21 Argumentative Writing Exercises: Breaking Down Arguments: 4 Interactive Ways to Teach Argumentative Writing Without Assigning an Essay
Two Middle School ELA Teachers
Release Date: 02/21/2023
Ready for a Game Changer This Summer, ELA Teachers? Don't Miss This!
Two Middle School ELA Teachers
In today’s episode, I’m sharing how I’m spending my summer—and it’s not just about relaxing! From reading a powerful book to exploring creative outlets, I’m discovering some exciting ways to bring new ideas into my world, and I want to share how you can do this too! Plus, I’ve got a special offer for those of you looking to make a move this summer. Tune in to hear how you can start building something incredible and why now is the perfect time to take action. Links mentioned in the show: Ready to secure your 25% discount on our upcoming resource for new middle school ELA...
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Two End-of-Year ELA Activities Your Students Will Actually Enjoy
Two Middle School ELA Teachers
2 End-of-Year ELA Activities Your Students Will Actually Enjoy It’s May, the end of the school year, and we all know what that means – restless students, tired teachers, and a countdown to summer break. But before you toss your gradebook in the air and head for the beach, I’ve got two creative, low-prep ELA activities that will keep your students engaged and laughing through the final days of school. In this episode, I’ll share: ✅ The Year in Review Skit Challenge – a high-energy, creative way to wrap up the year and review characters, themes, and conflicts. ✅ Plotline Pictionary...
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Do You Really See the Whole Class? Fisheye Syndrome, Hogs, and Logs in Middle School ELA
Two Middle School ELA Teachers
Are you unknowingly teaching to just a few students while the rest fade into the background? In this solo episode of Two Middle School ELA Teachers, Shannon dives into two hidden classroom challenges—fisheye syndrome and the classic case of hogs and logs.
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Engaging Apathetic Students: Strategies for Keeping Middle Schoolers Motivated at the End of the Year
Two Middle School ELA Teachers
In this episode of Two Middle School ELA Teachers by ELA Core Plans, Shannon shares effective strategies for keeping middle school students engaged and motivated during the end-of-year slump, especially in April and May. With state testing approaching, it can be challenging to maintain focus, but Shannon offers practical tips to help. Listen for fresh ideas on how to keep your students energized, on task, and ready to finish the school year strong.
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Fun Middle School ELA Review Game
Two Middle School ELA Teachers
In this episode of Two Middle School ELA Teachers by ELA Core Plans, Shannon shares a fun and competitive review game called "Sink or Swim" that’s perfect for engaging middle school students in ELA practice. Learn how to use this game to review important concepts like comma rules, test prep, and more. Shannon also shares a helpful hack for finding released test questions to help your students prepare for state assessments, and how you can incorporate them into your classroom with a competitive twist. Tune in for a quick, easy-to-implement game that your students will love!
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Middle School ELA Test Prep: Engaging Strategies to Boost Reading Comprehension
Two Middle School ELA Teachers
Test prep season is here, and middle school ELA teachers know the struggle—students zoning out while reading passage after passage. In this episode, we’re sharing high-impact comprehension strategies that actually work! We’ll talk about five strategies that that work for fiction and nonfiction to help students stay engaged, monitor their understanding, and tackle test passages with confidence.
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Save Time on Essay Grading: How I Used AI for Writing Feedback in my Middle School ELA Classroom
Two Middle School ELA Teachers
Grading essays can be overwhelming, especially with a large class. In this episode, I share how I used ChatGPT to provide detailed, consistent, and unbiased feedback on my middle school students' writing. I’ll walk you through the exact process I used, how it saved me hours of grading time, and why my students actually found the feedback more helpful than traditional comments.
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Introducing Nonfiction in Middle School ELA: A Station-Based Activity That Works
Two Middle School ELA Teachers
In this episode of Two Middle School ELA Teachers, Shannon takes you through an engaging, hands-on activity called "The Great Nonfiction Scavenger Hunt"—perfect for introducing nonfiction to your middle school students. Say goodbye to zoning out during note-taking and hello to interactive stations that keep students moving, thinking, and learning. Shannon shares how she sets up six stations focused on key nonfiction concepts like text features, text structures, author’s purpose, and more. Plus, she introduces the 3 Big Questions that will help students approach nonfiction texts with deeper...
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Context Clues Walk About ~ An Engaging Middle School ELA Activity
Two Middle School ELA Teachers
Episode Description: Get your students up and moving with this fun and engaging ELA activity! In this episode, we’re diving into the Context Clue Walk About, where students work in pairs to decipher word meanings using context clues in a hands-on, interactive way. Learn how to set it up, teach context clue strategies with the LEAD acronym, and choose the perfect words for your middle schoolers. Plus, we’ll share tips for keeping students on task and ideas for adapting this activity to teach other ELA standards. Don’t miss this classroom-tested idea that your students will love!
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Do You Have the "It Factor" as a Middle School Teacher?
Two Middle School ELA Teachers
What makes a teacher truly unforgettable? In this episode of Two Middle School ELA Teachers by ELA Core Plans, we explore the elusive “It Factor” that sets exceptional teachers apart. These are the educators who connect effortlessly with students, make learning engaging, and leave a lasting impact on young lives. Join us as we break down the key qualities that define the “It Factor". We’ll share stories, insights, and practical tips for fostering these traits in your own classroom. Whether you’re a seasoned teacher or just starting out, this episode is a must-listen for anyone aiming...
info_outlineIn 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 listen this week to say thank you for listening and to celebrate the accomplishment of making over 20 episodes. Be sure to follow us on Instagram at ELA Core Plans and visit our blot at www.elacoreplans.com