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About This Podcast
If you're tired of guessing how to teach writing in middle school, you're in the right place. Robin Mellom is a veteran ELA teacher and published author of over ten children’s books with Disney, HarperCollins, and Houghton Mifflin. She brings the clarity and structure you've been craving without the gimmicks.
Hosted by Robin Mellom, author, middle school teacher, and creator of the Structured Writer’s Workshop™, each episode delivers practical, classroom-tested strategies that work in grades 4–8.
Learn how to implement evidence-based writing routines, like CER (Claim, Evidence, Reasoning), build lasting writing habits, and engage students in meaningful work that actually sticks.
Best of all, they will learn how to write like the pros!
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Recent Episodes
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 how to intertwine reading and…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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!…
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…
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…
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…
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…
"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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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Beyond the Paragraph: Teaching Writing in Middle School with Structure has published 29 episodes since May 2025, covering topics in Courses, Education.
Beyond the Paragraph: Teaching Writing in Middle School with Structure is currently highly active with new episodes every 2 weeks. Average episode length is 22m.
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