Advertise on podcast: Two Middle School ELA Teachers

Spring fever is real — and if your middle school students are suddenly acting like they have forgotten how to sit, listen, think, or care, you are not alone. In this episode, I'm sharing a fun poetry lesson I tried today when my students were restless, distracted, and not exactly eager to do "regular school." I used the poem "Autobiography in Five Short Chapters," but this same idea could work with almost any poem you are already teaching. The best part? The lesson actually worked. Students were engaged, they were thinking, they were talking, and it even gave me a fresh idea for what to do next. If you are a middle school ELA teacher trying to survive the last stretch of the school year, this episode will give you a simple, low-prep poetry activity you can use right away.

What makes a teacher truly effective? Is it the lessons they design? The strategies they use? The test scores their students achieve? In this episode of Two Middle School ELA Teachers by ELA Core Plans, we explore 12 characteristics of effective teachers that students consistently remember years later.   If you're a teacher who wants to make a lasting impact—not just academically, but personally—this episode will encourage you and remind you why the work you do matters. We'll also share a fun St. Patrick's Day writing activity you can use with your students that practices important ELA skills while keeping students engaged. You can find the link below.    Click here for two FREE engaging writing activities to use this March in your middle school ELA classroom!  These are perfect for St. Patrick's Day!

In this episode for Middle School ELA teachers, we tackle the nonstop "roast climate" that can hijack your class—yo mama jokes, put-downs, and the back-and-forth that feeds off the audience. You'll learn how to tell the difference between joking and harmful comments using the Roast Scale, what to say in the moment, and how to use clear, consistent consequences to shut it down and reset your classroom culture.   This link will take you to the Google Form for signing-up to be our very first teacher that we get to help launch 5 TPT Products with a personalized blueprint! !  We can't wait to help you!  Sign up today! We will select one teacher later in January!

In this episode, Shannon shares two quick, high-engagement writing activities you can use right away—even if winter weather has your schedule totally off track. You'll hear how "The Day the Rules Disappeared" works as a persuasive writing lesson and a classroom reset, plus a fun Valentine's option, "Break Up With Winter," that gets even reluctant writers to buy in. Both resources are FREE and include print-and-teach materials, with an optional interactive extension linked inside. Grab both freebies here! The Day the Rules Disappeared Break Up With Winter

January can feel like the first day of school all over again—except your middle schoolers are louder, bolder, and ready to test every boundary. In this episode, we're sharing practical, real-life strategies for middle school ELA teachers who need a true classroom reset after winter break. You'll learn how to choose the most important behaviors to reset, tighten routines without long lectures, prevent problems before they start, and respond calmly and consistently when students push back—so you can get your class back on track fast.   This link will take you to the Google Form for signing-up to be our very first teacher that we get to help launch 5 TPT Products with a personalized blueprint! !  We can't wait to help you!  Sign up today! We will select one teacher later in January!

If your students stare blankly at rubrics or ignore them altogether, this episode is for you. In this episode of Two Middle School ELA Teachers, Shannon shares a fun, low-stakes, and unforgettable way to introduce students to what a rubric really is—by blowing bubbles. You'll hear how she uses a bubble-blowing challenge to teach the two essential parts of a rubric (criteria and levels) and how that experience gives students the confidence to understand and use the SC READY argumentative writing rubric. In this episode, you'll learn: How to set up the bubblegum rubric activity  How to transition into the real writing rubric using student-friendly language How to run a fishbowl scoring activity that helps students internalize rubric expectations Why rubrics give students power—and how to make that message stick Grab our free bubble gum rubric here!

Get ready for a frightfully fun October in your ELA classroom! In this episode, Shannon shares how to host a One-Sentence Spooky Story Week to teach sentence structure, punctuation, and style in a way that feels creative and seasonal. Learn how to help students start sentences in new ways, weave in clauses and phrases, and build suspense in just one chilling line. Then, discover how a Dead Word Funeral sets the perfect stage for stronger word choice all month long. Packed with mentor examples, teaching tips, and Halloween classroom magic — this one's a must-listen for ELA teachers who love a good scare and great writing. Check out our Weak Words Dead and Gone Activity Pack in our TPT store!

Every teacher has those days—when behaviors feel overwhelming, the lesson doesn't land, or you leave school wondering if you're really making a difference. In this episode, I open up about the reality of defeated days in the classroom and share five practical ways to reset. You'll also hear encouragement to remind you that one hard day doesn't define your calling. Tomorrow is a brand-new chance, and your presence matters more than you know.

Are you accidentally making behavior problems worse in your middle school classroom? In this episode, Shannon and Tammy break down five common teacher defense mechanisms—from lagging on lessons to fisheye syndrome—that feel easier in the moment but slowly wreck classroom climate. You'll hear real examples from our classrooms, practical strategies to use instead, and encouragement to step into behavior management with confidence. Want more help with classroom management?  We have a Classroom Management Playbook that you can check out in our TPT store.  This resource is also included in our ELA Core Club! Ready to purchase all of the systems in the ELA Core Club and have coaching calls with us?  Click here!  If you prefer to purchase on TPT, we offer a bundle for each grade level that's very similar to the ELA Core Club. The only difference is that it doesn't include the coaching piece (two calls and unlimited email support). You can grab the Yearlong ELA Curriculum: Everything You Need for 6th, 7th, or 8th grade by clicking the links below. 6th Grade Yearlong ELA Curriculum 7th grade Yearlong ELA Curriculum   8th grade Yearlong ELA Curriculum

In this episode, I'm sharing a quick, engaging vocabulary activity you can try tomorrow in your middle school ELA class and an update that will make your planning life easier. Be sure and download our FREE sample of the ELA Core Club! Just click the link below.  https://bit.ly/elaclubfreebie Ready to purchase all of the systems in the ELA Core Club and have coaching calls with us?  Click here!  If you prefer to purchase on TPT, we offer a bundle for each grade level that's very similar to the ELA Core Club. The only difference is that it doesn't include the coaching piece (two calls and unlimited email support). You can grab the Yearlong ELA Curriculum: Everything You Need for 6th, 7th, or 8th grade by clicking the links below. 6th Grade Yearlong ELA Curriculum 7th grade Yearlong ELA Curriculum 8th grade Yearlong ELA Curriculum

In today's episode of Two Middle School ELA Teachers by ELA Core Plans, Shannon shares one of her all-time favorite middle school ELA classroom activities! This isn't just fun and games—it's powerful ELA instruction wrapped in courtroom drama.  If you want the complete mock trial resource for Rikki-tikki-tavi that is discussed in this episode, you can download it on TPT by clicking this link!  Also.. we've got a free gift just for YOU, our listeners. You can now download a free sample of the ELA Core Club for 6th, 7th, or 8th grade. It's packed with ready-to-use resources: ✔️ Two weeks of Core Chomp and Standard Start bell ringers ✔️ Unit 1 of grammar ✔️ Unit 1 of vocabulary ✔️ Free handouts from our Best Practices and Mini Lesson folders  Grab yours here: https://bit.ly/elaclubfreebie This isn't just a sneak peek—it's a full-on jumpstart to running your middle school ELA classroom with confidence and consistency. If you love the sample, the full ELA Core Club is a one-time purchase you can use for years. Plus, it comes with unlimited email support for a year and two personal coaching calls with us! Also, if you haven't had a chance to grab your free first week lessons, you can visit this link to grab those: bit.ly/ELAFreeWeek If you love the freebie, and you're ready to start using all of the resources in the ELA Core Club, click here to purchase and use the code ELAInsiders for a discount (good through Sept. 8, 2025)!  Whether you're a new teacher or a seasoned pro looking for a streamlined system, this episode—and the freebie—are for you.

Classroom management doesn't have to be a trial-by-fire experience. In this episode of Two Middle School ELA Teachers, Shannon and Tammy get real about the rookie behavior mistakes they made—and still see others making—in middle school classrooms.  Whether you're a brand new teacher or a veteran who's feeling the midweek burnout, this heart-to-heart will leave you with practical behavior tips you can use tomorrow. Bonus Resources Mentioned: Grab your FREE back-to-school printables for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade: bit.ly/elafreeweek Want the full Classroom Behavior Playbook? It's inside the ELA Core Club—a one-time purchase packed with systems that help you manage your classroom and fit everything in.   Use the code ELAINSIDER for a discount until September 8th! Let's reflect together: What rookie behavior mistake are you still making? What's one small habit you can shift this week? Who's in your corner when you need support?

In this episode of Two Middle School ELA Teachers, we're announcing the three amazing winners of our ELA Core Club Giveaway.  We're thrilled for these teachers to experience the full power of the ELA Core Club Year-long curriculum! But that's not all... we've got a free gift just for YOU, our listeners. You can now download a free sample of the ELA Core Club for 6th, 7th, or 8th grade. It's packed with ready-to-use resources: ✔️ Two weeks of Core Chomp and Standard Start bell ringers ✔️ Unit 1 of grammar ✔️ Unit 1 of vocabulary ✔️ Free handouts from our Best Practices and Mini Lesson folders 🎁 Grab yours here: https://bit.ly/elaclubfreebie This isn't just a sneak peek—it's a full-on jumpstart to running your middle school ELA classroom with confidence and consistency. If you love the sample, the full ELA Core Club is a one-time purchase you can use for years. Plus, it comes with unlimited email support for a year and two personal coaching calls with us! Also, if you haven't had a chance to grab your free first week lessons, you can visit this link to grab those: bit.ly/ELAFreeWeek If you love the freebie, and you're ready to start using all of the resources in the ELA Core Club, click here to purchase and use the code ELAInsiders for a discount (good through Sept. 8, 2025)!  Whether you're a new teacher or a seasoned pro looking for a streamlined system, this episode—and the freebie—are for you.

Start your school year with laughter, connection, and classroom community! In this episode of Two Middle School ELA Teachers by ELA Core Plans, we're sharing engaging icebreakers that are perfect for Day 1 in your ELA classroom. From team-building challenges to creative communication games, you'll find activities that help students bond—and make your first day fun and memorable. Plus, don't miss our giveaway!  Go take a look at our newest product - ELA Core Club and use the discount code to save today!   Mentioned in this episode: Freebie + Giveaway: bit.ly/ELAFreeWeek Discount Code: ELAInsiders (good through Sept 8)

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 confidence! Get entered into the ELA Core Club giveaway when you download. Link below. 💬 Mentioned in this episode: TikTok Teacher: Misty Brock, and us ~ ELA Core Plans! Freebie + Giveaway: bit.ly/ELAFreeWeek Discount Code: ELAInsiders (good through Sept 8)