Want to start the school year strong with a classroom full of motivated, respectful, and engaged middle schoolers? In this episode of Two Middle School ELA Teachers , we dive into one of the most important (yet often overlooked) ingredients for classroom success: classroom climate . You’ll walk away with ideas you can use right away to create a space your students will love walking into—and that you’ll love teaching in. Don’t forget to grab your free week of ELA lessons to kick off the year with...
Jul 08, 2025•14 min•Season 2Ep. 69
Prime Day is here, and we’re sharing some of our favorite classroom tools, organizational must-haves, and a few fun teacher splurges that make the school year smoother. In this episode, we’re walking you through our top Amazon picks—things we use (and love!) in our middle school ELA classrooms to stay calm, collected, and ready to teach. From color-coded folders and dry erase boards to our dream ice maker and a pencil dispenser that actually works, we’re talking practical meets fun—and we’ve got...
Jul 03, 2025•14 min•Season 2Ep. 68
In this episode, we’re talking about the three systems every middle school ELA teacher should have in place before school starts — systems that save time, reduce stress, and actually work all year long! Plus, we’ll show you how to grab everything we mention (and then some!) inside the ELA Core Club — and how to get started with our free First Week ELA Launch Kit ! Grab your free week of lesson plans here! When you download, you’ll automatically be entered to win the full ELA Core Club for your g...
Jun 27, 2025•20 min
In today’s episode, I’m sharing how I’m spending my summer—and it’s not just about relaxing! From reading a powerful book to exploring creative outlets, I’m discovering some exciting ways to bring new ideas into my world, and I want to share how you can do this too! Plus, I’ve got a special offer for those of you looking to make a move this summer. Tune in to hear how you can start building something incredible and why now is the perfect time to take action. Links mentioned in the show: ChatGPT ...
Jun 03, 2025•11 min•Season 2Ep. 66
2 End-of-Year ELA Activities Your Students Will Actually Enjoy It’s May, the end of the school year, and we all know what that means – restless students, tired teachers, and a countdown to summer break. But before you toss your gradebook in the air and head for the beach, I’ve got two creative, low-prep ELA activities that will keep your students engaged and laughing through the final days of school. In this episode, I’ll share: ✅ The Year in Review Skit Challenge – a high-energy, creative way t...
May 13, 2025•9 min•Season 2Ep. 65
Are you unknowingly teaching to just a few students while the rest fade into the background? In this solo episode of Two Middle School ELA Teachers , Shannon dives into two hidden classroom challenges— fisheye syndrome and the classic case of hogs and logs .
Apr 29, 2025•11 min•Season 2Ep. 64
In this episode of Two Middle School ELA Teachers by ELA Core Plans , Shannon shares effective strategies for keeping middle school students engaged and motivated during the end-of-year slump, especially in April and May. With state testing approaching, it can be challenging to maintain focus, but Shannon offers practical tips to help. Listen for fresh ideas on how to keep your students energized, on task, and ready to finish the school year strong.
Apr 15, 2025•8 min•Season 2Ep. 63
In this episode of Two Middle School ELA Teachers by ELA Core Plans , Shannon shares a fun and competitive review game called "Sink or Swim" that’s perfect for engaging middle school students in ELA practice. Learn how to use this game to review important concepts like comma rules, test prep, and more. Shannon also shares a helpful hack for finding released test questions to help your students prepare for state assessments, and how you can incorporate them into your classroom with a competitive ...
Mar 18, 2025•7 min•Season 2Ep. 61
Test prep season is here, and middle school ELA teachers know the struggle—students zoning out while reading passage after passage. In this episode, we’re sharing high-impact comprehension strategies that actually work! We’ll talk about five strategies that that work for fi ction and nonfiction to help students stay engaged, monitor their understanding, and tackle test passages with confidence.
Mar 04, 2025•8 min•Season 2Ep. 61
Grading essays can be overwhelming , especially with a large class. In this episode, I share how I used ChatGPT to provide detailed, consistent, and unbiased feedback on my middle school students' writing. I’ll walk you through the exact process I used, how it saved me hours of grading time , and why my students actually found the feedback more helpful than traditional comments.
Feb 19, 2025•12 min•Season 2Ep. 60
In this episode of Two Middle School ELA Teachers , Shannon takes you through an engaging, hands-on activity called "The Great Nonfiction Scavenger Hunt" —perfect for introducing nonfiction to your middle school students. Say goodbye to zoning out during note-taking and hello to interactive stations that keep students moving, thinking, and learning. Shannon shares how she sets up six stations focused on key nonfiction concepts like text features, text structures, author’s purpose, and more. Plus...
Feb 04, 2025•9 min•Season 2Ep. 60
Episode Description: Get your students up and moving with this fun and engaging ELA activity! In this episode, we’re diving into the Context Clue Walk About , where students work in pairs to decipher word meanings using context clues in a hands-on, interactive way. Learn how to set it up, teach context clue strategies with the LEAD acronym, and choose the perfect words for your middle schoolers. Plus, we’ll share tips for keeping students on task and ideas for adapting this activity to teach oth...
Jan 14, 2025•9 min•Season 2Ep. 59
What makes a teacher truly unforgettable? In this episode of Two Middle School ELA Teachers by ELA Core Plans , we explore the elusive “It Factor” that sets exceptional teachers apart. These are the educators who connect effortlessly with students, make learning engaging, and leave a lasting impact on young lives. Join us as we break down the key qualities that define the “It Factor". We’ll share stories, insights, and practical tips for fostering these traits in your own classroom. Whether you’...
Nov 26, 2024•13 min•Season 2Ep. 58
In this episode of Two Middle School ELA Teachers by ELA Core Plans , we’re diving into the art of argumentative writing with “A Clever Lesson for Argumentative Writing.” We’ll explore an engaging lesson plan that helps middle schoolers master the essentials of crafting strong arguments. From brainstorming and prewriting to gathering evidence and structuring a well-organized essay, we cover strategies to make argumentative writing clear and compelling. We’ll share insights on using the Four Squa...
Nov 12, 2024•14 min•Season 2Ep. 57
Join us, two middle school ELA teachers from ELA Core Plans, as we discuss our favorite time of the year in the middle school ELA classroom – October! In this episode, we share our excitement for spooky stories and how we plan to engage our students during this season. We highlight the classic tales that we have lined up for the month of October. Halloween Stories for Middle School ELA: Duffy’s Jacket Click Clack the Rattlebag The Monsters are Due on Maple Street Sorry, Wrong Number The Ultimate...
Oct 29, 2024•9 min•Season 2Ep. 36
In this October episode, we are bringing you some spook-tacular writing activities that will engage your students while building key skills in narrative and persuasive writing. First, we dive into a Halloween-themed writing activity where students get creative by designing their own costumes, writing vivid descriptions, and crafting persuasive ads using ethos, logos, and pathos . This lesson is the perfect blend of creativity and structure, aligned with Common Core Standards, so your students ha...
Oct 15, 2024•13 min•Season 2Ep. 56
Welcome to the Two Middle School ELA Teachers podcast by ELA Core Plans! In this episode, we’re diving into a simple yet transformative strategy that could revolutionize your classroom—retesting with a twist. As middle school ELA teachers, we know how disheartening it can be when students close their Chromebooks after a test without a second thought. But what if there was a way to turn that test into a powerful learning experience?
Oct 01, 2024•9 min•Season 2Ep. 55
Discover a dynamic and engaging way to manage your ELA classroom with our latest episode! We dive into the innovative concept of classroom economies, where students become savvy financial managers, earning and spending classroom currency. Learn how this system can transform behavior management and foster real-world skills in responsibility, financial literacy, and teamwork. Tune in for practical tips, job ideas, and ready-to-use handouts to kickstart your own classroom economy. Perfect for middl...
Sep 17, 2024•13 min•Season 2Ep. 54
Welcome to Two Middle School ELA Teachers , the podcast where we unravel the complexities of English Language Arts. Join us as we explore innovative strategies, like incorporating writing prompts before reading assignments, to help students master new standards and excel in state assessments. This season, discover how our UQO method—Underline, Question, and Original Thinking—empowers students to think critically and connect reading and writing in meaningful ways. Tune in for practical tips, enga...
Sep 03, 2024•8 min•Season 2Ep. 53
Join us in this episode as we delve into Notice & Note: Strategies for Close Reading by Kylene Beers, Robert E. Probst, and G. Kylene Beers. Discover the six essential reading signposts introduced in the book, designed to engage students deeply with any fictional text. These signposts guide students to identify significant literary moments, prompting critical thinking and discussions. We'll explore each signpost—Contrasts and Contradictions, Aha Moment, Tough Questions, Words of the Wiser, A...
Aug 20, 2024•8 min•Season 2Ep. 52
Join us for engaging discussions on middle school book clubs and First Chapter Fridays. Explore captivating reads, share insights, and inspire a love for reading among young students. Discover practical tips for making First Chapter Fridays a success. Tune in to learn how to create lifelong readers in your classroom! Our Book Club Resource 6th Grade 1st nine weeks Pacing Guide 7th Grade 1st nine weeks Pacing Guide 8th Grade 1st nine weeks Pacing Guide...
Aug 06, 2024•6 min•Season 2Ep. 51
In this episode, we dive into the essentials of classroom management, focusing on four key areas: relationships, engagement, bell-to-bell instruction, and transitions and procedures. Discover how to create a positive, productive, and engaging learning environment where students thrive. What You’ll Learn: Building Relationships: Tips for establishing trust and respect, understanding your students, and maintaining open communication. Enhancing Engagement: Strategies to keep students actively invol...
Jul 23, 2024•17 min•Season 2Ep. 50
In this episode, we are sharing our top picks for Amazon Prime Day deals that every middle school ELA teacher should know about! These hand-picked items will not only save you money but also enhance your teaching experience. Tune in to hear about these deals and how we use them or plan to use them. Don't miss out on these must-have Amazon Prime Day bargains designed to make your ELA classroom a success. Amazon List One Amazon List Two...
Jul 09, 2024•10 min•Season 2Ep. 49
Join us in this episode as we share the secrets to starting a successful Teachers Pay Teachers (TpT) store. Ranked in the 99th percentile, we’ll guide you through the initial steps of becoming a TpT seller, from creating unique products to choosing the right membership. Discover how you and a friend can collaborate, generate extra income, and reignite your creativity as educators. Perfect for ELA teachers looking to make a meaningful impact and boost their earnings. Subscribe now and start your ...
Jun 25, 2024•9 min•Season 2Ep. 48
Before you open a store, you probably want to make sure you have some products or at least can make some products, so this episode will help you take some inventory of what you have and how you can create quality products. Please complete this quick Google Form if you would like to hear more content like what is included in this episode! We would love to look at your ideas and give you feedback! Feel free to email us! stemple@elacoreplans.com tdavis@elacoreplans.com...
Jun 18, 2024•11 min•Season 2Ep. 47
Today, Tammy and I will share the first episode in this summer series, where we’ll outline four compelling reasons why you should join forces with your best teacher friend and start selling on Teachers Pay Teachers (TpT). We began our journey back in 2006 with S&T Publications and transitioned to TpT as ELA Core Plans in 2013. Since then, we've achieved incredible success, ranking in the top 1% of TpT sellers. We’re eager to share our experiences and insights with you, and maybe even inspire...
Jun 11, 2024•9 min•Season 2Ep. 46
In this episode of "Two Middle School ELA Teachers" by ELA Core Plans we are sharing an exciting end-of-year activity to keep middle school students engaged and motivated as the school year comes to a close. We'll tell you about a fun and low-maintenance activity that brings literature to life. Additionally, I will also share an alternative idea of updating fairy tales to modern settings for a fresh spin on storytelling. You can find our modern day fairy tale resource by clicking here. Don't mis...
May 09, 2024•5 min•Season 2Ep. 45
Join us as we share some fun games for test prep season. In this episode, we will share two games that you can play immediately in your classroom as you tackle the end of the year review in your ELA classrooms.
Apr 23, 2024•7 min•Season 2Ep. 44
In this episode of "Two Middle School ELA Teachers by ELA Core Plans," join Shannon as she shares secrets for bringing poetry to life in your middle school ELA classroom. Building upon previous discussions about introducing poetry in the classroom, Shannon dives into the realm of narrative poetry with a focus on Alfred Noyes' timeless classic, "The Highwayman." Discover Shannon's engaging teaching methods, from interactive historical discussions about highwaymen to dynamic sound effect readings ...
Mar 26, 2024•11 min•Season 2Ep. 43
Introduce poetry to your students with these fresh and fun ideas for your middle school ELA classroom! In this episode, explore an inquiry-based activity where students roam the room, absorbing diverse poems and creating their unique 'found poems.' This activity is followed by another fun introduction involving music! We will talk about how we used Tracy Chapman's 'Fast Car' to teach students to annotate and explore poems like 'Oranges' by Gary Soto and 'Autobiography in Five Short Chapters' by ...
Mar 12, 2024•9 min•Season 2Ep. 42
