Teaching Middle School ELA
Teaching Middle School ELA
Caitlin Mitchell
Episode 404: Tips for Using Your Prep Period to Grade (Instead of Plan)
26 minutes Posted Apr 21, 2026 at 9:00 am.
Why Prep Periods Disappear
The Real Problem With Prep Time
Batch Planning To Free Your Week
Give Every Day A Job
Protect Grading Time And Focus
Email Boundaries And Communication Windows
Logistics Day Plus A Floating Buffer
Non Negotiables And Identity Shift
Calendar Action Steps And Closing
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Show notes
In today's Teaching Middle School Podcast Episode, your prep period is getting stolen and it’s not because you’re “bad at time management.” Between emails, copies, surprise student needs, and drive-by conversations, that one small window becomes a catch-all and the work that matters most ends up in your bag at night. We’re breaking that cycle with a structure that helps middle school ELA teachers grade at school more often and get evenings and weekends back. ➡️Here's the link to grab our fre...