In this episode of Two Middle School ELA Teachers by ELA Core Plans, we’re diving into the art of argumentative writing with “A Clever Lesson for Argumentative Writing.” We’ll explore an engaging lesson plan that helps middle schoolers master the essentials of crafting strong arguments.

From brainstorming and prewriting to gathering evidence and structuring a well-organized essay, we cover strategies to make argumentative writing clear and compelling. We’ll share insights on using the Four Square prewriting method, tips for avoiding common pitfalls, and a brainstorming session focused on aspects like author’s style, realistic characters, pacing, and figurative language.

Perfect for preparing students to tackle end-of-year state tests, this episode is packed with practical ideas to inspire your next writing lesson!

link for the prompt

link for the tool to teach how to write grabbers/leads

Join us, two middle school ELA teachers from ELA Core Plans, as we discuss our favorite time of the year in the middle school ELA classroom – October! In this episode, we share our excitement for spooky stories and how we plan to engage our students during this season. We highlight the classic tales that we have lined up for the month of October.

Halloween Stories for Middle School ELA:

• • Duffy’s Jacket
  • Click Clack the Rattlebag
  • The Monsters are Due on Maple Street
  • Sorry, Wrong Number
  • The Ultimate Suspenseful Scary Story Resource Bundle for Middle School

Don't forget to subscribe to Two Middle School ELA Teachers for more creative, standards-aligned activities to bring fun and learning together in your classroom.

In this October episode, we are bringing you some spook-tacular writing activities that will engage your students while building key skills in narrative and persuasive writing.

First, we dive into a Halloween-themed writing activity where students get creative by designing their own costumes, writing vivid descriptions, and crafting persuasive ads using ethos, logos, and pathos. This lesson is the perfect blend of creativity and structure, aligned with Common Core Standards, so your students have fun while honing essential writing techniques.

Next, we explore the always-popular Choose Your Own Adventure stories. We’ll show you how to guide your students in creating interactive, branching narratives that teach cause and effect, critical thinking, and technology skills using Google Slides. The best part? It’s a project they can complete while learning essential writing and digital literacy skills.

If you're looking to bring some Halloween fun into your ELA classroom while staying aligned with educational standards, this episode is packed with ideas for you!

Mentioned in this episode:

• Halloween Costume Persuasive Ad Writing Activity
• Choose Your Own Adventure Story Template
• Bonus Halloween Stories for Middle School ELA:
  • Duffy’s Jacket
  • Click Clack the Rattlebag
  • The Monsters are Due on Maple Street
  • Sorry, Wrong Number:

Don't forget to subscribe to Two Middle School ELA Teachers for more creative, standards-aligned activities to bring fun and learning together in your classroom.