Teaching Middle School ELA

In today's Monday Mindset, I'm exploring a life mantra that can instantly break down the walls of a "stuck" mindset! Marie Forleo's infectious philosophy that 'everything is figureoutable' breathes new life into the way we tackle problems. I pay tribute to that mindset in this episode, reflecting on the belief that every challenge has a solution waiting to be uncovered.

I want you to take a moment to consider that every obstacle can actually be an opportunity to grow in more ways than one! You'll notice the positive impact of altering our deep-seated beliefs to see that everything—from scheduling snafus to larger life hurdles—is, indeed, figureoutable. Listen in and learn how to weave this mindset into the fabric of your daily life, guaranteeing that no matter what comes your way, you'll have the tools and the tenacity to figure it out.

Here's to another day of intentional living!

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!

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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!

Have you heard the old Julie Andrews quote, "When life shuts one door, another window opens." ? In today's Monday Mindset, I reflect on how those closed doors in our lives often nudge us toward paths we're meant to walk. By shifting our perspective of rejection to one of needed redirection, we can receive those circumstances in a whole new way! We'll explore the philosophy of embracing the open doors and recognizing the closed ones as gifts in disguise. Tune in and consider how this perspective can inspire confidence in the face of life's unexpected circumstances and ultimately lead us exactly where we are meant to be!

Here's to another day of intentional living!

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!

Are you ready to take a moment to consider whether or not you're living in the past, present, or future? In today's Monday Mindset, I reflect on the importance of self-reflecting on exactly where you are operating from.

So often we choose to allow frustration or regrets from our past or the fear of the future to completely destroy our mindset and the choices we make today. I invite you to consider taking your thoughts captive and reflect on whether or not they're helpful or actually having a negative impact on your life. It's very likely that those thoughts and emotions that do not serve you are stemming from something in your past or a fear of the unknown.

It can be a challenging cycle to break, but it is definitely one that is worth your focus and effort. I'm excited for you to take a quick moment to listen in today!

Here's to another day of intentional living!

On this episode of the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast we're diving into the topic of making informational texts your students' new favorite genre!

Navigating through the complexities of analyzing informational texts can often be a daunting task for our middle school students. In today's episode, we discuss the simple yet powerful trick we used time and time again to actually empower our students when tackling a new informational text.

This innovative tool was crafted to guide students through the intricate process of summarizing, analyzing, and reflecting on their reading. Tune in as we break down each component of analyzing informational text by using the visual of an inverted triangle. We start with the expansive top section where students craft a tag and summary of the text, then transition to the middle section, where students condense their summary using the SWBST method, and finally, we arrive at the pinnacle of the triangle, where students distill their analysis into a succinct main idea!

You'll also grab great classroom discussion starters and thought-provoking questions to encourage students' critical thinking through each stage of the process! (So be sure to grab a pen and paper to take quick notes!)

Whether you've taught informational texts for 1 year or 30 years, this episode will leave you with fresh tools and strategies to invigorate your classroom instruction!

Tune in for an episode full of actionable takeaways!

Link mentioned: https://www.ebteacher.com/infotext

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!

Get ready for a deep dive into self-reflection on today's Monday Mindset! In this episode, I present the question, "What defines a luxury in your life?". This conversation should challenge the status quo of what the world considers a "luxury" and really push you to consider what you personally value.

Ramit Sethi, the author of "I Will Teach You to Be Rich," offered a fresh perspective on crafting a rich life beyond financial success. I'll take a moment to reflect on his point of view which places a focus on a balance between saving diligently for the future and savoring the present's priceless moments. I explore how a weekend bike ride or a cherished family tradition can be as fulfilling as any material possession and encourage you to intentionally integrate what you define as "luxury" into your everyday life. I hope this episode can be your inspiration to shape a life brimming with personalized luxuries that set you apart from what your feed may want you to think is luxury.

Here's to another day of intentional living!

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!

In today's Monday Mindset, I am delving into the empowering concept of abundance and timing.

I challenge the belief that missing out on certain opportunities means failure. Instead, it often signifies that we're not yet fully prepared for what we desire. Just because something didn't happen now doesn't mean it won't happen in the future or that it was what was best for us in this moment.

By adopting a mindset of abundance and understanding that everything unfolds in its own perfect time, we free ourselves from the constraints of self-doubt and limitation. Our boats are always on their way—it's just a matter of being ready to receive them.

Join me in embracing the journey and trusting in the process!

Here's to another week of intentional living!

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_link

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!