All in One Podcast for Middle School Language Arts Teachers

The end of the school year is a unique mix of excitement, exhaustion, and unpredictability—especially in middle school ELA. Between assemblies, schedule changes, and restless students, it can be tough to keep learning meaningful without burning yourself out. That’s why having a set of low-prep, high-engagement end of year activities is essential. In this podcast, you’ll find simple, effective end of year ELA activities that help you review key skills, celebrate student growth, and keep your classroom running smoothly—without requiring hours of planning.  We will discuss: Celebrating Books with Book Awards A Quick and Easy Game Memory Books Summer-Themed Activities Independent Work Ideas Let's connect!  Membership:  Join the All in One Middle School Membership! Full Year Curriculum on TPT Teaching Writing Workshop Course – Available on TPT Subscribe:  Get updates and free products when you subscribe Facebook Group:  Middle School Language Arts Teacher Instagram: @all.in.one.middle.school Info on products:  Follow me on TPT My website:  www.allinonemiddleschool.com My TPT Store:  All in One Middle School – TPT YouTube:  Teach My Class with All in One Middle School – free lessons and First Chapter Fridays Email:  [email protected] Helpful Links: Companion Blog Post Join the Membership  Complete Monthly Curriculum on TPT  End of Year Activities in my TPT Store Summer-Themed Activities in my TPT Store Free End of Year Poetry Activity One-on-One Coaching for Observations and Lessons  Teaching Writing Workshop Course Click here to join the Middle School Language Arts Facebook Group

May is Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, making it the perfect time to introduce students to powerful stories that highlight diverse voices, experiences, and perspectives. These novels not only build empathy and cultural awareness, but they also engage middle school readers with relatable characters and meaningful themes. We will discuss: I Am Kavi by Thushanthi Ponweera In the Tunnel by Julie Lee Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhhà Lại Amina’s Voice by Hena Khan Blackbird Fly by Erin Entrada Kelly Let's connect!  Membership:  Join the All in One Middle School Membership! Full Year Curriculum on TPT Teaching Writing Workshop Course – Available on TPT Subscribe:  Get updates and free products when you subscribe Facebook Group:  Middle School Language Arts Teacher Instagram: @all.in.one.middle.school Info on products:  Follow me on TPT My website:  www.allinonemiddleschool.com My TPT Store:  All in One Middle School – TPT YouTube:  Teach My Class with All in One Middle School – free lessons and First Chapter Fridays Email:  [email protected] Helpful Links: Companion Blog Post Join the Membership  Complete Monthly Curriculum on TPT  Asian American Pacific Islander Choice Board YouTube Channel – Free First Chapter Friday and ELA Lessons! Character Identity Mini Lesson Hexagonal Thinking for Any Novel Digital Notebook for Any Novel  One-on-One Coaching for Observations and Lessons  Teaching Writing Workshop Course Click here to join the Middle School Language Arts Facebook Group

Earth Day is more than just a calendar date—it’s a chance for students to connect with the natural world, think creatively, and practice essential reading and writing skills. Middle schoolers in particular benefit from hands-on, reflective activities that combine literacy with environmental awareness. Whether you’re looking for low-prep, free activities or structured lessons that guide students step by step, these Earth Day Activities are perfect for your ELA classroom. We will discuss: 1. Using short stories for Earth Day 2. Poems for Earth Day 3. Poetry Writing for Earth Day 4. Found Poetry 5.  Nature Observation:  Writing with Sensory Images Let's connect!  Membership:  Join the All in One Middle School Membership! Full Year Curriculum on TPT Teaching Writing Workshop Course – Available on TPT Subscribe:  Get updates and free products when you subscribe Facebook Group:  Middle School Language Arts Teacher Instagram: @all.in.one.middle.school Info on products:  Follow me on TPT My website:  www.allinonemiddleschool.com My TPT Store:  All in One Middle School – TPT YouTube:  Teach My Class with All in One Middle School – free lessons and First Chapter Fridays Email:  [email protected] Helpful Links: Companion Blog Post Poetry products in my TPT store Earth Day Poetry Writing Free Poetry Analysis Activity Join the All in One Middle School Membership! One-on-One Coaching for Observations and Lessons  Teaching Writing Workshop Course Click here to join the Middle School Language Arts Facebook Group  

April is National Poetry Month, and it’s the perfect time to inspire middle school students to explore their creativity with words. If you’ve ever wondered how to write poetry in a way that’s fun, accessible, and engaging, these five activities are a great place to start. Each encourages self-expression, creativity, and a love for language, while giving teachers easy-to-use tools to guide students.  There are practical tips to get started, plus I’ve given you some resources from my TPT store as well as a free product if you want extra support. We will discuss: 1. "I Am" Poems 2. Color Poems 3. Acrostic Poems 4. List Poems 5. Shape/Concrete Poems Let's connect!  Membership:  Join the All in One Middle School Membership! Full Year Curriculum on TPT Teaching Writing Workshop Course – Available on TPT Subscribe:  Get updates and free products when you subscribe Facebook Group:  Middle School Language Arts Teacher Instagram: @all.in.one.middle.school Info on products:  Follow me on TPT My website:  www.allinonemiddleschool.com My TPT Store:  All in One Middle School – TPT YouTube:  Teach My Class with All in One Middle School – free lessons and First Chapter Fridays Email:  [email protected] Helpful Links: Companion Blog Post Poetry products in my TPT store Free poetry lessons on my YouTube channel Join the All in One Middle School Membership! One-on-One Coaching for Observations and Lessons  Teaching Writing Workshop Course Click here to join the Middle School Language Arts Facebook Group

Spring in middle school is a vibe. The energy shifts. The sun stays out longer. Students start thinking about summer. And while that excitement is fun, it also means we need engaging, purposeful spring classroom activities that keep learning on track.  Listen here for ideas on meaningful spring classroom activities for your middle school ELA classes. We will discuss: 1. Poetry  2. Seasonal Skill Review 3. Spring Writing Activities 4. Spring Choice Activities 5.  Spring-Themed Short Stories Let's connect!  Membership:  Join the All in One Middle School Membership! Full Year Curriculum on TPT Teaching Writing Workshop Course – Available on TPT Subscribe:  Get updates and free products when you subscribe Facebook Group:  Middle School Language Arts Teacher Instagram: @all.in.one.middle.school Info on products:  Follow me on TPT My website:  www.allinonemiddleschool.com My TPT Store:  All in One Middle School – TPT YouTube:  Teach My Class with All in One Middle School – free lessons and First Chapter Fridays Email:  [email protected] Helpful Links: Companion Blog Post Join the Membership  Complete Monthly Curriculum on TPT  Spring Classroom Activities for Middle School in my TPT store Free End of Year Guided Poetry One-on-One Coaching for Observations and Lessons  Teaching Writing Workshop Course Click here to join the Middle School Language Arts Facebook Group

Women's History Month is an important opportunity for middle school students to engage with stories that highlight women's voices, experiences, resilience, and contributions throughout history and today. The following Women's History Month books are meaningful, engaging, and well-suited for middle school readers. Each title encourages reflection, discussion, and deeper understanding — making them excellent choices for classroom or independent reading. We will discuss these books: Hidden Figures – Margot Lee Shetterly I Am Malala – Malala Yousafzai Flygirl – Sherri L. Smith The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate – Jacqueline Kelly A Light in the Storm: The Civil War Diary of Amelia Martin – Mary Jane Auch Let's connect!  Membership:  Join the All in One Middle School Membership! Full Year Curriculum on TPT Teaching Writing Workshop Course – Available on TPT Subscribe:  Get updates and free products when you subscribe Facebook Group:  Middle School Language Arts Teacher Instagram: @all.in.one.middle.school Info on products:  Follow me on TPT My website:  www.allinonemiddleschool.com My TPT Store:  All in One Middle School – TPT YouTube:  Teach My Class with All in One Middle School – free lessons and First Chapter Fridays Email:  [email protected] Helpful Links: Companion Blog Post Join the Membership Complete Monthly Curriculum on TPT Women’s History Products in my TPT Shop YouTube Channel – Free First Chapter Friday and ELA Lessons! Reading Mini Lessons Character Identity Mini Lesson Reading Centers Hexagonal Thinking for Any Novel Digital Notebook for Any Novel Teaching Writing Workshop Course Click here to join the Middle School Language Arts Facebook Group

Black History Month is an important opportunity for middle school students to engage with stories that highlight Black voices, experiences, resilience, and contributions throughout history and today. The following Black History Month books are meaningful, engaging, and well-suited for middle school readers. Each title encourages reflection, discussion, and deeper understanding — making them excellent choices for classroom or independent reading. We will discuss these books: 1.  Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson 2.  The Lions of Little Rock by Kristine Levine 3.  Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson 4. The Parker Inheritance – Varian Johnson 5. Out of My Mind – Sharon M. Draper Let's connect!  Membership:  Join the All in One Middle School Membership! Full Year Curriculum on TPT Teaching Writing Workshop Course – Available on TPT Subscribe:  Get updates and free products when you subscribe Facebook Group:  Middle School Language Arts Teacher Instagram: @all.in.one.middle.school Info on products:  Follow me on TPT My website:  www.allinonemiddleschool.com My TPT Store:  All in One Middle School – TPT YouTube:  Teach My Class with All in One Middle School – free lessons and First Chapter Fridays Email:  [email protected] Helpful Links: Companion Blog Post YouTube Channel – Free First Chapter Friday and ELA Lessons! Reading Mini Lessons Reading Centers Hexagonal Thinking for Any Novel Black History Month Products (TPT Store) Digital Notebook for Any Novel Teaching Writing Workshop Course Click here to join the Middle School Language Arts Facebook Group

Our middle schoolers love to celebrate special days such as Valentine’s Day, but they need activities appropriate for their age group. Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to celebrate kindness, creativity, and friendship in the classroom. Whether you’re looking for ways to engage your middle school students in a little extra fun or to integrate meaningful lessons about love and empathy, these five Valentine’s Day activities will spark excitement and encourage learning. We will discuss: 1. Kindness and Respect Activities 2. Reading Activities 3.  Writing Activities 4.  Vocabulary Activities 5. "Just for Fun" Activities Let's connect!  Membership:  Join the All in One Middle School Membership! Full Year Curriculum on TPT Teaching Writing Workshop Course – Available on TPT Subscribe:  Get updates and free products when you subscribe Facebook Group:  Middle School Language Arts Teacher Instagram: @all.in.one.middle.school Info on products:  Follow me on TPT My website:  www.allinonemiddleschool.com My TPT Store:  All in One Middle School – TPT YouTube:  Teach My Class with All in One Middle School – free lessons and First Chapter Fridays Email:  [email protected] Helpful Links: Companion Blog Post Join the All in One Middle School Membership! Valentine’s Day Activities in my TPT Store Free ELA Valentine’s Day Activities One-on-One Coaching for Observations and Lessons  Teaching Writing Workshop Course Click here to join the Middle School Language Arts Facebook Group

Looking for great winter books to share with your middle school students (or to read yourself) this season? Whether you’re cozying up by a fire or tracking themes of resilience and survival through the cold, these titles bring winter to life — from magical lands to challenging natural environments. Below are some winter-themed favorites that work well for classroom reading, discussion groups, and extended projects. We will discuss these novels:   1.  The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis 2. The Underdogs by Mike Lupica 3.  Hatchet by Gary Paulsen 4. The Winter Room by Gary Paulsen 5. The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder Let's connect!  Membership:  Join the All in One Middle School Membership! Full Year Curriculum on TPT Teaching Writing Workshop Course – Available on TPT Subscribe:  Get updates and free products when you subscribe Facebook Group:  Middle School Language Arts Teacher Instagram: @all.in.one.middle.school Info on products:  Follow me on TPT My website:  www.allinonemiddleschool.com My TPT Store:  All in One Middle School – TPT YouTube:  Teach My Class with All in One Middle School – free lessons and First Chapter Fridays Email:  [email protected] Helpful Links: Companion Blog Post Join the Membership YouTube Channel – Free First Chapter Friday and ELA Lessons! Reading Mini Lessons Reading Centers Hexagonal Thinking for Any Novel Digital Notebook for Any Novel Teaching Writing Workshop Course Click here to join the Middle School Language Arts Facebook Group

Coming back from winter break can feel a little chaotic — students are excited, routines feel rusty, and everyone needs time to ease back into learning. That’s why planning intentional New Year’s activities is so important for middle school teachers. Listen for a simple, teacher-friendly plan for New Year’s activities for middle school classrooms. These five New Year’s activities work especially well for middle school ELA teachers, but many can easily be adapted for social studies or advisory. Be sure to listen to the end for a free New Year's activity! We will discuss: 1. Your day back from winter break activity 2. Using short stories as great New Year's activities 3. Reflective journaling 4.  New Year's around the world 5.  Creative and collaborative activities Let's connect!  Membership:  Join the All in One Middle School Membership! Full Year Curriculum on TPT Teaching Writing Workshop Course – Available on TPT Subscribe:  Get updates and free products when you subscribe Facebook Group:  Middle School Language Arts Teacher Instagram: @all.in.one.middle.school Info on products:  Follow me on TPT My website:  www.allinonemiddleschool.com My TPT Store:  All in One Middle School – TPT YouTube:  Teach My Class with All in One Middle School – free lessons and First Chapter Fridays Email:  [email protected] Helpful Links: Companion Blog Post Join the All in One Middle School Membership! Free Winter Guided Poetry New Year’s Activities in my TPT Store One-on-One Coaching for Observations and Lessons  Teaching Writing Workshop Course Click here to join the Middle School Language Arts Facebook Group  

December is the perfect month to curl up with a good book. The shorter days, crisp air, and festive season set the scene for stories that are cozy, exciting, and full of holiday spirit. Whether your students or young readers enjoy adventures, humor, or tales inspired by cultural traditions, this list of December novels for middle school has something for everyone. Each one is a great pick for classroom discussion, book clubs, or just enjoying a quiet winter evening. We will discuss these novels:   1.  The Twelve Dares of Christa by Marissa Burt 2. Dreidels on the Brain by Joel Ben Izzy 3.  Bah! Humbug! by Michael Rosen 4. The Golden Dreidel by Ellen Kushner 5.  A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens Let's connect!  Membership:  Join the All in One Middle School Membership! Full Year Curriculum on TPT Teaching Writing Workshop Course – Available on TPT Subscribe:  Get updates and free products when you subscribe Facebook Group:  Middle School Language Arts Teacher Instagram: @all.in.one.middle.school Info on products:  Follow me on TPT My website:  www.allinonemiddleschool.com My TPT Store:  All in One Middle School – TPT YouTube:  Teach My Class with All in One Middle School – free lessons and First Chapter Fridays Email:  [email protected] Helpful Links: Companion Blog Post Join the Membership YouTube Channel – Free First Chapter Friday and ELA Lessons! Mini Lesson: Theme Reading Mini Lessons Reading Centers Hexagonal Thinking for Any Novel Digital Notebook for Any Novel Teaching Writing Workshop Course Click here to join the Middle School Language Arts Facebook Group

Teaching in December can feel like trying to herd middle schoolers through a snowstorm. Between early dismissals, holiday excitement, and students’ shorter attention spans, keeping your ELA classroom productive is a real challenge. But it doesn’t have to be stressful!  We will discuss 5 types of activities in this episode: 1.  ELA Games 2. Creating Gifts with Words 3. Fast- Finishers 4. Literacy-Based Celebrations 5. Creating Writing and Poetry Let's connect!  Membership:  Join the All in One Middle School Membership! Full Year Curriculum on TPT Teaching Writing Workshop Course – Available on TPT Subscribe:  Get updates and free products when you subscribe Facebook Group:  Middle School Language Arts Teacher Instagram: @all.in.one.middle.school Info on products:  Follow me on TPT My website:  www.allinonemiddleschool.com My TPT Store:  All in One Middle School – TPT YouTube:  Teach My Class with All in One Middle School – free lessons and First Chapter Fridays Email:  [email protected] Helpful Links: Companion Blog Post to this Episode Join the All in One Middle School Membership! All Winter Activities in my TPT Store One-on-One Coaching for Observations and Lessons  Teaching Writing Workshop Course Click here to join the Middle School Language Arts Facebook Group  

Middle school is a wonderful time for students to explore stories that expand their view of identity, heritage, and culture — while also enjoying strong characters, engaging plots, and thoughtful themes. These five Native American Heritage books do just that.  We will discuss these 5 Native American Heritage novels: Indian No More by Charlene Willing McManis and Traci Sorell Race to the Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse I Can Make This Promise by Christine Day Indian No More by James Bird Ancestor Approved: Intertribal Stories for Kids edited by Cynthia Leitich Smith Let's connect!  Membership:  Join the All in One Middle School Membership! Full Year Curriculum on TPT Teaching Writing Workshop Course – Available on TPT Subscribe:  Get updates and free products when you subscribe Facebook Group:  Middle School Language Arts Teacher Instagram: @all.in.one.middle.school Info on products:  Follow me on TPT My website:  www.allinonemiddleschool.com My TPT Store:  All in One Middle School – TPT YouTube:  Teach My Class with All in One Middle School – free lessons and First Chapter Fridays Email:  [email protected] Helpful Links Companion Blog Post for this Episode YouTube Channel – Free First Chapter Friday and ELA Lessons! Mini Lesson: Character Identity Reading Mini Lessons Reading Centers Hexagonal Thinking for Any Novel Digital Notebook for Any Novel Teaching Writing Workshop Course Click here to join the Middle School Language Arts Facebook Group

Bringing Native American activities into the classroom not only honors diverse voices but also helps students explore themes of identity, family, and connection to the natural world. Whether you’re teaching during Native American Heritage Month or weaving Indigenous texts into your curriculum all year long, these Native American activities will help your students engage with stories that are meaningful, relevant, and thought-provoking. We will discuss these Native American activities: A novel A short story A poem A research activity A creative writing prompt Let's connect!  Membership:  Join the All in One Middle School Membership! Full Year Curriculum on TPT Teaching Writing Workshop Course – Available on TPT Subscribe:  Get updates and free products when you subscribe Facebook Group:  Middle School Language Arts Teacher Instagram: @all.in.one.middle.school Info on products:  Follow me on TPT My website:  www.allinonemiddleschool.com My TPT Store:  All in One Middle School – TPT YouTube:  Teach My Class with All in One Middle School – free lessons and First Chapter Fridays Email:  [email protected] Helpful Links Companion Blog Post for this Episode Race to the Sun – Free First Chapter Friday on YouTube Native American Products on my TPT Store One-on-One Coaching for Observations and Lessons  Teaching Writing Workshop Course Click here to join the Middle School Language Arts Facebook Group

Halloween is the perfect time to get students excited about reading—stories with a little creep, mystery, and imagination are ideal for middle schoolers. Listen here for 5 Halloween books that strike just the right balance between spooky and engaging. We will discuss: 5 great "spooky" books Ideas for using them in the classroom Activities to go along with all of these books Let's connect! Membership:  Join the All in One Middle School Membership! Full Year Curriculum on TPT Teaching Writing Workshop Course - Available on TPT Subscribe:  Get updates and free products when you subscribe Facebook Group:  Middle School Language Arts Teacher Instagram: @all.in.one.middle.school Info on products:  Follow me on TPT My website:  www.allinonemiddleschool.com My TPT Store:  All in One Middle School - TPT YouTube:  Teach My Class with All in One Middle School - free lessons and First Chapter Fridays Email:  [email protected]  Links mentioned in this episode: Companion Blog Post Join the Membership YouTube Channel – Free First Chapter Friday and ELA Lessons! Mini Lesson: Conflict Reading Mini Lessons Centers: Conflict Reading Centers Hexagonal Thinking for Any Novel Digital Notebook for Any Novel Teaching Writing Workshop Course Click here to join the Middle School Language Arts Facebook Group

Autumn is the perfect season to bring fresh energy into your middle school ELA classroom. With cooler weather, colorful leaves, and plenty of seasonal inspiration, it’s an ideal time to spark creativity and keep students engaged in reading and writing.  In this post, we’ll explore five engaging autumn classroom activities for middle school ELA. Each activity is designed to be flexible, fun, and easy to adapt for your students, so you can bring the spirit of the season into your curriculum without adding extra stress to your planning. We will discuss: Games Creative Writing Short Stories Poetry Art/ELA Crossover Activities Let's connect!  Membership:  Join the All in One Middle School Membership! Full Year Curriculum on TPT Teaching Writing Workshop Course – Available on TPT Subscribe:  Get updates and free products when you subscribe Facebook Group:  Middle School Language Arts Teacher Instagram: @all.in.one.middle.school Info on products:  Follow me on TPT My website:  www.allinonemiddleschool.com My TPT Store:  All in One Middle School – TPT YouTube:  Teach My Class with All in One Middle School – free lessons and First Chapter Fridays Email:  [email protected] Helpful Links Companion Blog Post for this Episode Autumn Vocabulary Escape Room October Write Around the Room One-on-One Coaching for Observations and Lessons  Teaching Writing Workshop Course Click here to join the Middle School Language Arts Facebook Group  

September is the perfect time to refresh your classroom reading list, especially as we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Middle school students can gain empathy, cultural understanding, and inspiration through stories that reflect diverse experiences. In this episode, we will discuss 5 books that are perfect for September reading. There are ideas to go along with each novel, plus a link to my YouTube channel where I read these books as part of my "First Chapter Friday" series. The books included this month: Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros The Other Half of Happy by Rebecca Balcárcel The Circuit by Francisco Jiménez The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo Let's connect!  Membership:  Join the All in One Middle School Membership! Full Year Curriculum on TPT Teaching Writing Workshop Course - Available on TPT Subscribe:  Get updates and free products when you subscribe Facebook Group:  Middle School Language Arts Teacher Instagram: @all.in.one.middle.school Info on products:  Follow me on TPT My website:  www.allinonemiddleschool.com My TPT Store:  All in One Middle School - TPT YouTube:  Teach My Class with All in One Middle School - free lessons and First Chapter Fridays Email:  [email protected]  Links mentioned in this episode: Companion Blog Post to this Episode Join the Membership YouTube Channel – Free First Chapter Friday and ELA Lessons! Reading Mini Lessons Character Identity Mini Lesson Reading Centers Hexagonal Thinking for Any Novel Digital Notebook for Any Novel Teaching Writing Workshop Course Click here to join the Middle School Language Arts Facebook Group  

Join me for season 3! One podcast a month will focus on 5 activities that you can easily implement in your middle school classroom for this month/season. In this episode, we will discuss 5 engaging bell ringers for your students. We will discuss bell ringers for: Seasonal activities Vocabulary Grammar Poetry Reading Skills Let's connect!  Membership:  Join the All in One Middle School Membership! Full Year Curriculum on TPT Teaching Writing Workshop Course – Available on TPT Subscribe:  Get updates and free products when you subscribe Facebook Group:  Middle School Language Arts Teacher Instagram: @all.in.one.middle.school Info on products:  Follow me on TPT My website:  www.allinonemiddleschool.com My TPT Store:  All in One Middle School – TPT YouTube:  Teach My Class with All in One Middle School – free lessons and First Chapter Fridays Email:  [email protected] Helpful Links Companion Blog Post for this Episode Free Bell Ringer Ideas Seasonal Bell Ringers One-on-One Coaching for Observations and Lessons  Teaching Writing Workshop Course Click here to join the Middle School Language Arts Facebook Group

Join me for season 3! One podcast a month will focus on 5 books that are perfect for this month/season. In this episode, we will discuss 5 books that are perfect for the back-to-school season. There are ideas to go along with each novel, plus a link to my YouTube channel where I read these books as part of my "First Chapter Friday" series. The books included this month: The 6th Grade Nickname Game by Gordon Korman The New Kid by Jerry Craft Class Act by Jerry Craft Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbric  Let's connect! Membership:  Join the All in One Middle School Membership! Full Year Curriculum on TPT Teaching Writing Workshop Course - Available on TPT Subscribe:  Get updates and free products when you subscribe Facebook Group:  Middle School Language Arts Teacher Instagram: @all.in.one.middle.school Info on products:  Follow me on TPT My website:  www.allinonemiddleschool.com My TPT Store:  All in One Middle School - TPT YouTube:  Teach My Class with All in One Middle School - free lessons and First Chapter Fridays Email:  [email protected] Links mentioned in this episode:  Companion blog post for this episode Join the Membership YouTube Channel – Free First Chapter Friday and ELA Lessons! Mini Lesson: Point of View and Perspective Reading Mini Lessons Centers: Point of View and Perspective Reading Centers Hexagonal Thinking for Any Novel Digital Notebook for Any Novel Teaching Writing Workshop Course Click here to join the Middle School Language Arts Facebook Group  

Join me for season 3!  One podcast a month will focus on 5 activities that you can easily implement in your middle school classroom for this month/season.  In this episode, we will discuss 5 engaging activities to do on the first day of school. We will discuss: Icebreakers Meet the Teacher Read Alouds Letter to Your Future Self Classroom Scavenger Hunt   Let's connect! Membership:  Join the All in One Middle School Membership! Full Year Curriculum on TPT Teaching Writing Workshop Course - Available on TPT Subscribe:  Get updates and free products when you subscribe Facebook Group:  Middle School Language Arts Teacher Instagram: @all.in.one.middle.school Info on products:  Follow me on TPT My website:  www.allinonemiddleschool.com My TPT Store:  All in One Middle School - TPT YouTube:  Teach My Class with All in One Middle School - free lessons and First Chapter Fridays Email:  [email protected] Links mentioned in this episode:  Join the All in One Middle School Membership! Back to School Products Hexagonal Thinking Icebreaker Activity Back to School Activities: Meet Your Teacher I Scavenger Hunt Icebreaker Free Back to School Flip Book One-on-One Coaching for Observations and Lessons  Teaching Writing Workshop Course Click here to join the Middle School Language Arts Facebook Group

Join me in this year-long series on classroom management. Each month, we will look at tips and tricks for creating a better classroom management plan.  This is the tenth and final episode in the series, with a focus on adjusting expectations for the end of the year. It's the end of the year, and there is no type of busy like "teacher-busy" during this time. Your to-do lists both at work and home are a mile long, and it seems that tasks are added daily rather than getting completed. There are class parties, final projects, class trips, and oh...yes..final grading. I would venture to say that final grading at the end of the year is the most time-consuming and tedious of all of your tasks. Listen here for 5 tips to hack your final grading and reduce your stress.  We will discuss: Creating a list and calendar What NOT to grade Batch grading Creating rubrics and templates Creating a final grading "party" Let's connect! Membership:  Join the All in One Middle School Membership! Subscribe:  Get updates and free products when you subscribe Facebook Group:  Middle School Language Arts Teacher Instagram: @all.in.one.middle.school Info on products:  Follow me on TPT My website:  www.allinonemiddleschool.com My TPT Store:  All in One Middle School - TPT YouTube:  Teach My Class with All in One Middle School - free lessons and First Chapter Fridays Email:  [email protected] Links mentioned in this episode:  Join the Membership Link to Blog Post Companion Free End of Year Calendar Link to Preparing for the End of the Year Podcast Series My YouTube Channel – FREE lessons where I teach your class, plus First Chapter Fridays! One-on-One Coaching for Observations and Lessons  Teaching Writing Workshop Course Click here to join the Middle School Language Arts Facebook Group

It’s April, and for ELA teachers, that means National Poetry Month! Poetry is the subject that kids think they hate…until they have a skilled teacher who brings passion and creativity to the unit. Listen here for 5 powerful poetry activities to do with your middle schoolers for National Poetry Month. We will discuss: "Black Out" or "Found" Poetry Poetry Brackets Competition Poetry Escape Rooms Novels in Verse Poetry Slams Free Resources for Teaching Poetry Let's connect! Membership:  Join the All in One Middle School Membership! Subscribe:  Get updates and free products when you subscribe Facebook Group:  Middle School Language Arts Teacher Instagram: @all.in.one.middle.school Info on products:  Follow me on TPT My website:  www.allinonemiddleschool.com My TPT Store:  All in One Middle School - TPT YouTube:  Teach My Class with All in One Middle School - free lessons and First Chapter Fridays Email:  [email protected] Links mentioned in this episode:  Join the Membership Companion blog on this topic Link to Preparing for the End of the Year Podcast Series Out of the Dust Month-Long Unit Join the All in One Middle School Membership! Poetry Activities for Middle School Free Poetry Writing Activity Free Video Lesson: Poetic Devices Free Video Lessons for Writing Original Poems One-on-One Coaching for Observations and Lessons  Teaching Writing Workshop Course Click here to join the Middle School Language Arts Facebook Group

Join me in this year-long series on classroom management. Each month, we will look at tips and tricks for creating a better classroom management plan.  This is the ninth in the series, with a focus on adjusting expectations for the end of the year.The end of the year is upon us, and it's time to get prepared. If you've been a teacher for at least one year, you know that the end of the year is not for the weak of heart. You'll need to manage state testing, final projects, field days, class trips, grading, and general chaos. Now is the time to prepare and adjust your expectations. Listen here for five helpful ways to adjust your expectations (and help save your sanity) in your middle school classroom. We will discuss: Due dates Larger projects Reinforcing policies on tardiness/preparedness for class Reinforcing behavior expectations Incentives Let's connect! Membership:  Join the All in One Middle School Membership! Subscribe:  Get updates and free products when you subscribe Facebook Group:  Middle School Language Arts Teacher Instagram: @all.in.one.middle.school Info on products:  Follow me on TPT My website:  www.allinonemiddleschool.com My TPT Store:  All in One Middle School - TPT YouTube:  Teach My Class with All in One Middle School - free lessons and First Chapter Fridays Email:  [email protected] Links mentioned in this episode:  Join the Membership Link to Blog Post Companion Bell Ringers Free Bell Ringers for ELA My YouTube Channel – FREE lessons where I teach your class, plus First Chapter Fridays! One-on-One Coaching for Observations and Lessons  Teaching Writing Workshop Course Click here to join the Middle School Language Arts Facebook Group

If you are struggling with how to plan your year or just need some fresh ideas, then you are in the right place! Join me for a 10-month mini-series on creating an ELA curriculum map for your middle school classes. This month, we will focus on creating a novel study. We will discuss: Why novel studies are important What type of novels work well How to select your lessons How to incorporate vocabulary into your novel study What kinds of activities and assessments work well   Let's connect! Membership:  Join the All in One Middle School Membership! Subscribe:  Get updates and free products when you subscribe Facebook Group:  Middle School Language Arts Teacher Instagram: @all.in.one.middle.school Info on products:  Follow me on TPT My website:  www.allinonemiddleschool.com My TPT Store:  All in One Middle School - TPT YouTube:  Teach My Class with All in One Middle School - free lessons and First Chapter Fridays Email:  [email protected] Links mentioned in this episode:  Join the Membership Companion blog on this topic Out of the Dust Month-Long Unit Mini Lessons in TPT One-Pagers for Any Novel Study Blog Post for Creating Literature Circles FREE Starting Book Clubs Mini Lesson (with reading plan) Vocabulary Choice Board Literacy Centers Reading Notebook Printables for Any Novel Free Literature Circles Discussion Questions Free YouTube Reading Mini-Lessons One-on-One Coaching for Observations and Lessons  Teaching Writing Workshop Course Click here to join the Middle School Language Arts Facebook Group

Join me in this year-long series on classroom management. Each month, we will look at tips and tricks for creating a better classroom management plan.  This is the eighth in the series, with a focus on classroom updates. It's the middle of the year and the honeymoon is long over. The routine feels, well, routine. Kids are getting antsy, and your classroom is looking like it has seen better days. A few classroom updates can make a big difference in keeping students engaged and your space running smoothly. Whether you're looking to declutter, rearrange, or add fresh decor, a mid-year reset can boost both productivity and morale. We will discuss: Seating Partners Bulletin boards Overall classroom layout New systems Let's connect! Membership:  Join the All in One Middle School Membership! Subscribe:  Get updates and free products when you subscribe Facebook Group:  Middle School Language Arts Teacher Instagram: @all.in.one.middle.school Info on products:  Follow me on TPT My website:  www.allinonemiddleschool.com My TPT Store:  All in One Middle School - TPT YouTube:  Teach My Class with All in One Middle School - free lessons and First Chapter Fridays Email:  [email protected] Links mentioned in this episode:  Join the Membership Link to Blog Post Companion FREE Essay Bulletin Board Reading Bulletin Board Choice Boards Class Decor Bell Ringers Free Bell Ringers for ELA My YouTube Channel – FREE lessons where I teach your class, plus First Chapter Fridays! One-on-One Coaching for Observations and Lessons  Teaching Writing Workshop Course Click here to join the Middle School Language Arts Facebook Group

If you are struggling with how to plan your year or just need some fresh ideas, then you are in the right place! Join me for a 10-month mini-series on creating an ELA curriculum map for your middle school classes. This month, we will focus on a social issues reading unit that incorporates literacy circles.We will discuss: How to get prepared for a month-long unit on a social issues reading unit Literacy circles A step-by-step plan that includes mini-lessons, note-taking, mentor texts, and more! Let's connect! Membership:  Join the All in One Middle School Membership! Subscribe:  Get updates and free products when you subscribe Facebook Group:  Middle School Language Arts Teacher Instagram: @all.in.one.middle.school Info on products:  Follow me on TPT My website:  www.allinonemiddleschool.com My TPT Store:  All in One Middle School - TPT YouTube:  Teach My Class with All in One Middle School - free lessons and First Chapter Fridays Email:  [email protected] Links mentioned in this episode:  Join the Membership Companion blog on this topic Social Issues Full-Month Reading Unit Getting Started with Literature Circles – Free lesson Mini Lessons in TPT Literacy Centers Free Literature Circles Discussion Questions My YouTube Channel – FREE lessons where I teach your class, plus First Chapter Fridays! Free First Chapter Friday Recording Sheet One-on-One Coaching for Observations and Lessons  Teaching Writing Workshop Course Click here to join the Middle School Language Arts Facebook Group

Join me in this year-long series on classroom management. Each month, we will look at tips and tricks for creating a better classroom management plan.  This is the seventh in the series, with a focus on motivating students.It’s the middle of the year and motivating students is tough.  You are probably noticing that many are not turning in their best work and that their overall habits are slacking.  Listen here for tips on motivating your middle school students.We will discuss: Holding mini-conferences with students to get them on track Going over (and updating) your expectations clearly How to "shake it up" - make some fun changes to the daily "grind" Offering more student choice Let's connect! Membership:  Join the All in One Middle School Membership! Subscribe:  Get updates and free products when you subscribe Facebook Group:  Middle School Language Arts Teacher Instagram: @all.in.one.middle.school Info on products:  Follow me on TPT My website:  www.allinonemiddleschool.com My TPT Store:  All in One Middle School - TPT YouTube:  Teach My Class with All in One Middle School - free lessons and First Chapter Fridays Email:  [email protected] Links mentioned in this episode:  Join the Membership Companion Blog Post FREE Setting Expectations Slideshow Grammar Escape Room Black History Month Poetry Escape Room My YouTube Channel – FREE lessons where I teach your class, plus First Chapter Fridays! One-on-One Coaching for Observations and Lessons  Teaching Writing Workshop Course Click here to join the Middle School Language Arts Facebook Group

If you are struggling with how to plan your year or just need some fresh ideas, then you are in the right place! Join me for a 10-month mini-series on creating an ELA curriculum map for your middle school classes. This month, we will focus on opinion writing. We will discuss: Why kids need a solid unit on opinion writing A step-by-step plan that includes pre-assessment, selecting topics, mini-lessons, mentor texts, and more! Let's connect! Membership:  Join the All in One Middle School Membership! Subscribe:  Get updates and free products when you subscribe Facebook Group:  Middle School Language Arts Teacher Instagram: @all.in.one.middle.school Info on products:  Follow me on TPT My website:  www.allinonemiddleschool.com My TPT Store:  All in One Middle School - TPT YouTube:  Teach My Class with All in One Middle School - free lessons and First Chapter Fridays Email:  [email protected] Links mentioned in this episode:  Join the Membership Companion blog on this topic Opinion Writing Unit Essay Writing Centers Essay Video Lessons My YouTube Channel – FREE lessons where I teach your class, plus First Chapter Fridays! Free First Chapter Friday Recording Sheet One-on-One Coaching for Observations and Lessons  Teaching Writing Workshop Course Click here to join the Middle School Language Arts Facebook Group

Join me in this year-long series on classroom management. Each month, we will look at tips and tricks for creating a better classroom management plan.  This is the sixth in the series, with a focus on interventions for struggling students.You’ll experience many types of learners throughout your teaching career. Although some students seem to always need extra assistance, all students sometimes have difficulties. It is up to us to have a plan to deal effectively with this as it is one of the most important parts of being an educator. Listen here for tips on interventions for struggling students.We will discuss: Groupings Targeted interventions Actionable goals Getting families on board Peer assistance Let's connect! Membership:  Join the All in One Middle School Membership! Subscribe:  Get updates and free products when you subscribe Facebook Group:  Middle School Language Arts Teacher Instagram: @all.in.one.middle.school Info on products:  Follow me on TPT My website:  www.allinonemiddleschool.com My TPT Store:  All in One Middle School - TPT YouTube:  Teach My Class with All in One Middle School - free lessons and First Chapter Fridays Email:  [email protected] Links mentioned in this episode:  Join the Membership My YouTube Channel – FREE lessons where I teach your class, plus First Chapter Fridays! One-on-One Coaching for Observations and Lessons  Teaching Writing Workshop Course Click here to join the Middle School Language Arts Facebook Group

It's the middle of the school year and we are continuing with curriculum mapping!  If you need some help or fresh ideas, then you are in the right place! Join me for a 10-month mini-series on creating a curriculum map for your middle school ELA classes.  This month:  Informational Text We will discuss: How to get prepared for a month-long unit on informational text A step-by-step plan that includes mini-lessons, note-taking, mentor texts, and more! Let's connect! Membership:  Join the All in One Middle School Membership! Subscribe:  Get updates and free products when you subscribe Facebook Group:  Middle School Language Arts Teacher Instagram: @all.in.one.middle.school Info on products:  Follow me on TPT My website:  www.allinonemiddleschool.com My TPT Store:  All in One Middle School - TPT YouTube:  Teach My Class with All in One Middle School - free lessons and First Chapter Fridays Email:  [email protected] Links mentioned in this episode:  Join the Membership Informational Text Full Month-Long Unit Blog post on this topic Create and Implement Reading Mini-Lessons Blog Post "It Says/I Say" Free Resource My YouTube Channel – FREE lessons where I teach your class, plus First Chapter Fridays! Free First Chapter Friday Recording Sheet One-on-One Coaching for Observations and Lessons  Teaching Writing Workshop Course Click here to join the Middle School Language Arts Facebook Group

Join me in this year-long series on classroom management. Each month, we will look at tips and tricks for creating a better classroom management plan.  This is the fifth in the series, with a focus on constant tardiness and absenteeism.You know how it is. You plan your lessons. You get to school early so that you are prepared for the day. You grade on the weekend to be sure you can give effective and timely feedback. And then…kids are constantly late and absent, undoing everything you tried to accomplish. Listen here for tips on how to handle constant tardiness and absenteeism.We will discuss: Getting parents on board Having a classroom system for absent students Clear consequences for being late Help from Admin Teacher/student meetings Let's connect! Membership:  Join the All in One Middle School Membership! Subscribe:  Get updates and free products when you subscribe Facebook Group:  Middle School Language Arts Teacher Instagram: @all.in.one.middle.school Info on products:  Follow me on TPT My website:  www.allinonemiddleschool.com My TPT Store:  All in One Middle School - TPT YouTube:  Teach My Class with All in One Middle School - free lessons and First Chapter Fridays Email:  [email protected] Links mentioned in this episode:  Join the Membership FREE Seasonal Daily Agenda My YouTube Channel – FREE lessons where I teach your class, plus First Chapter Fridays! One-on-One Coaching for Observations and Lessons  Teaching Writing Workshop Course Click here to join the Middle School Language Arts Facebook Group

The school year is under way and it's time for curriculum mapping!  If you need some help or fresh ideas, then you are in the right place! Join me for a 10-month mini-series on creating a curriculum map for your middle school ELA classes.  We will discuss: How to get prepared for month 5 A step-by-step plan for your students to write a literary essay on theme Let's connect! Membership:  Join the All in One Middle School Membership! Subscribe:  Get updates and free products when you subscribe Facebook Group:  Middle School Language Arts Teacher Instagram: @all.in.one.middle.school Info on products:  Follow me on TPT My website:  www.allinonemiddleschool.com My TPT Store:  All in One Middle School - TPT YouTube:  Teach My Class with All in One Middle School - free lessons and First Chapter Fridays Email:  [email protected] Links mentioned in this episode:  Join the Membership Companion Blog Post for this Podcast Blog Post Month 4: Historical Fiction Reading Blog Post: Easy Tips to Teach Theme in Literature Theme Video Lesson (free on YouTube) Theme Centers FREE Theme Statements Essay Writing Centers Essay Video Lessons Essay Video Lessons with Guided Notes My YouTube Channel – FREE lessons where I teach your class, plus First Chapter Fridays! Free First Chapter Friday Recording Sheet One-on-One Coaching for Observations and Lessons  Teaching Writing Workshop Course Click here to join the Middle School Language Arts Facebook Group

Join me in this year-long series on classroom management. Each month, we will look at tips and tricks for creating a better classroom management plan.  This is the fourth in the series, with a focus on parent-teacher communication.Parent-teacher communication is so much more than newsletters and report cards. Having good classroom management, is, believe it or not, dependent upon how the parents and guardians buy into what you are doing in class. Listen here for tips and tricks to improve parent-teacher communication in your middle school class.We will discuss: Formal and informal communication Action plans for conferences Preventing bigger issues with some proactive steps Compliment cards Let's connect! Membership:  Join the All in One Middle School Membership! Subscribe:  Get updates and free products when you subscribe Facebook Group:  Middle School Language Arts Teacher Instagram: @all.in.one.middle.school Info on products:  Follow me on TPT My website:  www.allinonemiddleschool.com My TPT Store:  All in One Middle School - TPT YouTube:  Teach My Class with All in One Middle School - free lessons and First Chapter Fridays Email:  [email protected] Links mentioned in this episode:  Join the Membership FREE Parent-Teacher Action Plan for Conferences My YouTube Channel – FREE lessons where I teach your class, plus First Chapter Fridays! One-on-One Coaching for Observations and Lessons  Teaching Writing Workshop Course Click here to join the Middle School Language Arts Facebook Group

The school year is under way and it's time for curriculum mapping!  If you need some help or fresh ideas, then you are in the right place! Join me for a 10-month mini-series on creating a curriculum map for your middle school ELA classes.  We will discuss: How to get prepared for month 4 Everything you need for a successful historical fiction unit Let's connect! Membership:  Join the All in One Middle School Membership! Subscribe:  Get updates and free products when you subscribe Facebook Group:  Middle School Language Arts Teacher Instagram: @all.in.one.middle.school Info on products:  Follow me on TPT My website:  www.allinonemiddleschool.com My TPT Store:  All in One Middle School - TPT YouTube:  Teach My Class with All in One Middle School - free lessons and First Chapter Fridays Email:  [email protected] Links mentioned in this episode:  Join the Membership Companion Blog Post for this Podcast Historical Fiction Complete Unit Getting Started with Literature Circles - Free lesson Mini Lessons in TPT Literacy Centers Free Literature Circles Discussion Questions Blog Post Ten Amazing Historical Fiction Books for Middle School My YouTube Channel – FREE lessons where I teach your class, plus First Chapter Fridays! Free First Chapter Friday Recording Sheet One-on-One Coaching for Observations and Lessons  Teaching Writing Workshop Course Click here to join the Middle School Language Arts Facebook Group

Join me in this year-long series on classroom management. Each month, we will look at tips and tricks for creating a better classroom management plan.  This is the third in the series, with a focus on class participation. As a teacher of over thirty years, I’ve mentored many new teachers both officially and unofficially. By far, the biggest question and concern I’ve heard is getting a better handle on classroom management. This is a huge topic and has many components such as managing student behavior, what to do when students are late/absent, and handling difficult parents.  This month, we will focus on class participation. We will discuss: Different ways to get kids to participate How to set up your paraments for class participation Practical ideas to get kids talking (or stop talking) Let's connect! Membership:  Join the All in One Middle School Membership! Subscribe:  Get updates and free products when you subscribe Facebook Group:  Middle School Language Arts Teacher Instagram: @all.in.one.middle.school Info on products:  Follow me on TPT My website:  www.allinonemiddleschool.com My TPT Store:  All in One Middle School - TPT YouTube:  Teach My Class with All in One Middle School - free lessons and First Chapter Fridays Email:  [email protected] Links mentioned in this episode:  Join the Membership Blog Post on this Episode Free Bloom's Taxonomy Cheat Sheet Literacy Circles Discussion Questions  My YouTube Channel – FREE lessons where I teach your class, plus First Chapter Fridays! One-on-One Coaching for Observations and Lessons  Teaching Writing Workshop Course Click here to join the Middle School Language Arts Facebook Group

The school year is under way and it's time for curriculum mapping!  If you need some help or fresh ideas, then you are in the right place! Join me for a 10-month mini-series on creating a curriculum map for your middle school ELA classes.  We will discuss:  Independent Reading Planning and teaching a literary analysis essay Let's connect! Membership:  Join the All in One Middle School Membership! Subscribe:  Get updates and free products when you subscribe Facebook Group:  Middle School Language Arts Teacher Instagram: @all.in.one.middle.school Info on products:  Follow me on TPT My website:  www.allinonemiddleschool.com My TPT Store:  All in One Middle School - TPT YouTube:  Teach My Class with All in One Middle School - free lessons and First Chapter Fridays Email:  [email protected] Links mentioned in this episode:  Join the Membership Interactive Reading Bulletin Board Literary Analysis Essay: Month-Long Unit Essay Writing Centers Essay Video Lessons My YouTube Channel – FREE lessons where I teach your class, plus First Chapter Fridays! Free First Chapter Friday Recording Sheet One-on-One Coaching for Observations and Lessons  Teaching Writing Workshop Course Click here to join the Middle School Language Arts Facebook Group

Join me in this year-long series on classroom management. Each month, we will look at tips and tricks for creating a better classroom management plan.  This is the second in the series. As a teacher of over thirty years, I’ve mentored many new teachers both officially and unofficially. By far, the biggest question and concern I’ve heard is getting a better handle on classroom management. This is a huge topic and has many components such as managing student behavior, what to do when students are late/absent, and handling difficult parents.  We will discuss: Classwork Homework Consequences Teaching Expectations/Consequences Let's connect! Membership:  Join the All in One Middle School Membership! Subscribe:  Get updates and free products when you subscribe Facebook Group:  Middle School Language Arts Teacher Instagram: @all.in.one.middle.school Info on products:  Follow me on TPT My website:  www.allinonemiddleschool.com My TPT Store:  All in One Middle School - TPT YouTube:  Teach My Class with All in One Middle School - free lessons and First Chapter Fridays Email:  [email protected] Links mentioned in this episode:  Join the Membership Blog Post on this Episode Free Setting Expectations Slideshow My YouTube Channel – FREE lessons where I teach your class, plus First Chapter Fridays! One-on-One Coaching for Observations and Lessons  Teaching Writing Workshop Course Click here to join the Middle School Language Arts Facebook Group

If you are struggling with how to plan your year or just need some fresh ideas, then you are in the right place! Join me for a 10-month mini-series on creating a curriculum map for your middle school ELA classes.We will discuss:  Integrating Grammar Integrating Vocabulary Main Unit - Character Analysis Starting First Chapter Fridays Let's connect! Membership:  Join the All in One Middle School Membership! Subscribe:  Get updates and free products when you subscribe Facebook Group:  Middle School Language Arts Teacher Instagram: @all.in.one.middle.school Info on products:  Follow me on TPT My website:  www.allinonemiddleschool.com My TPT Store:  All in One Middle School - TPT YouTube:  Teach My Class with All in One Middle School - free lessons and First Chapter Fridays Email:  [email protected] Links mentioned in this episode:  Join the All in One Middle School Membership! Blog post on this topic for easy reference Vocabulary Choice Board Grammar Choice Board Grammar Choice Board – free sample Grammar Full-Year Program Character Analysis Full Unit Character Analysis Video Lesson CharacterAnalysis Centers Getting Started with Literature Circles – Free lesson My YouTube Channel – FREE lessons where I teach your class, plus First Chapter Fridays! Free First Chapter Friday Recording Sheet One-on-One Coaching for Observations and Lessons  Teaching Writing Workshop Course

Join me in this year-long series on classroom management. Each month, we will look at tips and tricks for creating a better classroom management plan.  This is the first of the series. As a teacher of over thirty years, I’ve mentored many new teachers both officially and unofficially. By far, the biggest question and concern I’ve heard is getting a better handle on classroom management. This is a huge topic and has many components such as managing student behavior, what to do when students are late/absent, and handling difficult parents.  We will discuss: Getting started with your classroom management plan Classroom set up Setting expectations Getting parents onboard Creating systems Let's connect! Membership:  Join the All in One Middle School Membership! Subscribe:  Get updates and free products when you subscribe Facebook Group:  Middle School Language Arts Teacher Instagram: @all.in.one.middle.school Info on products:  Follow me on TPT My website:  www.allinonemiddleschool.com My TPT Store:  All in One Middle School - TPT YouTube:  Teach My Class with All in One Middle School - free lessons and First Chapter Fridays Email:  [email protected] Links mentioned in this episode:  Join the All in One Middle School Membership! Blog post on this topic for easy reference Free Setting Expectations Slideshow My YouTube Channel – FREE lessons where I teach your class, plus First Chapter Fridays One-on-One Coaching for Observations and Lessons  Teaching Writing Workshop Course

If you are struggling with how to plan your year or just need some fresh ideas, then you are in the right place! Join me for a 10-month mini-series on creating a curriculum map for your middle school ELA classes.We will discuss:  Getting Started - Back to School Main Unit - Personal Narrative Starting First Chapter Fridays Let's connect! Membership:  Join the All in One Middle School Membership! Subscribe:  Get updates and free products when you subscribe Facebook Group:  Middle School Language Arts Teacher Instagram: @all.in.one.middle.school Info on products:  Follow me on TPT My website:  www.allinonemiddleschool.com My TPT Store:  All in One Middle School - TPT YouTube:  Teach My Class with All in One Middle School - free lessons and First Chapter Fridays Email:  [email protected] Links mentioned in this episode:  Join the All in One Middle School Membership! Blog post on this topic for easy reference Getting to Know You Color by Code Free Setting Expectations Slideshow Free Back to School Flip Book Plot Structure Video Lesson Personal Narrative Full Unit Narrative Writing Centers My YouTube Channel – FREE lessons where I teach your class, plus First Chapter Fridays One-on-One Coaching for Observations and Lessons  Teaching Writing Workshop Course

The end of year countdown is on! You feel like you should be winding down, but as every educator knows, this is crunch time. You are working harder than ever, yet your list keeps getting longer and longer. How to handle it? Read here for your end of year countdown with 1 week left of school. We will discuss:  Finishing grading Getting your room in order End of year activities Your day 1 activities for back to school Let's connect! Subscribe:  Get updates and free products when you subscribe Facebook Group:  Middle School Language Arts Teacher Instagram: @all.in.one.middle.school Info on products:  Follow me on TPT My website:  www.allinonemiddleschool.com My TPT Store:  All in One Middle School - TPT YouTube:  Teach My Class with All in One Middle School - free lessons and First Chapter Fridays Email:  [email protected] Links mentioned in this episode:  Join the All in One Middle School Membership! Collaborative End of Year Coloring Poster Color by Code Reflection End of Year Choice Board - Thumbs Up to a Great Year Back to School Collaborative Poster Color Code Getting to Know You First Day Stations Getting to Know You Printables Full list of end-of-year products My YouTube Channel – FREE lessons where I teach your class, plus First Chapter Fridays! One-on-One Coaching for Observations and Lessons  Teaching Writing Workshop Course Click here to join the Middle School Language Arts Facebook Group  

It’s the end of the school year, and you are feeling frazzled. You are trying to get things done on your end-of-the-year teacher checklist, but it somehow just keeps getting longer and longer. The answer? A solid plan where you map out your end-of-the-year teacher checklist a month before school ends. Read here for your plan with 2 weeks left of school.We will discuss: Starting (or continuing) the grading process Missing work checklist Next year's bulletin board (it's easy...I promise!) Gifts and thank you notes Let's connect! Subscribe:  Get updates and free products when you subscribe Facebook Group:  Middle School Language Arts Teacher Instagram: @all.in.one.middle.school Info on products:  Follow me on TPT My website:  www.allinonemiddleschool.com My TPT Store:  All in One Middle School - TPT YouTube:  Teach My Class with All in One Middle School - free lessons and First Chapter Fridays Email:  [email protected] Links mentioned in this episode: Join the All in One Middle School Membership! Free planning calendar Collaborative End-of-Year Coloring Poster Full list of end-of-year products My YouTube Channel – FREE lessons where I teach your class, plus First Chapter Fridays! One-on-One Coaching for Observations and Lessons  Teaching Writing Workshop Course Click here to join the Middle School Language Arts Facebook Group

It’s the end of the school year, and teachers everywhere are feeling the pressure. You are tending to your end-of-year teacher checklist, but it seems to be growing rather than shrinking. The answer? A solid plan where you map out your end-of-year teacher tasks a month before school ends. Read here for your plan with 3 weeks left of school. We will discuss: Re-assessing your end-of-year calendar Starting report card comments Planning for end-of-year celebrations Getting final assessments in order Let's connect! Subscribe:  Get updates and free products when you subscribe Facebook Group:  Middle School Language Arts Teacher Instagram: @all.in.one.middle.school Info on products:  Follow me on TPT My website:  www.allinonemiddleschool.com My TPT Store:  All in One Middle School - TPT YouTube:  Teach My Class with All in One Middle School - free lessons and First Chapter Fridays Email:  [email protected] Links mentioned in this episode: Join the All in One Middle School Membership! Free planning calendar Full list of end-of-year products Poetry Share Language Arts Game Show My YouTube Channel – FREE lessons where I teach your class, plus First Chapter Fridays! One-on-One Coaching for Observations and Lessons  Teaching Writing Workshop Course Click here to join the Middle School Language Arts Facebook Group

It’s the end of the school year, and teachers everywhere are feeling the pressure. You are tending to your “to-do” list, but it seems to get exponentially bigger even while you are working hard. The answer? A solid plan where you map out your end-of-year teacher tasks a month before school ends. Listen here for your plan with 4 weeks left of school.We will discuss: Creating a calendar Planning your grading checklist Talking to students who need improvement Listing classroom areas to clean and organize Planning for independent student work time Let's connect! Subscribe:  Get updates and free products when you subscribe Facebook Group:  Middle School Language Arts Teacher Instagram: @all.in.one.middle.school Info on products:  Follow me on TPT My website:  www.allinonemiddleschool.com My TPT Store:  All in One Middle School - TPT YouTube:  Teach My Class with All in One Middle School - free lessons and First Chapter Fridays Email:  [email protected] Links mentioned in this episode: Join the All in One Middle School Membership! Free planning calendar Full list of end-of-year products Blog post on this topic  My YouTube Channel – FREE lessons where I teach your class, plus First Chapter Fridays! First Days of School Stations Getting to Know You Color by Code One-on-One Coaching for Observations and Lessons  Teaching Writing Workshop Course

 April is National Poetry Month, but it doesn't have to be April to introduce your students to novels in verse. Novels in verse appeal to students because they tend to move quickly and are told in rhythmic, interesting ways. Introducing your students to quality novels in this genre is a great addition to your poetry unit, and in my opinion, a great end-of-year reading unit. We will discuss: The definition of a novel in verse 5 novels in verse that are perfect for your middle school classes What makes them special and their poetic devices Ideas for how to use in your classroom Let's connect! Subscribe:  Get updates and free products when you subscribe Facebook Group:  Middle School Language Arts Teacher Instagram: @all.in.one.middle.school Info on products:  Follow me on TPT My website:  www.allinonemiddleschool.com My TPT Store:  All in One Middle School - TPT YouTube:  Teach My Class with All in One Middle School - free lessons and First Chapter Fridays Email:  [email protected] Links mentioned in this episode: Join the All in One Middle School Membership! Out of the Dust Complete Unit Out of the Dust - Free First Chapter Friday The One and Only Ivan - Free First Chapter Friday Free Poetry Analysis Sheet Free Poetry Discussion Questions Poetry Activities for Middle School One-on-One Coaching for Observations and Lessons  Teaching Writing Workshop Course Click here to join the Middle School Language Arts Facebook Group

If you teach poetry in your middle school ELA class, you know it can be a struggle. Kids often go into your poetry lessons with the attitude that poems are not interesting, they are hard to write, and that it’s too difficult to understand poems.  It's therefore imperative to begin with poems that are engaging and will hook them right away.  I have 10 great suggestions for you in this podcast.We will discuss: General tips for using songs for poetry analysis 10 motivating poems to use in your middle school classes, with poets from Kobe Bryant to Charles Bukowski A list of poetic devices used in each poem Ideas for activities for each poem Let's connect! Subscribe:  Get updates and free products when you subscribe Facebook Group:  Middle School Language Arts Teacher Instagram: @all.in.one.middle.school Info on products:  Follow me on TPT My website:  www.allinonemiddleschool.com My TPT Store:  All in One Middle School - TPT YouTube:  Teach My Class with All in One Middle School - free lessons and First Chapter Fridays Email:  [email protected] Links mentioned in this episode: Join the All in One Middle School Membership! Poetry Activities for Middle School Blog post companion for this episode Free Poetry Analysis Sheet Free Poetry Discussion Questions One-on-One Coaching for Observations and Lessons  Teaching Writing Workshop Course Click here to join the Middle School Language Arts Facebook Group

If you teach poetry in your middle school ELA class, you know it can be a struggle. Kids often go into your poetry lessons with the attitude that poems are not interesting, they are hard to write, and that it’s too difficult to understand poems. The answer? Start with songs for poetry analysis. Since I’ve never met a middle schooler who hasn’t obsessed over music, this is the easiest way to hook your kids and teach them some important poetic devices.We will discuss: General tips for using songs for poetry analysis 10 familiar and motivating songs to use in your middle school classes A list of poetic devices that each song uses Ideas for activities for each song  Let's connect! Subscribe:  Get updates and free products when you subscribe Facebook Group:  Middle School Language Arts Teacher Instagram: @all.in.one.middle.school Info on products:  Follow me on TPT My website:  www.allinonemiddleschool.com My TPT Store:  All in One Middle School - TPT Email:  [email protected] Links mentioned in this episode: Join the All in One Middle School Membership! Poetry Activities for Middle School “Poetry Analysis for Middle School in 4 Easy Steps” Free Poetry Analysis Sheet Free Poetry Discussion Questions My YouTube Channel – FREE lessons where I teach your class, plus First Chapter Fridays! One-on-One Coaching for Observations and Lessons  Teaching Writing Workshop Course Click here to join the Middle School Language Arts Facebook Group

I might be in the minority, but I absolutely love teaching poetry. I especially love having kids write poems because I get to know my students on a deeper and more meaningful level. One of the steps to becoming a good poet is to be a good reader of poetry. However, many middle school kids don’t know where to start. Therefore, you need a good plan of action for poetry analysis. The key? Keep it simple. Read here for tips for poetry analysis in 4 easy steps.We will discuss: Starting with songs Starting with small steps Poetry Analysis sheet to streamline the process Discussion Let's connect! Subscribe:  Get updates and free products when you subscribe Facebook Group:  Middle School Language Arts Teacher Instagram: @all.in.one.middle.school Info on products:  Follow me on TPT My website:  www.allinonemiddleschool.com My TPT Store:  All in One Middle School - TPT Email:  [email protected] Links mentioned in this episode: Join the All in One Middle School Membership! Poetry Activities for Middle School Free Poetry Analysis Sheet Free Poetry Discussion Questions My YouTube Channel – FREE lessons where I teach your class, plus First Chapter Fridays! One-on-One Coaching for Observations and Lessons  Teaching Writing Workshop Course Click here to join the Middle School Language Arts Facebook Group    

Teaching poetry...we either love it or hate it. I'm in the "love" category. Why? Poems are simply songs without the music...and middle schoolers love music. Once they understand that, and once we simplify the poetry writing process, they usually are in the "love" category as well. One way to simplify the process is by giving kids specific types of poems to write.We will discuss how to write: Found Poems Calligrams Mask Poems Inanimate Object Poems Color Poems Let's connect! Subscribe:  Get updates and free products when you subscribe Facebook Group:  Middle School Language Arts Teacher Instagram: @all.in.one.middle.school Info on products:  Follow me on TPT My website:  www.allinonemiddleschool.com My TPT Store:  All in One Middle School - TPT Email:  [email protected] Links mentioned in this episode: Join the All in One Middle School Membership! How to Write 5 Engaging Poems - Blog Post Poetry Choice Board Poetry Activities for Middle School Free Poetry Writing Activity Blog Post on the 5 types of poems (with visuals) Blog post “How to Write Poetry in 5 Steps”. One-on-One Coaching for Observations and Lessons 

Teaching poetry to middle schoolers might seem complicated, but there are so many ways to do this simply and effectively. I have found that my kids (and I) enjoy this unit more than any other unit.   And, I love to incorporate poetry throughout the year so that kids will understand it better and see how valuable it is. If you’re ready to get started, listen here to see how in 5 simple steps.We will discuss: Why Teach Poetry to Middle Schoolers Using Poetic Devices and Figurative Language Incorporating Poetry Throughout the Year Unique and Fun Ways to Use Poetry in Your Classroom Poetry as Both Reading and Writing Units Sharing Poetry that Kids Have Written Let's connect! Subscribe:  Get updates and free products when you subscribe Facebook Group:  Middle School Language Arts Teacher Instagram: @all.in.one.middle.school Info on products:  Follow me on TPT My website:  www.allinonemiddleschool.com My TPT Store:  All in One Middle School - TPT Email:  [email protected] Links mentioned in this episode: Join the All in One Middle School Membership! Poetry Activities for Middle School Free “Examine a Poem” activity Free set of poetry discussion questions One-on-One Coaching for Observations and Lessons