Teaching Middle School ELA

If you struggle with anxiety, know that you're not alone. Many of us are dealing with it on a daily basis, including me, so when I heard this statement it really resonated with me. Anxiety is such a difficult place to be in when it feels like the sky is falling. If we allow our mind to go with the “what ifs,” we will continue to fall down the dark hole that is anxiety. However, if we choose to not stay in that state of being, we can focus on what is actually real. Give it a try and see if it works out for you. 

Here’s to another week of living intentionally. 

Caitlin

The idea of a Genius Hour originated in some of today’s most innovative and groundbreaking companies, and it’s also a great activity to use in your classroom. As the school year comes to a close, and you and your students need fresh and interesting activities, we think implementing a Genius Hour in your classroom will be just the thing to motivate your students! By allowing learners to invest time in their own interests, we can encourage creativity and innovation. Listen to this week’s podcast episode to learn how to implement this unique project in your middle school classroom.

Are you enjoying the podcast?

Tag us @ebacademics and let us know which episode you're listening to!

Make sure to Subscribe and leave us a Review!

Your review helps us reach even more middle school ELA teachers just like you! It would mean so much to us. To leave a review in iTunes, click HERE and scroll down to Rating and Reviews. Click on "Write a Review" and let us know how this podcast is helping you in your ELA classroom!

Other episodes you might enjoy:

• Constructive Criticism: How to Change Your Mindset and Be Open to Feedback
• Mini Literary Analysis Writing PD: H

Middle school is a tough time. There are so many things going on in the world and new challenges that our students are facing. High school is approaching, and oftentimes there are many big decisions that come with that. That may bring on anxiety or a nervous feeling. I think it’s important to discuss these things and realize that those feelings can be a “normal nervous” that everyone is dealing with. It helps to know that we are all in this together. 

Here’s to another week of living intentionally. 

Caitlin

Have you ever struggled to keep your students motivated to learn at the end of the school year? Maybe you’ve been searching for ways to help your students master the standards but with an activity that appeals to them. In today’s episode, Caitlin and Jessica discuss a special research project called The Year I Was Born. Not only will your students be interested in the research, but the final project is a fun keepsake that they can enjoy for years to come.

Are you enjoying the podcast?

Tag us @ebacademics and let us know which episode you're listening to!

Make sure to Subscribe and leave us a Review!

Your review helps us reach even more middle school ELA teachers just like you! It would mean so much to us. To leave a review in iTunes, click HERE and scroll down to Rating and Reviews. Click on "Write a Review" and let us know how this podcast is helping you in your ELA classroom!

Other episodes you might enjoy:

• Constructive Criticism: How to Change Your Mindset and Be Open to Feedback
• Mini Literary Analysis Writing PD: H

This is so applicable to every aspect of our lives. Think of something that is hard for you. Maybe it's putting your child back to bed at 2 in the morning, or maybe you’re working on pushing yourself in the gym. These things may be extremely difficult now, but in a few months they will become easy. Doing the hard work is creating habits which will in turn create an easier life for us in the future. 

Here’s to another week of living intentionally. 

Caitlin

Writing essays may not sound like the most exciting activity to your middle school students, but Caitlin and Jessica have a unique idea to freshen up that typical essay in your classroom! Today on the podcast, listeners will hear all about how to implement a visual essay. This is a creative assignment that will help your students practice and master the writing standards. They’re still writing an essay, but in a brand new way! As always, you’ll hear practical tips and tricks for implementing this unique activity in your own classroom.

Are you enjoying the podcast?

Tag us @ebacademics and let us know which episode you're listening to!

Make sure to Subscribe and leave us a Review!

Your review helps us reach even more middle school ELA teachers just like you! It would mean so much to us. To leave a review in iTunes, click HERE and scroll down to Rating and Reviews. Click on "Write a Review" and let us know how this podcast is helping you in your ELA classroom!

Other episodes you might enjoy:

• Constructive Criticism: How to Change Your Mindset and Be Open to Feedback
• Mini Literary Analysis Writing PD: H

Oftentimes things don’t go our way, and we feel like things aren’t working out for us. Instead of feeling like a failure, try switching your mindset. Sit in the knowing that something better is coming. What if that “no” you received was actually protecting you and opening you up to the possibility of something greater? So, consider where you are experiencing this type of protection in your life and realize that something better is on the way.  

Here’s to another week of living intentionally. 

Caitlin

In this final episode in our four-part series about poetry, Caitlin and Jessica discuss Two Voice Poetry. This activity will help your students practice several ELA standards, and as always, you’ll hear practical steps for setting this lesson up in your own classroom in the episode. We think you’ll definitely want to try this special activity with your students!

Are you enjoying the podcast?

Tag us @ebacademics and let us know which episode you're listening to!

Make sure to Subscribe and leave us a Review!

Your review helps us reach even more middle school ELA teachers just like you! It would mean so much to us. To leave a review in iTunes, click HERE and scroll down to Rating and Reviews. Click on "Write a Review" and let us know how this podcast is helping you in your ELA classroom!

Other episodes you might enjoy:

• Constructive Criticism: How to Change Your Mindset and Be Open to Feedback
• Mini Literary Analysis Writing PD: H

Our thoughts are harmless unless we believe them to be true. If we can look at thoughts as neither being negative or positive, we can decide if we want to entertain them.  Once we believe our thoughts, they will dictate our response and the reality we create for ourselves in our lives. So, try to notice your thoughts and get to know them. Ask yourself if they are serving you. If not, move on and offer your brain something else. Food for thought. 

Here’s to another week of living intentionally. 

Caitlin

One of the best ways to help improve your students’ writing is to provide them with solid mentor texts. When students examine a well-written sample essay, it gives them something to strive for in their own writing. Sounds great, except many teachers don’t have the extra time to write sample essays for each of their writing units. In today’s podcast, Caitlin and Jessica solve that problem and share how you can use AI to help you draft sample essays that will support your students without taking up all your time and energy.

Are you enjoying the podcast?

Tag us @ebacademics and let us know which episode you're listening to!

Make sure to Subscribe and leave us a Review!

Your review helps us reach even more middle school ELA teachers just like you! It would mean so much to us. To leave a review in iTunes, click HERE and scroll down to Rating and Reviews. Click on "Write a Review" and let us know how this podcast is helping you in your ELA classroom!

Other episodes you might enjoy:

• Constructive Criticism: How to Change Your Mindset and Be Open to Feedback
• Mini Literary Analysis Writing PD: H