Nov 13, 2025
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...
Oct 14, 2025
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,...
Sep 23, 2025
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...
Sep 11, 2025
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...
Aug 26, 2025
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.
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