Teaching Middle School ELA

How to Turn a Mystery into a Full-Class Mock Trial

Want to teach argument writing in a way your students will actually love? In this episode, I'm walking you through how to pair a murder mystery narrative with a full mock trial experience—no extra planning required.

You'll learn:

• How to launch The Bountiful Case mystery in your classroom
• How to guide students through claim, premise, evidence, and justification using our Case Report
• How to set up and run a full mock trial (including tips for large classes!)
• Ways to keep it simple—or totally zhuzh it up

This lesson is one of my favorite ways to build writing, speaking, and critical thinking skills—and you can get the full resource bundle completely free.

🎁 Download the Mystery + Mock Trial Kit here:
ebteacher.com/mysterytrial

💡 Want even more ideas like this? Join me for my free Summer Engagement Workshop, where I’ll show you how to bring this kind of energy and purpose to every part of your school year.
Register here: ebteacher.com/workshop

In today’s episode of the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast, Caitlin shares simple, effective end-of-year routines to help you wrap up the school year with clarity and calm. If May feels like a whirlwind, this is your guide to finishing strong—without the stress. Let’s make the last few weeks feel a little more doable and a lot more intentional. 

Caitlin's Journaling Spotify Playlist:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6NTHZhBj1LwIvfRF5gAFd8?si=368bcb58b9084045

📋 Closing Time Checklist
Use this checklist to simplify your end-of-year systems and finish strong—without losing your mind:

🧼 CLASSROOM WRAP-UP

• ☐ Pick one zone to clean each day (desk, supply area, library, etc.)
• ☐ Recruit your "Classroom Closing Crew" to help with specific jobs
• ☐ Label, store, and pack materials with next year in mind

📝 GRADES + ASSESSMENTS

• ☐ Set your final due dates and communicate them clearly
• ☐ Only grade assignments that reflect meaningful learning
• ☐ Use student self-assessment and simple rubrics to save time
• ☐ Batch-grade using 25-minute time blocks (Pomodoro method)
• ☐ Write 2–3 quick reflection notes about each student’s growth

🧠 YOUR SANITY

• ☐ Schedule a “Final Friday” solo work block to close out loose ends
• ☐ Make a “Start of Next Year” checklist and save it in your planner
• ☐ Give yourself permission to pause—don’t plan next year just yet

✅ Pro Tip: Print this checklist, highlight what works for you, and tuck it somewhere visible for the final two weeks of school. Small steps = a smoother finish.

To stay connected with us about promotions, freebies, events, and professional development opportunities, Please join our EB Teacher's ELA Portal Priority List: ebteacher.com/portal

The final weeks of school don't have to be a countdown to summer filled with movies and worksheets. This pivotal time offers a golden opportunity to help your students reflect on their journey and recognize just how far they've come in your classroom.

Ready to finish your year strong? Listen now to discover how intentional reflection can create the perfect bookend to your students' ELA journey.

Caitlin's Journaling Spotify Playlist: 

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6NTHZhBj1LwIvfRF5gAFd8?si=368bcb58b9084045

📗 6-Word Memoirs Examples:

• “Wrote an essay. Survived. Barely.”
• “I found my voice in writing.”
• “Books changed my brain this year.”
• “Started shy, ended loud and proud.”
• “I read. I wrote. I grew.”
• “Grammar still haunts my dreams. Help.”
• “I never liked reading… until now.”

📝 Example Prompts to Use in Hexagons:

• “A time I felt proud of my work…”
• “Something I learned about myself as a reader…”
• “One writing skill I improved this year…”
• “A story or book that stuck with me…”
• “A challenge I faced and overcame…”
• “What I’ll remember most about ELA…”
• “I used to think ___, but now I know ___.”
• “This year in one word: ____”

To stay connected with us about promotions, freebies, events, and professional development opportunities, Please join our EB Teacher's ELA Portal Priority List: ebteacher.com/portal

Imagine this: It’s Friday afternoon, the classroom is finally quiet, and you’re standing at a crossroads—do you take a little extra time to prep for next week, or do you head out and deal with it later? If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. In today’s episode of the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast, we’re diving into something that might just transform your teaching life: How Prepping on Fridays Can Change Your Life.

It might sound like a small shift, but choosing to spend just 30 to 45 minutes each Friday setting yourself up for the week ahead can create a ripple effect that touches every part of your life. Less weekend stress. More clarity on Monday. A stronger connection to your goals—and yes, more time to actually enjoy your weekend.

This episode is your invitation to stop dreading Sunday nights and start reclaiming your peace. We’ll talk about the mindset, the strategy, and the practical steps to make Friday prep a habit you actually look forward to. You deserve to step into each week calm, confident, and ready. Let’s make it happen—starting today.

To stay connected with us about promotions, freebies, events, and professional development opportunities, Please join our EB Teacher's ELA Portal Priority List: ebteacher.com/portal

In this episode, you’ll discover simple yet powerful strategies to spark curiosity and connection in your classroom—all while keeping things manageable for you. Let’s flip the script on end-of-year burnout and finish strong with purpose, clarity, and heart. You’ve poured so much into your students all year—now let’s wrap it up in a way that honors that work. You’re almost there, and you’re doing amazing.

Links mentioned in the episode:
Jenna Copper Blog Post on Discussion Panels: https://jennacopper.com/panel-discussions-make-your-students-the-experts-in-five-simple-steps/

Discussion questions mentioned in episode:

• Here are some ideas for this or that to spark discussion—make sure you choose ones that are appropriate for your class, so please use your discernment.
• It’s better to take a risk and fail vs. It’s better to play it safe and succeed
• People can change who they are vs. People stay the same deep down
• It’s more important to be honest vs. It’s more important to be kind
• The past shapes who we are vs. We decide who we become
• Leaders should always listen to others vs. Leaders should trust their own judgment most
• Everyone deserves a second chance vs. Some actions can’t be forgiven
• Rules are meant to be followed vs. Rules are meant to be questioned
• Success is based on hard work vs. Success is based on opportunity
• One person can make a big difference vs. Real change takes a group
• It’s more important to win vs. It’s more important to grow

Reflection Letter Prompts:

• “What’s one belief I’ve changed this year?”
• “If I were to go back in time and give myself advice at the beginning of 8th grade, here’s what I’d say…”
• “What advice would I give to next year’s students?”
• "What was my favorite classroom moment?"
• "What is one thing that was extremely hard for me to do this year, but I did it anyhow."

To stay connected with us about promotions, freebies, events, and professional development opportunities, Please join our EB Teacher's ELA Portal Priority List: ebteacher.com/portal

If May has you running on empty and juggling all the things, this episode is for you. We're diving into a powerful mindset shift that will help you take back your time—starting with your lesson plans. Imagine sitting down for one afternoon and walking away with your entire month of ELA mapped out. It’s not just possible—it’s totally doable with a clear, intentional approach.

We’ll unpack why daily or weekly planning might be quietly burning you out and how shifting your strategy can lead to more focused instruction, greater confidence, and the space you need to finish the year strong. Whether you're wrapping up the school year or just looking for a smarter way to approach your time, this episode will inspire you to plan with purpose—and remind you that reclaiming your energy starts with a single afternoon of intention. Let’s do this together. You’ve got this!

Please join our Priority List for The EB Teachers' ELA Portal https://www.ebteacher.com/portal to stay connected with us about promotions, freebies, events, and professional development opportunities.


Links mentioned in this episode:
YouTube Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=np_PNmxoXxs
Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6NTHZhBj1LwIvfRF5gAFd8?si=gikttbbVTl6OIJ8rtp7mZg&pi=hCD0H4UZTveL_

After four months away, the podcast is back—and so am I. In this solo episode, I’m sharing the story behind the pause, what I’ve walked through personally and professionally, and the deep lessons I’ve learned on the other side. This season is about truth, healing, and coming home to what matters most.

To stay connected with us about promotions, freebies, events, and professional development opportunities, Please join our EB Teacher's ELA Portal Priority List: ebteacher.com/portal

As the New Year dawns, we're embracing a transformative journey at EB Academics. After over 300 episodes of enriching the lives of ELA teachers, we're hitting pause on the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast to focus on something monumental. Our curriculum is under review by Ed Reports, and we're laser-focused on ensuring it meets and exceeds expectations, transforming it into an even more powerful resource for you. This hiatus isn't an end but a chance to enhance and elevate what we offer, aligning with our mission to empower educators inside and outside the classroom.

Join me, Caitlin, as I share this pivotal moment in our journey. While we'll miss our weekly rendezvous, we're channeling all our energy into this exciting phase. It's a time for both growth and introspection, and I invite you to set your own intentions for 2025. Embrace the possibilities, welcome change, and trust in the process. Until we're back in your earbuds, here's to a New Year filled with ease, joy, and transformation. Your positive thoughts and good vibes are welcome as we embark on this critical chapter. See you soon, and happy 2025!

Let’s take a moment to revisit one of our favorite Monday Mindset episodes!

Your energy has the power to transform every interaction—are you elevating those around you? 

Learn practical strategies to protect and project positivity, reflect on your energy levels, and align your actions with your best self. Surround yourself with uplifting individuals and discover the profound impact of intentional energy on your journey to fulfillment.

Here’s to another day of living intentionally.

Caitlin

Let's listen once again to one of our Podcast Favorites. This episode empowers middle school ELA teachers to plan an entire month or semester of lessons in advance, transforming the weekly grind into a streamlined, stress-free process. Learn to map out units, align with standards, and categorize lessons into 'into,' 'through,' and 'beyond' for maximum impact. Say goodbye to late-night planning and hello to high-quality lessons and personal time!