We share a station-based routine that keeps rigor high, lowers stress, and makes ELA test prep engaging with short passages about sweets from around the world. Students rotate, gather evidence, and solve an acrostic puzzle using a traveling candy journal while we model test-aligned questions. • why drill-and-kill test prep hurts engagement • what students actually need for test readiness • how Sweet Stations are set up and rotated • using short informational texts with test-style stems • building a candy journal for answers and keywords • solving an acrostic puzzle to drive accuracy • leveraging ChatGPT to draft passages and questions • keeping pressure low while preserving rigor • options to recreate or grab the done-for-you pack • preview of next week’s skill-focused episode Grab Sweet Stations at 40% off during testing season via this link: https://www.ebteacher.com/test-prep If you try this with your students, tell us inside the EB Teacher community or message us on Instagram @EBAcademics

We share a station-based routine that keeps rigor high, lowers stress, and makes ELA test prep engaging with short passages about sweets from around the world. Students rotate, gather evidence, and solve an acrostic puzzle using a traveling candy journal while we model test-aligned questions. • why drill-and-kill test prep hurts engagement • what students actually need for test readiness • how Sweet Stations are set up and rotated • using short informational texts with test-style stems • building a candy journal for answers and keywords • solving an acrostic puzzle to drive accuracy • leveraging ChatGPT to draft passages and questions • keeping pressure low while preserving rigor • options to recreate or grab the done-for-you pack • preview of next week’s skill-focused episode Grab Sweet Stations at 40% off during testing season via this link: https://www.ebteacher.com/test-prep If you try this with your students, tell us inside the EB Teacher community or message us on Instagram @EBAcademics

We share a station-based routine that keeps rigor high, lowers stress, and makes ELA test prep engaging with short passages about sweets from around the world. Students rotate, gather evidence, and solve an acrostic puzzle using a traveling candy journal while we model test-aligned questions. • why drill-and-kill test prep hurts engagement • what students actually need for test readiness • how Sweet Stations are set up and rotated • using short informational texts with test-style stems • building a candy journal for answers and keywords • solving an acrostic puzzle to drive accuracy • leveraging ChatGPT to draft passages and questions • keeping pressure low while preserving rigor • options to recreate or grab the done-for-you pack • preview of next week’s skill-focused episode Grab Sweet Stations at 40% off during testing season via this link: https://www.ebteacher.com/test-prep If you try this with your students, tell us inside the EB Teacher community or message us on Instagram @EBAcademics

Episode 385: A Test Prep Strategy Students Actually Enjoy (And You’ll Reuse Every Year)

Welcome to the Teaching Middle School ELA Podcast, where we help English Language Arts teachers create dynamic, engaging lessons while balancing the everyday responsibilities of teaching middle school. I’m Caitlin Mitchell, a longtime ELA educator and curriculum creator, and I know firsthand how challenging it can be to manage grading, planning, and student needs—while still trying to have a life outside the classroom. That’s why every Tuesday and Thursday, I bring you practical strategies, curriculum inspiration, and innovative teaching ideas to help you feel confident, prepared, and energized. Whether you're looking to revamp your writing instruction, streamline your planning process, or engage even the most reluctant readers and writers, you’ll find actionable support here. You'll also hear real classroom stories, fresh lesson ideas, and occasional interviews with other passionate educators. If you teach reading and writing to middle schoolers and want to stay inspired and up-to-date with best practices in ELA education, you’re in the right place. Tune in every week and let’s transform your teaching—together.

Education

Welcome to the Teaching Middle School ELA Podcast, where we help English Language Arts teachers create dynamic, engaging lessons while balancing the everyday responsibilities of teaching middle school. I’m Caitlin Mitchell, a longtime ELA educator and curriculum creator, and I know firsthand how challenging it can be to manage grading, planning, and student needs—while still trying to have a life outside the classroom. That’s why every Tuesday and Thursday, I bring you practical strategies, curriculum inspiration, and innovative teaching ideas to help you feel confident, prepared, and energized. Whether you're looking to revamp your writing instruction, streamline your planning process, or engage even the most reluctant readers and writers, you’ll find actionable support here. You'll also hear real classroom stories, fresh lesson ideas, and occasional interviews with other passionate educators. If you teach reading and writing to middle schoolers and want to stay inspired and up-to-date with best practices in ELA education, you’re in the right place. Tune in every week and let’s transform your teaching—together.

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Episode 385: A Test Prep Strategy Students Actually Enjoy (And You’ll Reuse Every Year)

Episode 385: A Test Prep Strategy Students Actually Enjoy (And You’ll Reuse Every Year)

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