Beyond the Paragraph: Teaching Writing in Middle School with Structure
by Robin Mellom
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Recent episodes
Why Grammar Isn't Transferring to Student Writing (And How To Fix It) Ep. 27
Apr 19, 2026
43m 09s
Writing Test Prep That Actually Works: CER + Collaboration Ep. 26
Mar 12, 2026
24m 37s
RACE Writing Strategy vs C.E.R.: Which Strategy Works Better? Ep. 25
Feb 5, 2026
21m 51s
How to Teach Writing with a "Skills First" Approach Ep. 24
Jan 25, 2026
17m 35s
Curriculum Changes Coming in 2026 for Structured Writing (Grades 4–8) Ep. 23
Jan 18, 2026
22m 30s
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| Date | Episode | Description | Length | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/19/26 | 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 context” a hundred times, but what does that really look like in practice? And why do students who can ace a grammar worksheet still ignore those same skills in their writing? Frustrating!! In this episode, I’m digging into the tension between teaching grammar explicitly and teaching it in context, and why the real answer... | 43m 09s | ||||||
| 3/12/26 | 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 the writing portion of the state test, especially the performance task where students must write essays and constructed responses. Instead of rushing through digital practice tests, I’ll show you how to turn test prep into meaningful learning activities that build real writing skills. You’ll learn how to: • Use CER (Claim... | 24m 37s | ||||||
| 2/5/26 | 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 explain why I moved away from RACE and now use CER across all subjects, including ELA, science, and social studies. You’ll see how CER simplifies constructed responses, strengthens student reasoning, and creates one consistent writing system for the entire school day. If you’re looking for a clearer, more effective way to teach ... | 21m 51s | ||||||
| 1/25/26 | 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 from essay types alone, I focus on building foundational writing skills that transfer to every genre, every subject, and every state test. I break down how I structure writing instruction across the year so students practice what matters most before essays ever begin. I share: What a skills-first writing program actually look... | 17m 35s | ||||||
| 1/18/26 | 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 where writing instruction feels different right now, especially as more teachers are rethinking digital tools, screen time, and the return to physical notebooks. I talk through new research that’s shaping my thinking, including insights from The Digital Delusion by Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath, and how it’s influencing the way I de... | 22m 30s | ||||||
| 11/30/25 | 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 free month of editing tasks! https://structured-writing-teacher.myflodesk.com/f1cxq5jv49 Prediction doc: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Px3b_U0zgjwmSxlxWejSdvlCsL8twtE4xAhsX8tGFqc/edit?usp=sharing 🚨Grab the first module of my PD for free here: https://structured-writing-teacher.myflodesk.com/s960w0ymr9 Thoughts? Questi... | 13m 40s | ||||||
| 11/16/25 | 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 so much to consider... and that's what I'm tackling today. Here are some A.I. tools you may want to check out: Class Companion: https://classcompanion.com/ Snorkl: https://snorkl.app/ 🚨Grab my writing PD Crash Course for free here 📝 Looking for writing professional development? My 10-module video course will walk you through AL... | 24m 31s | ||||||
| 11/3/25 | 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 why short-term motivators are the “green tea diets” of writing instruction, and how to build something more sustainable. Learn what actually keeps students hooked all year long: ownership, structure, student leadership, and a workshop that feels like home. Happy writing, Robin Thoughts? Questions? Send me a text messag... | 10m 46s | ||||||
| 10/13/25 | 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 because it’s fun). You’ll learn how Halloween-themed prompts can teach real craft skills like suspense, pacing, and voice… and how they can completely turn around reluctant writers. I’ll walk you through my favorite October classroom activities: persuasive “Change My Mind” debates, Stranger Things-style story prompts, and a hilariou... | 13m 50s | ||||||
| 9/28/25 | 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 on why hooks aren’t just “sentence starters,” why rhetorical questions are only training wheels (and how to move past them), and the one secret that makes kids lean in with curiosity. Plus, I’ll explain how keeping cognitive load low is the key to helping every student succeed. And finally, you can Hook Hop! Here's your Teach... | 23m 02s | ||||||
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| 9/21/25 | "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 feels frustrating, what qualities a true “unicorn” approach would have, and the small shifts you can make to bring some of that magic into your own classroom. Along the way, you’ll hear stories of reluctant writers turning a corner, and I’ll leave you with a few practical strategies you can try tomorrow. Grab your crash cours... | 20m 23s | ||||||
| 9/14/25 | 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 teaching method that gets students moving, problem-solving, and teaching each other. You’ll hear how it works with a 7th grade argumentative essay, why it’s more effective than reading the rubric aloud, and how it can be adapted for younger learners with a fun Detective & Informant twist. Plus, I’ll share ways this stra... | 16m 18s | ||||||
| 8/31/25 | 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 confident, independent writers. They also LOVE it. Why This Workshop Is Different I’m not just a teacher, I’m also a published author of children’s books with Disney-Hyperion, HarperCollins, and Houghton Mifflin. What I learned from working with editors and revising manuscripts under tight deadlines transformed the way ... | 53m 15s | ||||||
| 8/17/25 | 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% of eighth graders scoring proficient in writing, we need to examine what's really happening in our classrooms. After spending nearly a decade away from teaching to become a professional writer, I returned to education as a "fish out of water," shocked by both how writing instruction had changed and how my professional writing experience c... | 31m 08s | ||||||
| 7/27/25 | THIS is The Secret Ingredient for Better Writing Across All Subjects Ep. 13 | In this episode, I’m diving into why CER (Claim, Evidence, Reasoning) is the ultimate pivot skill. It’s not just for ELA. Students can use it in science, history, short responses, and full essays—and the more they practice it, the more confident and structured their writing becomes. You’ll hear how I scaffold it with sentence frames, expand it with an “Explain in your own words” step, and enrich it with a hook and a powerful closing statement. No matter your experience with CER, you’ll ... | 28m 07s | ||||||
| 7/20/25 | Before the Rubrics: What to Teach the FIRST WEEK of Writing Ep. 12 | When it comes to writing instruction, the first week can make or break your year. In this episode, I’m walking you through exactly how I start the school year in my writing classroom. You'll hear about the phone call I make before students ever step through the door, and the voice lesson my students beg to do again. I’m sharing: The one question I ask families that tells me everything about a student’s writing mindsetHow I get an honest, messy, meaningful baseline writing sampleWhy I don’t op... | 35m 00s | ||||||
| 7/13/25 | The Science of Writing: My Hunt for Research-Based Writing Instruction in Middle School Ep. 11 | This episode is the audio from one of my most popular YouTube videos, so if you hear me say “look at this” or reference something on screen, don’t worry! I've linked the full video below! In this deep dive, I unpack what I discovered after listening to the Sold a Story podcast and asking myself a big question: Where’s the research on writing instruction? Spoiler alert: it’s complicated. But I share what I found, what’s missing, and what we can do right now to teach writing with more clarity a... | 21m 50s | ||||||
| 7/6/25 | Don't Ask Comprehension Questions When Reading a Novel: The Brilliance of TRACKING Ep 10 | Traditional comprehension questions are holding your students back. It’s time for a shift. This method flips the script on how we approach novel studies and writing in middle school, moving beyond recall questions and into deep, authentic engagement. Instead of asking students to remember what happened, this strategy teaches them to track what matters. By gathering purposeful evidence on theme, characterization, world-building, and author’s craft as they read, students naturally build the fou... | 23m 25s | ||||||
| 6/30/25 | Stop Teaching Narrative Essays First: My Game-Changing Essay Sequence for Grades 4–8 Ep.9 | What if the reason your students hate writing isn’t because they’re unmotivated but because you’re asking them to do too much, too soon? In this episode, I’m breaking down why I stopped starting the year with narrative writing and how changing the order of essay instruction completely transformed my classroom. I’ll walk you through the exact essay sequence I use, why it works, and how each step builds skills (and confidence) without overwhelming students. If you’ve ever felt like writing in... | 30m 00s | ||||||
| 6/25/25 | If You Teach Writing in THIS Order, Everything Will Click into Place Ep. 8 | If teaching writing feels like one long game of catch-up… this episode will flip your perspective. In today’s episode, I’m revealing the six writing skills I teach first in my student-led writing workshop and why the order of instruction matters more than you think. You’ll learn how to teach skills that build on each other and give students instant momentum. We’ll talk about: ✔️ The confidence-building skill you should always start with ✔️ Why “show, don’t tell” can wait ✔️ ... | 21m 22s | ||||||
| 6/22/25 | What Publishing Taught Me About Teaching Writing Ep. 7 | When I became a published author, I thought I understood revision...until I met my editor. And then my second editor. And my third. In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on what really happens in the publishing world, all the way from developmental edits to line edits to the final proofread. This changed everything about the way I teach writing. You'll hear how authors revise in stages, why feedback is always focused (and never rushed), and how we can bring that same layered pro... | 21m 58s | ||||||
| 6/17/25 | Teacher Talk! How this Teacher Implemented a Structured Writer's Workshop in 8th Grade Ep 6 | Meet Tisha, an 8th grade ELA teacher who implemented the structured writing workshop in her classroom. She shares what worked during her first year of implementation. You'll learn: ✔️How to use BOTH physical and digital notebooks for writing ✔️organization strategies for student leaders ✔️how to incorporate AI successfully in the writing process ✔️how this workshop changed her 8th graders An episode not to be missed. Share with other ELA teacher friends! Thoughts? Questions? Sen... | 26m 25s | ||||||
| 6/13/25 | From Acronyms to Autonomy: A Better Way to Teach Writing Ep 5 | 🏀 What does Steph Curry’s pregame warm-up have to do with writing instruction? Everything. In this episode, I'm comparing the basketball legend’s unpredictable, skill-building practice routine with the way we should be preparing students to write. You’ll hear two stories...one courtside, and one from a humid gym in 1986... that illustrate exactly why rigid acronyms and overstructured templates can freeze young writers in their tracks. If your students ask, "What do I do next?" every time they... | 21m 25s | ||||||
| 6/10/25 | Fixing the Flaws in the Writing Workshop Model Ep. 4 | Many teachers are abandoning writing workshop… but not because it failed. It’s because the structure was missing. In this episode of Beyond the Paragraph, I’m sharing how you can reclaim the power of workshop with simple, transformative shifts that bring clarity, consistency, and calm to your writing block. Whether you’re a former fan of Calkins-style instruction or just tired of chaotic, unproductive workshop time, this episode will help you: Identify why traditional workshop often falls apa... | 30m 04s | ||||||
| 6/8/25 | Classroom Management in a Student-Led Writing Workshop Ep 3 | 🎯 In this episode, I’m walking you through the daily structure that keeps students engaged and independent without constant redirection. You’ll hear exactly how I: ✅ Use student-led routines to minimize off-task behavior ✅ Reinforce expectations without micromanaging ✅ Turn workshop into a powerful classroom management tool ✅ Build a classroom culture where students lead, collaborate, and stay on task Whether you teach in a classroom or homeschool around the kitchen table, you’ll walk away w... | 30m 43s | ||||||
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2 placements across 2 markets.
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2 placements across 2 markets.