Best Ela Curriculum Podcasts (2025)

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Inside Olean High’s Library with Brionna Howard: How “Book Tastings” Lit a Spark and Quadrupled Checkouts 14:27

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11h ago14:27

14:27

A quiet library turned into a buzzing café of curiosity—and it changed how students read. We sit down with Olean High School librarian Brianna Howard to unpack the “book tasting” that quadrupled circulation in a month, the power of visible mentorship, and the small choices that make reading feel irresistible instead of required. Starting as a socia…

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Bonus Episode: History Matters: A case for teaching history in elementary school | Robert Pondiscio 15:44

1h ago15:44

15:44

Hello listeners of the Knowledge Matters Podcast! We're thrilled to give you special access to the first episode of the brand-new History Matters Podcast. To subscribe and learn more, visit: https://knowledgematterscampaign.org/history-matters-podcast/. ---------- Elementary schools spend almost no time teaching history. How did we get here, and ho…

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Episode 354: ChatGPT Series: 3 ChatGPT Shortcuts Every ELA Teacher Needs to Save Hours on Prep 19:10

4h ago19:10

19:10

I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text! Tired of spending endless hours planning, grading, and creating materials? In today’s episode, Caitlin shares three powerful ways to use ChatGPT to cut prep time in half—without sacrificing quality or your unique teaching style. From drafting discussion questions to batch-prepping warm-ups, you’ll walk awa…

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Quick Wins for Helping Students Pick a Just-Right Book [Bonus] 8:36

6h ago8:36

8:36

September brings an extra Tuesday, which means you get a bonus episode! In this short and practical episode, I’m sharing quick wins to help your students pick out the just-right book for right now. Whether you’re planning your very first library visit of the year or heading back for another round, these strategies will make sure students walk out w…

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OTT 261: When Halloween Takes Over: Keeping Learning Fun (and Focused) in October 9:33

1d ago9:33

9:33

Send us a text Sugar highs, costume talk, and boundless energy—October's Halloween excitement can quickly derail even the most carefully planned lessons. But this seasonal shift doesn't have to steamroll your learning objectives or your sanity as a teacher. This episode dives into practical strategies for maintaining classroom stability during the …

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Episode 353: The Shortcut Narrative Unit: How to Get Powerful Stories in Just 10 Days 23:21

6d ago23:21

23:21

I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text! Narrative writing is such an important skill for middle schoolers—but let’s be honest, it often feels like it takes forever to teach. Before you know it, weeks (or even months!) are gone, and you’re scrambling to fit in argument and informational writing. In this episode, I discussed how to make narrative …

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Episode 352: ChatGPT Series: Differentiation Without the Extra Work 14:30

7d ago14:30

14:30

I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text! Differentiation doesn’t have to mean staying up late making three different versions of the same lesson. In this week’s Teaching Middle School episode, I shared how you can use ChatGPT to quickly create scaffolds, extensions, and tiered questions—so every student has a way into the learning without you dou…

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5 Engaging Autumn Classroom Activities for Middle School ELA 15:57

8d ago15:57

15:57

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…

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OTT 260: How to Weave Science Into Your ELA Block (Without Losing Your Mind) 13:03

8d ago13:03

13:03

Send us a text Ever feel like science gets pushed to the back burner because reading and math dominate your teaching schedule? You're not alone. The struggle to fit everything in is real, especially when administrators sometimes suggest cutting science altogether. Let me introduce you to a different approach: seamlessly weaving science into your EL…

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Episode 351: Balancing Creative and Academic Writing in the Middle School Classroom 14:17

12d ago14:17

14:17

I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text! How do we strike the right balance between fun, engaging creative writing and the academic writing skills our students need to succeed? In this episode, let's dive into why both matter, how to weave them together, and practical strategies you can start using right away. Tune in to discover how creativity a…

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Film and the History of Slavery 46:39

13d ago46:39

46:39

By Learning for Justice (Host: Dr. Hasan Kwame Jeffries)

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Episode 350: ChatGPT Series: Communication & Admin Tasks Made Easier 17:46

14d ago17:46

17:46

I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text! Emails, newsletters, behavior documentation… oh my! Communication and admin tasks can easily eat up hours of your week—but they don’t have to. In today’s episode of Teaching Middle School ELA, I shared how ChatGPT can act like your personal assistant for the behind-the-scenes work of teaching. From draftin…

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10 Easy Ways to Encourage Student Book Recommendations in Your Classroom [Ep. 61] 10:58

14d ago10:58

10:58

Peer recommendations are one of the most effective ways to spark interest in reading. Students are much more likely to pick up a book when a classmate suggests it. In this episode, I share ten practical ways you can bring student voices into your classroom and help create a living TBR list that students will actually use. These ideas make reading f…

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OTT 259: Screens, Focus, and Reconnecting in REAL Life 9:20

15d ago9:20

9:20

Send us a text Remember the days when getting kids to focus in class didn't feel like competing with a digital circus? Today's students—even third graders—are coming to school with phones in hand, already accustomed to constant digital stimulation and instant gratification. The result? Classrooms filled with children struggling to transition, wait,…

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5 Inspiring Books for Middle Schoolers: September Reading for Hispanic Heritage Month 16:22

17d ago16:22

16:22

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 …

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Episode 349: Scaffolding Evidence: How to Help Students Choose Quotes That Actually Work 15:11

19d ago15:11

15:11

I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text! Ever had a student pick a random quote just because it “sounded good”? 😅 You’re not alone! In today’s episode of Teaching Middle School ELA, I talked about practical scaffolds to help students go beyond guessing and actually choose evidence that supports their claims. From curated quote banks to our powerf…

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Episode 348:ChatGPT Series: Planning Support Without the Overwhelm 19:42

22d ago19:42

19:42

I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text! Planning doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. In today’s episode of Teaching Middle School ELA, I am sharing how ChatGPT can be your planning partner—helping you brainstorm, differentiate, and save hours each week without sacrificing quality. Whether you’re an EB teacher already using the Portal or just look…

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OTT 258: 3 Ways to Keep Reading Routines Strong When Curriculum Kicks In 14:45

23d ago14:45

14:45

Send us a text Ever found yourself sacrificing read-aloud time for pre-assessments and curriculum demands? You're not alone. In this heartfelt exploration of keeping reading routines strong, we dive into why those beautiful reading structures we create in August often crumble by September. The paradox of early-year teaching hits hard when faced wit…

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5 Best Bell Ringer Ideas for Middle School ELA That Students Will Love 17:37

25d ago17:37

17:37

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…

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Episode 347: From Summary to Justification: Teaching Students to Go Beyond the Obvious 24:19

26d ago24:19

24:19

I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text! Today’s episode tackles a challenge every ELA teacher knows well: getting students to move beyond simply summarizing a text and into true analysis. This episode, From Summary to Justification: Teaching Students to Go Beyond the Obvious, is all about helping students answer the big “So what?”—why their evid…

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Diverse Experience of the Enslaved 35:35

28d ago35:35

35:35

The experiences of enslaved people varied greatly based on a variety of factors, including time, location, crop, labor performed, size of slaveholding and gender. Yet, most students leave school thinking enslaved people lived like the biased representation in Gone With the Wind. Deirdre Cooper Owens, Ph.D., discusses how the lived experience of sla…

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Episode 346: ChatGPT Series: Brainstorming & Lesson Hooks Made Simple 14:07

28d ago14:07

14:07

I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text! Welcome back to Teaching Middle School ELA! Today, we’re continuing our ChatGPT Series with an episode called Brainstorming & Lesson Hooks Made Simple. If you’ve ever found yourself staring at your planner, wondering how to start a lesson in a way that actually captures your students’ attention—or if you’r…

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How to Keep Reading Energy Alive Beyond the First Month [Ep. 60] 13:56

28d ago13:56

13:56

The first few weeks of school often bring a real buzz around reading—students are exploring the shelves, setting goals, and diving into new books. But as the back-to-school excitement fades, that momentum can slip, and independent reading starts to feel more like just another assignment. In this episode we share fresh, practical strategies to keep …

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OTT 257: Wally Is Worried- Helping Students (and Ourselves) Navigate Big Feelings 21:55

30d ago21:55

21:55

Send us a text A worried watermelon might be exactly what your students need to navigate their big feelings this year. Meet Wally – the adorable protagonist of author Erin Waters' new children's book that's transforming how we approach anxiety in the classroom. Drawing from her seven years as a first-grade teacher and her personal journey with worr…

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Episode 345: Teaching Grammar in the Flow of Writing 21:35

1M ago21:35

21:35

I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text! Have you ever taught a grammar skill on Friday, only to watch your students completely forget it by Monday? You’re not alone. Grammar taught in isolation rarely sticks—but when it’s woven into the flow of writing instruction, everything changes. In today’s episode, I’m sharing the EB Grammar Framework, a s…

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Episode 344: ChatGPT Series: How to Train ChatGPT to Create Rubrics and Feedback 20:50

1M ago20:50

20:50

I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text! Grading doesn’t have to steal your weekends anymore! 🎉 In this brand-new series, I’m showing you how to train ChatGPT to become your teaching assistant—saving you time, reducing stress, and giving you space to focus on what matters most: your students. In this first episode, we’re tackling the grading stru…

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OTT 256: From Teacher to Author: Christine Devane's Journey with Elephant Beach 16:35

1M ago16:35

16:35

Send us a text Christine Devane takes us on her journey from classroom teacher to published children's author, revealing how patience and persistence led to the publication of her book "Elephant Beach" after nearly a decade of waiting. What started as a manuscript written during her teaching years perfectly aligned with her current life as a mother…

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Episode 343: You’re Probably Already Doing This—But It’s the Secret to a Strong Reading Culture 23:26

1M ago23:26

23:26

I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text! So many teachers want to build a strong reading culture in their classrooms—but the truth is, you’re probably already doing one of the most important things without even realizing it! In today’s episode, I pull back the curtain on the “secret” to fostering a love of reading and shows you how to amplify wha…

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Episode 342: The Secret to a Thriving Classroom Culture 22:02

1M ago22:02

22:02

I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text! What if your classroom didn’t run on a long list of rules, but on a few powerful core values that shape how everyone shows up each day? In this episode, let's explore why core values inspire more ownership than rules, how to choose the right ones for your students, and simple ways to bring them to life dai…

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How to Reduce Reading Anxiety: 6 Strategies for Confident Readers [EP. 59] 14:19

1M ago14:19

14:19

In this episode, we are talking about reading anxiety, how to recognize it, why it holds students back, and six practical reading strategies you can start teaching right away to help move students past it. You’ll hear ideas for creating a safe, supportive classroom environment, giving students concrete steps to try when they get stuck, and building…

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OTT 255: Building Reading Routines That Stick (and Don’t Drain You) 9:39

1M ago9:39

9:39

Send us a text Struggling to establish reading routines that don't leave you exhausted? Discover the magic of sustainable reading practices that transform your classroom culture while building essential literacy skills. The most powerful reading routines aren't complicated—they're consistent, joyful, and purposeful. In this episode, we explore how …

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Back to School Reading: 5 Amazing Books for Middle School Students 15:41

2M ago15:41

15:41

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 book…

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Resistance Means More Than Rebellion 1:07:02

2M ago1:07:02

1:07:02

For a more complete picture of enslaved people’s experiences, we need to expand our understanding of resistance. Kenneth S. Greenberg, Ph.D., examines the numerous ways enslaved African Americans incorporated resistance into every aspect of their lives, offering a lens to help students see how enslaved people fought back against the brutality of sl…

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Episode 341: Mini Socratic Seminars: Big Impact in Small Groups 18:12

2M ago18:12

18:12

I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text! If you’ve ever tried a Socratic seminar and ended up with just a handful of students dominating the conversation while the rest stayed silent, you’re not alone. In this episode of Teaching Middle School ELA, I’m sharing my favorite twist on the classic format—Mini Socratic Seminars—that get every student e…

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BACK TO SCHOOL: State of the BNT Union + Reading Update [Ep 271] 46:44

2M ago46:44

46:44

In this “State of the BNT Union” episode, we’re sharing where the Brave New Teaching podcast is headed next, from a new focus on YouTube and refreshed dystopia content to better-organized resources for teachers...plus a peek at the projects we’re most excited about this year. Along the way, we’re swapping back-to-school recommendations, current rea…

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Episode 340: Avoiding Burnout by Letting Go of Perfection in Your Lesson Plans 23:38

2M ago23:38

23:38

I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text! Here’s the truth: your lesson plans don’t need to be perfect to be effective—and chasing “perfect” is one of the quickest ways to burn out as a teacher. In this episode, I am talking directly to all the teachers who spend hours tweaking slides, rewriting already-great handouts, and second-guessing every pl…

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OTT 254: Break the Ice Without the Cringe – Fun Ways to Build Classroom Community 11:32

2M ago11:32

11:32

Send us a text Ever found yourself cringing through yet another awkward icebreaker activity? You're not alone. As teachers, we know building classroom community is essential, but finding engaging ways to do it can be challenging. The good news? Creating meaningful connections doesn't have to be painful or embarrassing for you or your students. When…

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INDEPENDENT READING: Breaking Down the Backwards Design for ELA Classrooms [Ep 270] 41:03

2M ago41:03

41:03

We’re calling it: independent reading is the back-to-school move of the year! In this episode, we’re getting honest about what it takes to build a reading culture that actually sticks, without burning you (or your students) out by October. We share the real talk on what’s worked, what hasn’t, and how our thinking has shifted post-COVID to make inde…

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Easy Ways to Start Peer-to-Peer Academic Conversations [Ep. 58] 10:27

2M ago10:27

10:27

Getting students to talk to each other in meaningful ways is harder than it sounds—but it’s a crucial part of building classroom community and engagement. In this episode, I’m diving into practical strategies you can use at the beginning of the year to help students feel safe and confident sharing their ideas in class. From low-risk warm-ups and si…

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OTT 253: What to Do Before You Get Sick – Smart Planning for the Inevitable 13:46

2M ago13:46

13:46

Send us a text Every teacher knows the feeling: waking up with a scratchy throat or fever, but dreading the thought of writing sub plans while sick. What if you could eliminate that stress with some smart planning now? The beginning of the school year brings excitement, fresh starts, and, unfortunately, exposure to countless classroom germs. As som…

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5 Engaging Middle School Activities for the First Day of School 17:14

2M ago17:14

17:14

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 Hu…

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In the Footsteps of Others: Process Drama 43:17

2M ago43:17

43:17

By Learning for Justice (Host: Dr. Hasan Kwame Jeffries)

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TJ KLUNE: A Conversation about The House in the Cerulean Sea [Ep 269] 1:24:33

2M ago1:24:33

1:24:33

In our final episode of Camp BNT, we got to sit down with none other than TJ Klune, author of The House in the Cerulean Sea—and let’s just say, it was everything we hoped for and more! We laughed, fangirled (a lot), and had the most meaningful conversation about TJ’s journey as a neurodivergent, queer kid from rural Oregon, how teachers shaped his …

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Natalie Wexler on How Writing Promotes Clear Thinking | Literacy and the Science of Learning 29:20

2M ago29:20

29:20

“Teaching students to write clearly was actually teaching them to think clearly.” In the Season 3 finale, host Natalie Wexler brings listeners inside Monroe City Schools, a high-poverty Louisiana district where educators have paired a content-rich curriculum with explicit writing instruction. This combination has not only helped students become flu…

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Episode 339: What to Do When Self-Doubt Creeps In 24:12

2M ago24:12

24:12

I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text! Every teacher has those “Am I doing enough?” moments. In this episode, I'm talking through how to quiet the doubt and reconnect with your purpose, because you are making a difference. 🎉 Just a Few More Days Left! 🎉 Have you entered our Podcast Giveaway yet? We’re treating ONE lucky teacher to a FREE 1-year…

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How To Build Reading Stamina: Practical Strategies For ELA Teachers [Ep. 57] 13:07

2M ago13:07

13:07

In this episode, we’re tackling a challenge many ELA teachers face—students struggling with reading stamina. With canned curriculum, short excerpts, and fast-paced instruction, students often lack the focus and endurance to finish full-length texts. We’ll dig into why reading stamina matters for critical thinking and long-term academic success, and…

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OTT 252: Teaching Sanity 101 10:24

2M ago10:24

10:24

Send us a text The back-to-school jitters aren't just for students—teachers face them too! As summer winds down and classrooms beckon, even the most experienced educators find themselves wrestling with familiar questions about those crucial first weeks. This episode dives into three universal teacher concerns. First, we explore which classroom rout…

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HUDA FAHMY: A Conversation about Huda F Cares? [Ep 268] 47:24

2M ago47:24

47:24

We’ve been wanting to bring Huda Fahmy on the podcast for a long time, and this conversation was well worth the wait! From her journey as an English teacher to bestselling graphic novelist, to the power of humor, representation, and student voice, Huda shares how her work helps young readers feel seen—and why that matters. We talk about the themes …

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Doing the Work of Teaching Hard History 43:37

2M ago43:37

43:37

In many ways, the U.S. has fallen short of its ideals. How can we explain this to students — particularly in the context of discussing slavery? Salem State University professor Steven Thurston Oliver shares practical strategies for teaching hard history and creating supportive classroom environments in which relationships are strong enough to be ab…

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Natalie Wexler on Memory and the Writing Effect | Literacy and the Science of Learning 23:39

2M ago23:39

23:39

Writing is hard—and teaching writing is even harder. But science tells us it’s well worth the effort, because writing flexes the mental muscles that nurture literacy and learning. Host Natalie Wexler connects cognitive science to specific writing practices that transfer information from working to long-term memory and require students to retrieve a…