it with a fellow teacher and let’s keep celebrating growth! See you next week! 🌟

Episode Highlights:Form Questions:Resources Mentioned:Key Takeaway:Stay Connected:

In this episode, Savannah dives into an effective, transformative strategy for teaching standards in middle school ELA: using a common mentor text. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the pressure to cover every text in your curriculum or struggled to connect standards to your teaching, this episode is for you!

Savannah shares her personal experience with the novel Ghost by Jason Reynolds and how it has become a cornerstone of her classroom strategy. Learn how using a common text simplifies teaching, supports student understanding, and allows you to focus on deeper learning of standards like plot, theme, and annotation strategies.

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Grading can be one of the most time-consuming and overwhelming parts of teaching ELA, but it doesn’t have to be!

In this episode, I’m sharing a game-changing strategy that transformed how I approach grading. From ditching full notebook checks to using targeted tools like fill-in-the-blank notes and quizzes, you’ll learn how to save time, reduce stress, and focus on what matters most—your students’ learning.

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Quizizz

Are the mounds of missing work driving you crazy? 

Here are some tips and strategies you can use to help manage it and encourage students to turn some stuff in!

Want more classroom management ideas? ⁠Check out Managing Middles! ⁠

While you're there, make sure to download the Expectations Work Kit!

Here are some simple ways you can help increase student motivation and focus!

Want more classroom management ideas? ⁠Check out Managing Middles! ⁠

While you're there, make sure to download the Expectations Work Kit!

Frustration #3- Students Talking While You're Teaching

Do students try to talk while you’re teaching? Like they’re too cool to hear what you have to say. 

Here are some things I do in my classroom to curb those impulses. 

Here are some tips and strategies you can use to help manage these!

Want more classroom management ideas? ⁠Check out Managing Middles! ⁠

While you're there, make sure to download the Expectations Work Kit!

Are you tired of the CONSTANT student interruptions while you're teaching?

Here are some tips and strategies you can use to help manage these!

Want more classroom management ideas? ⁠Check out Managing Middles! ⁠

While you're there, make sure to download the Expectations Work Kit!

Are you frustrated with your middle schoolers breaking the rules you have set up in your classroom?

Hopefully these tips and tricks I have picked up along the way will help ease your frustrations.

Want more strategies? ⁠Check out Managing Middles! ⁠

While there, download the Expectation Work Kit!