I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text! What if every challenge you faced was actually a hidden opportunity for growth? In this Monday Mindset episode, I uncover how adopting a transformative mindset can turn any experience—whether uplifting or daunting—into a valuable lesson. By shifting your perspective and asking, "What is this trying to teach me?" you can build resilience, take control of your reactions, and master your journey. I also highlight the power of staying open-minded and ready ...
Aug 19, 2024•12 min
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text! On this episode of The Teaching Middle School ELA Podcast, your hosts Caitlin, Jessica, and Megan are outlining a lengthy list of creative activities that go beyond the usual icebreaker first day of school activities. They explore innovative ways to set a positive and interactive class culture from day one, helping you quickly learn about your students' unique interests and personalities. Tune in to dive into five clever activities to help students conn...
Aug 13, 2024•28 min•Ep. 297
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text! What if you could transform your life simply by choosing love over fear or anger? In this Monday Mindset episode, let's explore the power of a love-focused perspective. Embracing love as your guiding principle can reduce stress, enhance relationships, and bring more joy to your daily life. I’ll share personal stories showing how small acts of love and kindness can create a ripple effect, impacting those around you. Challenge yourself to let love guide y...
Aug 12, 2024•17 min
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text! On this episode of The Teaching Middle School ELA Podcast, join host Megan Wyant and special guest, EB Team Member, Sarah Lang for an exciting jump start to our Back-to-School Mini-Series. They're unveiling a unique, collaborative puzzle challenge perfect for fostering communication, teamwork, and excitement among students on those first days back in your middle school ELA classroom. It's a fresh take on breaking the ice with your more reserved students...
Aug 06, 2024•27 min
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text! Have you ever wondered how adopting a solution-focused mindset could change your teaching experience? Imagine tackling daily challenges with the belief that "everything is figureoutable." This simple yet powerful philosophy has the potential to empower you in ways you may not have considered before. In this Monday Mindset , I share my personal journey with problem-solving and the importance of shifting from a victim mentality to a proactive, solution-or...
Aug 05, 2024•17 min
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text! On this episode of the Teaching Middle School ELA Podcast Megan breaks down an EB Teacher favorite that will have your students strategizing, debating, and writing with justification on a deserted island! (Don't worry, there's no plane crash involved!) Megan shares all the details of this engaging back-to-school activity in this episode, so that you can easily recreate this experience with your students! It's perfect for those first few days back in the...
Jul 30, 2024•14 min
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text! In today's Monday Mindset episode, I'm exploring how a positive attitude can transform setbacks into comebacks. Considering Winston Churchill's wisdom on attitude, I'll share a personal story about teaching my son resilience through a football loss, and draw inspiration from Steph Curry's optimism. You'll learn how a positive outlook can enrich relationships, attract uplifting connections, and foster greater happiness and success. I'll also discuss the ...
Jul 29, 2024•11 min
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text! On this episode of The Teaching Middle School ELA Podcast, Caitlin is revealing four terms that you can begin incorporating inside your ELA classroom that will directly impact your students' test scores. Yes - this is a HUGE promise to make, and she's not shying away from keeping it. Caitlin will break down this promise with confidence because she isn't only speaking from her personal experience. As a team, we hear from ELA teachers every single year wh...
Jul 23, 2024•21 min•Ep. 294
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text! In today's Monday Mindset episode, I discuss how important it is to conquer self-doubt and embrace a mindset where anything is possible. Inspired by the book "10X is Easier Than 2X," I explore the power of setting bold, audacious goals and reflect on how fear or external discouragement can stifle our ambitions. I'll consider personal experiences and even share a few stories that demonstrate how, with the right mindset, the sky’s the limit. Tune in to le...
Jul 22, 2024•12 min
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text! On this episode of the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast, Caitlin focuses on best practices to actually "fit it all in" when planning your ELA lessons this year. She prefaces this episode with a message about the variations in class time length we often see across middle schools. Some ELA teachers have 40-minute class periods to work around while others might find themselves with 90-minute blocks to fill. No matter what situation you find yourself in, ...
Jul 16, 2024•27 min•Ep. 293
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text! In today's Monday Mindset episode, I'm asking you to consider if the key to unlocking your full potential lies just outside your comfort zone. You know...that place that feels risky and uncomfortable. Perhaps embracing risk—both personally and professionally - could be the catalyst for growth and new opportunities that you've been missing! I'll share my own experiences and encourage you to be curious about where you might be holding yourself back from s...
Jul 15, 2024•16 min
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text! On this episode of the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast, Caitlin, Jessica, and Megan have a candid conversation about the shortcomings they noticed collectively between their individual experiences earning their degrees or certifications in education. Their revelations unveil a large gap in learning happening for teachers prior to stepping into their classrooms. You'll hear that the single most impactful lesson they wish they had mastered before stepp...
Jul 09, 2024•20 min
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text! In this Monday Mindset, we're diving into the power of just getting started. This concept might seem simple, but so many of us refrain from taking our first steps out of fear of not being perfect. I want to challenge you to consider the idea that DOING something imperfectly is better and more helpful than NOT doing anything at all. Let's explore the power of embracing imperfection and making progress forward, even in small ways. Here's to another week o...
Jul 08, 2024•12 min
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text! Throughout this summer podcast series, we've taken a deep dive into the EB Batch Planning Framework as well as the 3 types of lessons every single ELA unit should include being both rigorous and engaging. If you need a quick refresher, be sure to pop back a few episodes to catch up! In this episode, we break down the third and final type of lesson we call "BEYOND" lessons. It's within these lessons that students get authentic opportunities to apply thei...
Jul 02, 2024•16 min•Ep. 291
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text! In today's Monday Mindset episode, I'm exploring the true secret to success. It may not be the secret you'd initially think! I want to show you the power behind sticking to your plan, no matter what! Tune in to hear how insights from Leila Hormozi have impacted my perspective on the benefits of consistency and discipline. By sticking to your plan, regardless of your emotional state, you will build resilience, stay organized, and make actual progress tow...
Jul 01, 2024•15 min
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text! On this episode of the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast, we're taking a deep dive into the core of our ELA lessons which we call "Through Lessons"! These lessons are the "meat and potatoes" of our lesson planning recipe meaning they are made up of rigorous activities that allow students multiple opportunities to practice their skills in an engaging way! You'll learn the components of a "Through" lesson and our tips for creating your own to cover multi...
Jun 25, 2024•19 min•Ep. 290
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text! In this Monday Mindset, I want to discuss powerful strategies to infuse more joy, peace, and intentionality into your life. I'll guide you in identifying activities that fuel your inner soul. You know, like those activities that make you lose track of time! Let's consider the impact integrating more activities like these into your routine, and celebrating every little victory, can have on your life! You'll learn to quiet external noise and focus on what...
Jun 24, 2024•10 min
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text! On this episode of the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast, we're taking a closer look at our proven lesson planning framework. You'll hear how we developed this framework and its different components: Into Lesson, Through Lesson, and Beyond Lesson! Once we determined the ingredients needed in the recipe for a successful lesson plan, the entire planning process became much more simple and efficient! To begin, we'll share exactly what makes an "Into Lesso...
Jun 18, 2024•18 min•Ep. 289
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text! What if your life's true purpose is linked to the positive impact you have on others? In this Monday Mindset, I explore the connection between living your purpose and making a meaningful difference. We'll consider how roles, like teaching and inspiring others, can lead to a more fulfilling life. We'll reflect on our impact and recognize our unique gifts to align with a purpose that enriches both our lives and those around us. Celebrating others' success...
Jun 17, 2024•11 min
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text! On this episode of the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast, we're discussing what we call the "North Star" of lesson planning: your ELA standards! We're covering our most practical ways of utilizing your list of ELA standards to develop an outline of pacing for your scope and sequence. Once you have a "map" of standards to follow, then it becomes easier to pencil in units that effectively cover those standards! After you've matched units to the standards...
Jun 11, 2024•20 min
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text! Ever feel weighed down by anger and frustration? In this Monday Mindset, discover practical steps to unburden yourself from negative emotions and foster positive relationships. By focusing on your own journey and not letting others' negativity affect you, you can build a more resilient and fulfilling life. I discuss the common frustration of unmet expectations and the futility of hoping others will change. Instead, I urge you to consider the power you h...
Jun 10, 2024•11 min
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text! On this episode of the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast, we dissect the anatomy of a successful lesson plan — a captivating beginning, a standards-focused middle, and an impactful conclusion. This framework not only ensures your lessons flow effectively but also significantly cuts down planning time, allowing you to leave work at work and actually take back your personal time outside the classroom. After we cover the components of a successful lesson,...
Jun 04, 2024•36 min•Ep. 287
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text! In this Monday Mindset episode, I am exploring the question: Can an act of kindness truly transform your life? I believe that there is transformative power in serving others that will bring profound joy to your life! By shifting our focus from our own challenges to helping those around us, you will instantly foster gratitude, which assists in reducing any anxious feelings because you're focused on being thankful. I also challenge you to consider the imp...
Jun 03, 2024•9 min
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text! On this episode of the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast, your hosts Caitlin, Jessica, and Megan spend time breaking down their top 3 Must Do's to wrap up this school year and prepare for the fall! It can be very tempting to close up shop in May and leave the prep work for August, but in today's episode you'll learn our suggestions for simple things you can do now that your future self will definitely thank you for! Our top three tips include: 1. Refle...
May 28, 2024•19 min•Ep. 286
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text! Get ready for a moment of reflection in today's Monday Mindset! I'm taking this time to discuss the importance of shifting your focus from the relentless pursuit of what's ahead, to reflecting on the victories you've already achieved! Acknowledging achievements isn't just about giving ourselves a pat on the back—it's about laying the foundation of confidence and gratitude that will support our future endeavors. By shining a spotlight on our past victori...
May 27, 2024•8 min
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text! On this episode of the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast, we're encouraging you to shake the pressure of finding a magical new ELA unit to finish your school year with fun and engagement. Yep, you heard us right! While engagement and rigor are just as important at the end of the school year, we are challenging the idea that you need to search for something "brand new" to make that happen inside your classroom! Perhaps hitting the "rewind" button to rev...
May 21, 2024•23 min•Ep. 285
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text! In today's Monday Mindset, I'm presenting the idea of tipping the scales from anxiety to optimism with a simple, yet profound mental shift! Imagine if, instead of fretting over the direst outcomes, you spent that energy picturing the best possible scenarios! Let's walk through the process of balancing your perspectives to foster a more hopeful approach to life's hurdles. By envisioning the brightest outcomes, you'll lay the groundwork for a more proacti...
May 20, 2024•8 min
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text! On this episode of the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast, we're diving into a very opinionated topic: Grading. The majority of the team members that make up the behind-the-scenes of EB Academics were once educators themselves at a variety of different grade levels. So we thought it would be perfect to "poll the team" and gather their most helpful tips for managing the demands of grading work in the ELA classroom. We breakdown the tips below and more: -...
May 14, 2024•28 min•Ep. 284
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text! Get ready for a fresh perspective on time and how it impacts our ability to be present with our surroundings in this Monday Mindset! I take a minute to unravel how getting lost in experiences that captivate us can warp our sense of time, leading us to a state of pure presence. What if you find something this week that will immerse you so deeply that time becomes irrelevant? It's an invitation to be fully present, and in doing so, enhance your well-being...
May 13, 2024•4 min
I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text! On this episode of the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast, your hosts, Caitlin, Jessica, and Megan sat down to discuss a fresh method to try with your students when trying to give their creativity a boost! Tune in as they dive into the SCAMPER method and walk you through a unique example for you to see it in action. SCAMPER stands for: Substitute Combine Adapt Modify/Magnify Purpose/Put to other uses Eliminate…and… Rearrange/Reverse You'll discover inno...
May 07, 2024•24 min•Ep. 282
