Beyond the Paragraph: Teaching Writing in Middle School with Structure

How I Taught Writing My First Year of Teaching (so embarrassing) Ep. 33

My first year of teaching was a hot mess!! But we had fun. :) Now I've changed and grown and here's how I teach writing to get RESULTS.  Need full year writing

Planning Your First Week of Writing Instruction grades 4-8 Ep. 32

You'll learn what I assign the first week of school when it comes to writing! Need a full year curriculum? Look for your grade level here. Thoughts? Questions? Send

How to Build Writing Stamina in Your Students (Grades 3–8) Ep. 31

I'm breaking down writing stamina — what it actually is, why it's the missing piece in most writing instruction, and the simple daily habits that build it. Sta

How To Teach Writing Even if You Haven't Been Trained Grades 3-8 Ep. 30

Can you teach writing well even if you feel like you're "not a writing person"? Yes. And in this 5-Minute Flash Training, I want to take that worry off your shoulder

How To Get Kids to WANT to Write Teaching Writing in Grades 3-8 Ep. 29

How do I get students to actually want to write? It's the question every ELA teacher and homeschool parent runs into, and it's where I start this brand-new 5-Mi

Before Planning in the Fall, Give This a Listen Ep. 28

It's a Deep Thoughts day, and I want to push on something most of us have never stopped to question: the order we plan our ELA year in.  In this episode I get into

Why Grammar Isn't Transferring to Student Writing (And How To Fix It) Ep. 27

 Grammar instruction is one of those topics that sounds simple… until you’re actually in the classroom trying to make it stick. You’ve probably heard “teach grammar in co

Writing Test Prep That Actually Works: CER + Collaboration Ep. 26

State testing season is coming… but test prep doesn’t have to mean endless practice tests. In this video, I share some of the most effective ways to prepare students for

RACE Writing Strategy vs C.E.R.: Which Strategy Works Better? Ep. 25

In this episode, I compare the RACE writing strategy and the CER (Claim, Evidence, Reasoning) framework to help you decide which approach works better for students. I exp

How to Teach Writing with a "Skills First" Approach Ep. 24

In this episode, I explain how I teach writing using a skills-first approach, and why strong writing instruction shouldn’t start with essays. Instead of working backward

Curriculum Changes Coming in 2026 for Structured Writing (Grades 4–8) Ep. 23

In this episode, I’m sharing what’s changing, what’s staying the same, and what’s evolving in my Structured Writing program for 2026. After a short break, I reflect on w

How to Refresh Your Mid-Year Writing Routine Ep. 22

If you teach writing in grades 4-8, you know the mid-year engagement slump is real! Here are 3 ways to get them energized again and back on track! Go here to grab your f

Letting Students Use A.I. for Writing? Consider this... Ep. 21

There is no one correct way to handle A.I. use in the classroom. But let's have grace with each other as we grapple with this huge issue facing educators. There is s

Why Fun Writing Prompts Do Not = Engagement Ep. 20

Sure, writing prompts are fun, but when it comes to true engagement, cute activities and digital games can only take your students so far. In this episode, I break down w

Why October Is the Secret Weapon for Your Writing Workshop Ep. 19

October is pure magic for writing teachers...if you use it right. 🕯️ In this episode, I’m sharing why you should lean into spooky writing this month (and not just becaus

Teaching Hooks: I'm Sharing the Secret! Ep. 18

In this episode, I start with a student story that proves just how powerful a hook can be, and then we dig into the real work of teaching them. You’ll hear my philosophy

"The UNICORN of Writing" Ep. 17

In this episode, I share the story behind one teacher’s phrase “the unicorn of writing” and unpack what that really means. We’ll explore why writing instruction so often

Are You Teaching Essays The Wrong Way? Ep. 16

 What if your students could experience essay structure instead of just being told about it? In this episode, I introduce The Rebuild Relay, which is a constructivist tea

The Structured Writer’s Workshop™ CRASH COURSE! Learn how to make writing instruction structured and engaging in under 60 minutes Ep.15

In this 60-minute audiobook, you’ll learn the complete framework behind the Structured Writer’s Workshop™, a structured approach that helps students in grades 4–8 become

Revolutionizing Student Writing: Beyond the 4x4 Classroom

The writing crisis in American classrooms isn't due to lack of teacher effort, it's our instructional model. When the Nation's Report Card reveals only 27%