Episode 404: Tips for Using Your Prep Period to Grade (Instead of Plan)

Episode 404: Tips for Using Your Prep Period to Grade (Instead of Plan)

From Teaching Middle School ELA by Caitlin Mitchell

April 21, 2026 · 26 min · Season 2 · Episode 404

About this episode

This episode discusses strategies for middle school ELA teachers to effectively use their prep periods for grading instead of planning.

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...

Topics covered

  • grading
  • time management
  • middle school ELA
  • prep period

Keywords

  • prep period
  • grading strategies
  • teacher productivity

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Teaching Middle School Podcast

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