Join us as we reveal surprising events in 2024 that promise to infuse excitement into your classrooms. This year in 2024, there are two natural phenomena that can become captivating learning experiences for middle school ELA students. This episode is filled with creative ideas and resources. Listen in to uncover the surprise elements that will add a unique touch to your teaching toolkit. Be sure to grab the FREEBIE mentioned in this episode here! Also, check out the TpT resource mentioned about ...
Feb 27, 2024•8 min
In this episode of "Two Middle School ELA Teachers," Shannon takes you on a journey through a day in her 7th-grade ELA classroom. Recorded solo in the quiet aftermath of a Wednesday evening, Shannon shares the intricacies of her classroom routine, and shares exactly what she did in that day. Join her as she guides her students through engaging activities, imparts essential ELA concepts, and gives you a glimpse into the dynamic life of an ELA teacher. Tune in for insights, anecdotes, and a snapsh...
Jan 30, 2024•15 min•Season 2Ep. 40
With a keen focus on moving students from merely "renting" knowledge to truly owning it, Shannon shares practical strategies and experiences that have proven effective in her own middle school ELA classroom. Discover how the philosophy of repetition can revolutionize the learning experience, especially in areas like grammar, vocabulary, and writing. Shannon discusses the importance of consistent review and practice to solidify concepts, challenging the common trend where students seem to forget ...
Nov 15, 2023•13 min•Season 2Ep. 39
In this episode titled "Let's Be Honest," we will tackle topics like teacher burnout, challenging students, and navigating difficult relationships with colleagues. Through candid conversations and practical insights, we shed light on the rewarding, yet sometimes tough, journey of educators, emphasizing the importance of self-care and the long-lasting impact of teaching.
Oct 31, 2023•11 min•Season 2Ep. 38
In this episode, we delve into how you can use Twilight Zone episodes in your middle school ELA classroom. Discover how these thought-provoking stories provide an excellent platform for teaching ELA, including character development analysis, exploring moral dilemmas, and dissecting literary elements such as symbolism and foreshadowing. We'll discuss how "The Twilight Zone" seamlessly aligns with Common Core State Standards by integrating multimedia sources into the curriculum, enriching students...
Oct 17, 2023•8 min•Season 2Ep. 37
Transitions are a natural part of any lesson, and if handled correctly, they can save time and minimize disruptions. Discover tips on organization, efficient paper handling, clear instructions, and tech-savvy solutions to keep your students engaged and your lessons flowing smoothly. Whether you're a seasoned teacher or just starting your journey in education, these strategies will help you create an environment where transitions are not a source of chaos but an opportunity for learning. Tune in ...
Sep 12, 2023•10 min•Season 2Ep. 35
Ever faced the challenge of having middle school students who struggle to construct even a single sentence? We have been there too. We will unravel practical strategies to turn sentence struggles into writing successes from day one. Discover how to teach the foundational skills often overlooked, whether your students are beginners or seasoned writers. Starting the year with sentence-writing activities is key! Worried about engagement? Rest assured, these strategies are tailored to middle schoole...
Aug 22, 2023•13 min•Season 2Ep. 34
In our podcast "All Systems a Go,", you will discover proven strategies to run a successful ELA classroom in the first nine weeks of school. From grammar to vocabulary and writing, we've got you covered. Don't miss out on free pacing guides and engaging resources. Get ready to inspire young minds and elevate your teaching! Happy listening! First Nine Weeks Free Pacing Guide Middle School ELA 6th Grade Frist Nine Weeks Pacing Guide - 7th Grade First Nine Weeks Pacing Guide - 8th grade...
Aug 08, 2023•13 min•Season 2Ep. 33
Welcome to "Two Middle School ELA Teachers!" In the first nine weeks, we lay the groundwork for essential skills like grammar, analysis, objective summaries, word choice, gist statements, and themes in stories. Through strategic bell ringers and proven methods, we empower students for academic success. Be sure to download our free first nine weeks pacing guide for 7th grade and the second nine weeks too! We now have FREE first nine weeks pacing guides for grades 6-8! Sixth grade ELA pacing guide...
Jul 25, 2023•14 min•Season 2Ep. 32
Join us on "Two Middle School ELA Teachers" as we share our top Amazon wishlist items for this upcoming school year! In this episode, we're not promoting specific brands or seeking any kickbacks. Instead, we focus on the items themselves and their potential to create a positive and engaging classroom environment. Tune in to discover practical and inspiring ideas that can make a difference in your own teaching journey.
Jul 11, 2023•10 min•Season 2Ep. 31
In this episode of "Two Middle School ELA Teachers," we delve into the essential strategies for effective classroom management. We explore three key pillars that lay the foundation for a positive and productive learning environment: establishing expectations and routines, communication and preventing problems, and efficient classroom management. Whether you're a new or experienced educator, this episode will provide valuable insights and practical tips to help you enhance your classroom manageme...
Jun 27, 2023•23 min•Ep. 30
Welcome to the first episode of "What it Takes to Manage a Middle School ELA Classroom," a two-part series. In this episode, we dive into the ever-evolving challenges of today's classroom environment and provide insights based on 24 years of experience teaching middle school. In this episode, we offer practical tips, such as storytelling and intentional communication, to help teachers connect with their students on a deeper level. From writing personalized letters to offering individual and clas...
Jun 13, 2023•15 min•Season 1Ep. 29
In this episode, we share practical tips and strategies for teachers as they wrap up the school year and prepare for the next one. Join us as we discuss practical tips for things you can do right now to equip you to have a smooth transition and start the upcoming academic year on a strong note.
May 30, 2023•8 min•Season 1Ep. 28
In this episode, join us as we discuss a favorite assignment for both teachers and students. They're called one-pagers, and students love them because they get to have creative freedom. Teachers love them because they're easier to grade than essays! We will provide insights on what one-pagers are, practical tips on incorporating them into your curriculum, and strategies for making them effective. Unleash your students' creativity and empower them to showcase their understanding of literature in ...
May 16, 2023•11 min•Season 1Ep. 27
Looking for a fun and engaging end-of-the-year project for your middle school ELA students? As middle school teachers, we know what it's like at the end of the year: kids are tired, teachers are tired, and testing is over. That's why we're sharing a project that's high interest and high engagement for students but low prep for teachers. In this episode, we'll talk about an inquiry-based project that's perfect for the end of the year: having your students write and illustrate a children's book! T...
May 02, 2023•13 min•Season 1Ep. 26
In this episode, we discuss two fun and creative activities that are perfect for the end of the school year. The first activity is called "Welcome to my Fairytale," where students work in groups to update classic fairytales and perform skits for the class. The second activity is slam poetry, where students learn about poetic elements and write their own poems to perform. We provide examples and ideas for each activity, and even offer links to resources you can use in your classroom. These engagi...
Apr 18, 2023•10 min•Season 1Ep. 25
It's test taking season, and that means we should prepare our students to do their best! In this podcast, we bring you fun and engaging strategies and activities that will help your students develop critical thinking skills and choose the best answer in a multiple choice question. We will share practical and creative tips and activities to help your kids master the art of choosing the BEST answer. We'll also explore the top wrong answer choices that test makers use in multiple choice questions....
Apr 04, 2023•18 min
In this episode, we explore the world of artificial intelligence and its potential to revolutionize the way we teach. Specifically, we discuss ChatGPT, an AI writing assistant created by OpenAI. While some may find the idea of using AI in the classroom daunting, we know that Chat GPT can be an incredibly valuable tool for middle school teachers. It can help with a variety of tasks, including standards alignment, mentor sentences, drafting parent emails, creating writing prompts, and even writing...
Mar 21, 2023•16 min
In this episode, we explore the concept of mentor sentences and how they can be used effectively in the ELA classroom. Mentor sentences are examples of great writing that students can learn from and model their own writing after. We discuss the benefits of using mentor sentences, such as improving students' writing skills, increasing their knowledge of grammar and syntax, and helping them develop their own writing voice. We also provide practical tips and strategies for incorporating mentor sent...
Mar 07, 2023•11 min•Season 1Ep. 22
In this episode, we share four engaging and interactive activities that can help middle school students understand and practice the key concepts of argumentative writing without having to write a formal essay. We cover the claim vs. opinion game, the debate roundtable, role-playing scenarios, and the expert opinion research. Each activity is designed to be both educational and fun, making it easier for students to stay engaged and retain the information. We have a special offer for those who lis...
Feb 21, 2023•16 min•Season 1Ep. 21
Need some ideas on how to teach poetry? The acronym TWIST UP is a game changer when it comes to teaching poetry! Listen to learn how this simple strategy will have your students analyzing poems on a deeper level in no time. The acronym will help create wonderful discussions in your classroom, and everything you need to teach poetry can be included within the letters of the acronym.
Feb 14, 2023•15 min•Ep. 20
Join us in this second episodes about implementing book clubs in your middle school ELA classroom. This episode will be all about adding accountability and fun!
Jan 31, 2023•17 min•Season 1Ep. 19
If you've been wanting to start book clubs in your middle school classroom, but you're not sure how to do it, this episode is for you. This first episode of the series will explain how to form book club groups in your classroom and how to choose the right novels for your middle school students.
Jan 17, 2023•14 min
If you are wondering how to keep your middle school ELA students interested and engaged while reading, this episode is for you! We will talk about what to do other than a simple whole-class read to assess your studetns comprehension, provide them with higher order questions, and keep them all awake and active in the lesson. This episode will provide you with ideas that you can take immediately back to your own classroom.
Jan 03, 2023•11 min•Season 1Ep. 17
We have a solution for preparing your middle school ELA students for high stakes standardized testing in an effective and fun way. We call it Test Prep Tuesdays. Listen to find out how this method of ours avoids burn-out and encourages a growth mindset with the practice needed to prepare students for the end of the year test!
Dec 20, 2022•14 min•Season 1Ep. 16
Looking for fun and creative Christmas themed lessons for your middle school ELA class? We've got you covered with several of our favorite Christmas themed activities! Teach the standards while having some engaging and original Christmas fun! Be sure to check out our blog for all of the mentioned links and free printables! https://elacoreplans.com/middle-school-ela-christmas-activities/
Dec 06, 2022•19 min•Season 1Ep. 15
A greatful heart truly does bring joy. This Thanksgiving season, we wanted to provide a list of all of the things that we are thankful for as teachers.
Nov 22, 2022•5 min•Season 1Ep. 14
If you need an engaging lesson for the days before Thanksgiving break, this episode has you covered! Listen to hear a creative writing assignment that your kids will remember forever! Plus, we will share some other fun Thanksgiving worthy lesson ideas. Be sure to visit our blog https://elacoreplans.com/middle-school-ela-thanksgiving-lessons/ for the links mentioned and the free printables!
Nov 15, 2022•14 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Today's episode is all about games you can play in your middle school ELA classroom. We'll tell you all about six super fun games that you can take back to your classroom immediately! Be sure to visit our blog for all show notes and printables! https://elacoreplans.com/review-games-for-the-ela-classroom/
Nov 08, 2022•18 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Listen up to hear a great idea to motivate middle school students when it comes to reading independently or learning new vocabulary words. With an easy printable BINGO card, ELA class can become much more fun! Be sure to check out all of our shownotes, including links to free printables on our blog at https://elacoreplans.com/bingo-cards-in-middle-school-ela/
Oct 25, 2022•10 min•Season 1Ep. 10
