Beyond the Paragraph: Teaching Writing in Middle School with Structure
Published by Robin Mellom
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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!
How I Taught Writing My First Year of Teaching (so embarrassing) Ep. 33
My first year of teaching was a hot mess!! But we had fun. :) Now I've changed and grown and here's how I teach writing to get RESULTS. Need full year writing curriculum? Look for your grade level HERE. Thoughts? Questions? Send me a text message! ➡️ Learn more about the FULL Structured Writing training PD 📆 Grab my yearlong writing planner for free (it includes my eBook!) 🎥 Watch the teaching strategies in action on YouTube 📝 Read the latest blog posts for writing tips & ideas HAVE A QUESTION? Email me at robin@structuredwritingteacher.com
Planning Your First Week of Writing Instruction grades 4-8 Ep. 32
You'll learn what I assign the first week of school when it comes to writing! Need a full year curriculum? Look for your grade level here. Thoughts? Questions? Send me a text message! ➡️ Learn more about the FULL Structured Writing training PD 📆 Grab my yearlong writing planner for free (it includes my eBook!) 🎥 Watch the teaching strategies in action on YouTube 📝 Read the latest blog posts for writing tips & ideas HAVE A QUESTION? Email me at robin@structuredwritingteacher.com
How to Build Writing Stamina in Your Students (Grades 3–8) Ep. 31
I'm breaking down writing stamina — what it actually is, why it's the missing piece in most writing instruction, and the simple daily habits that build it. Stamina isn't just "writing for a long time." It's the mental and emotional resilience to push through hard, long-term work without quitting — and it's a skill we can teach. Here's how I build it with my students in grades 3–8: ✏️ Daily 3-a-day warm-ups — sentence combining (the most research-backed way to teach grammar that sticks), a quick grammar/test-prep question, and a short quick-write scene ✏️ Weekly structured writing workshops — where students set line goals, track personal records, and beat them week over week ✏️ Quantity before quality — why getting words on the page first is the key to unlocking revision later If your students freeze up, stall out, or "don't know what to write," this is where to start. 🔗 Full-year writing curriculum is now available for grades 3–8 — check out your grade level here: [ LINK ] 🎓 New to the Structured Writers Workshop? Take the free crash course: [ LINK ] Thoughts? Questions? Send me a text message! ➡️ Learn more about the FULL Structured Writing training PD 📆 Grab my yearlong writing planner for free (it includes my eBook!) 🎥 Watch the teaching strategies in action on YouTube 📝 Read the latest blog posts for writing tips & ideas HAVE A QUESTION? Email me at robin@structuredwritingteacher.com
How To Teach Writing Even if You Haven't Been Trained Grades 3-8 Ep. 30
Can you teach writing well even if you feel like you're "not a writing person"? Yes. And in this 5-Minute Flash Training, I want to take that worry off your shoulders, whether you're a classroom ELA teacher or a homeschool parent. You don't need 250 strategies or an award on your shelf. You need to get kids writing daily, build their confidence and stamina, teach the six skills in a deliberate order (voice, hooks, sentence complexity, figurative language, vivid imagery, and show-don't-tell), add claim-evidence-reasoning, and stack it all into essays. When you understand how those pieces connect, your confidence as the teacher follows, and your students feel it too. New to the Structured Writing method? Take the free crash course. The full-year writing and grammar curriculum for grades 3 through 8 is now complete. Thoughts? Questions? Send me a text message! ➡️ Learn more about the FULL Structured Writing training PD 📆 Grab my yearlong writing planner for free (it includes my eBook!) 🎥 Watch the teaching strategies in action on YouTube 📝 Read the latest blog posts for writing tips & ideas HAVE A QUESTION? Email me at robin@structuredwritingteacher.com
How To Get Kids to WANT to Write Teaching Writing in Grades 3-8 Ep. 29
How do I get students to actually want to write? It's the question every ELA teacher and homeschool parent runs into, and it's where I start this brand-new 5-Minute Flash Training series for summer. Here's the heart of it: most writing instruction assigns writing instead of teaching it. We hand kids the finished cake and say "now you make one." In this quick training I share why desire to write matters more than we admit, and why confidence and stamina have to come before the essays, the paragraphs, and the short constructed responses. Build those two things first, and everything else gets easier. This is the foundation of my Structured Writers Workshop, the method I built after years of learning from my own editors as a published children's author. Throughout this series I'll keep coming back to confidence and stamina, daily warm-ups, voice, and the specific order I teach writing skills in. New to the Structured Writing method? Take the free crash course. The full-year writing and grammar curriculum for grades 3 through 8 is now complete. Thoughts? Questions? Send me a text message! ➡️ Learn more about the FULL Structured Writing training PD 📆 Grab my yearlong writing planner for free (it includes my eBook!) 🎥 Watch the teaching strategies in action on YouTube 📝 Read the latest blog posts for writing tips & ideas HAVE A QUESTION? Email me at robin@structuredwritingteacher.com
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 writing: how to get students reading like writers instead of scanning for comprehension answers, how your writing lessons can cover your RL and RI standards at the same time, and how many full novels I actually teach in a year (with a nod to Kelly Gallagher on reading volume). Writing is the spine. Reading is the muscle. You need both. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE My full-year writing & grammar curriculum 3rd grade 4th grade 5th grade 6th grade 7th grade 8th grade Follow Beyond the Paragraph wherever you listen, and share this with a teacher bestie. To learn more about the Structured Writing method, visit structuredwritingteacher.com. Thoughts? Questions? Send me a text message! ➡️ Learn more about the FULL Structured Writing training PD 📆 Grab my yearlong writing planner for free (it includes my eBook!) 🎥 Watch the teaching strategies in action on YouTube 📝 Read the latest blog posts for writing tips & ideas HAVE A QUESTION? Email me at robin@structuredwritingteacher.com
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 isn’t choosing one or the other. I’ll walk you through what’s actually going wrong, why grammar often doesn’t transfer, and how to turn grammar into something students use naturally as they write… not just something they memorize and forget. If you’ve ever felt like your students “know it” but aren’t applying it, this will give you a completely different way to think about grammar instruction. The goal is simple, but powerful… grammar should make writing stronger, not more confusing. And when you build it into a clear system, it finally starts to stick. Need resources? Here’s everything I mentioned: 5 Modes of Writing FREEBIE! 📚 Yearlong Writing Curriculum 👉 5th Grade 👉 6th Grade 👉 7th Grade 👉 8th Grade 🧠 Pause & Prove Cards ✏️ 4th Grade Grammar Pack Already have the full-year curriculum and want access to the Google Drive? 📩 Just email a screenshot of your purchase to: robin@structuredwritingteacher.com Thoughts? Questions? Send me a text message! ➡️ Learn more about the FULL Structured Writing training PD 📆 Grab my yearlong writing planner for free (it includes my eBook!) 🎥 Watch the teaching strategies in action on YouTube 📝 Read the latest blog posts for writing tips & ideas HAVE A QUESTION? Email me at robin@structuredwritingteacher.com
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, Evidence, Reasoning) to prepare students for constructed responses • Help students practice argument writing and thesis statements before the test • Turn digital questions into collaborative whiteboard activities • Use task card games like Scoot to review grammar and reading skills • Get students to explain their thinking and eliminate wrong answers These strategies help students go deeper with their learning, instead of skimming the surface during test prep. You’ll also get a sneak peek at the upcoming 5th Grade Structured Writing Curriculum and see examples of activities you can use right away. 📌 Resources mentioned in the video: Chicken Foot Thesis Writing Brain Battle Scoot Thoughts? Questions? Send me a text message! ➡️ Learn more about the FULL Structured Writing training PD 📆 Grab my yearlong writing planner for free (it includes my eBook!) 🎥 Watch the teaching strategies in action on YouTube 📝 Read the latest blog posts for writing tips & ideas HAVE A QUESTION? Email me at robin@structuredwritingteacher.com
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 evidence-based writing, this shift might be the game changer you need. Looking for full-year writing programs that get results?? Go HERE. Thoughts? Questions? Send me a text message! ➡️ Learn more about the FULL Structured Writing training PD 📆 Grab my yearlong writing planner for free (it includes my eBook!) 🎥 Watch the teaching strategies in action on YouTube 📝 Read the latest blog posts for writing tips & ideas HAVE A QUESTION? Email me at robin@structuredwritingteacher.com
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 looks like in grades 4–8 The six core writing skills my students practice all year (and why the first three matter most) How daily sentence combining improves grammar, sentence structure, and clarity Why quick writes eliminate writer’s block and build writing stamina How I use CER (Claim, Evidence, Reasoning) instead of RACE across ELA, science, and social studies How I teach essay structure by deconstructing student writing , not memorizing formulas Why short, focused essay cycles lead to stronger writing and less grading How this approach builds real confidence before state testing I also share one of my favorite end-of-year moments, when students rewrite a piece from the first week of school and see just how much their writing has changed. If you’re looking for a clearer, more effective way to teach writing in upper elementary or middle school, this episode walks you through the structure, routines, and mindset behind a skills-first writing classroom. Recommended for: Grades 4–8 teachers, ELA teachers, writing coaches, and homeschool educators Ready to dive into my full year curriculum? Go HERE. Thoughts? Questions? Send me a text message! ➡️ Learn more about the FULL Structured Writing training PD 📆 Grab my yearlong writing planner for free (it includes my eBook!) 🎥 Watch the teaching strategies in action on YouTube 📝 Read the latest blog posts for writing tips & ideas HAVE A QUESTION? Email me at robin@structuredwritingteacher.com
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 design writing instruction. You’ll hear updates on: The shift toward a One-Click Curriculum that makes materials easier to find and use How daily warm-ups and quick writes are expanding to include story starters Why creative writing and voice matter more than ever A new Reading Lab format that brings structured discussion into reading instruction How CER is being intentionally connected across ELA, science, history, and math What’s coming next for grades 4 through 8 This episode is especially helpful if you teach upper elementary or middle school and are thinking about how to balance structure, creativity, and meaningful writing practice in the year ahead. Interested in my full writing curriculum? Go HERE. Thoughts? Questions? Send me a text message! ➡️ Learn more about the FULL Structured Writing training PD 📆 Grab my yearlong writing planner for free (it includes my eBook!) 🎥 Watch the teaching strategies in action on YouTube 📝 Read the latest blog posts for writing tips & ideas HAVE A QUESTION? Email me at robin@structuredwritingteacher.com
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? Questions? Send me a text message! ➡️ Learn more about the FULL Structured Writing training PD 📆 Grab my yearlong writing planner for free (it includes my eBook!) 🎥 Watch the teaching strategies in action on YouTube 📝 Read the latest blog posts for writing tips & ideas HAVE A QUESTION? Email me at robin@structuredwritingteacher.com
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 ALL the steps of an engaging writer's workshop. You'll see pictures of it in action, and I take a deep, deep dive into HOW to teach the 6 high-priority skills. A bonus module goes deep into the world of teaching essays in middle school. More details below Thoughts? Questions? Send me a text message! ➡️ Learn more about the FULL Structured Writing training PD 📆 Grab my yearlong writing planner for free (it includes my eBook!) 🎥 Watch the teaching strategies in action on YouTube 📝 Read the latest blog posts for writing tips & ideas HAVE A QUESTION? Email me at robin@structuredwritingteacher.com
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 message! ➡️ Learn more about the FULL Structured Writing training PD 📆 Grab my yearlong writing planner for free (it includes my eBook!) 🎥 Watch the teaching strategies in action on YouTube 📝 Read the latest blog posts for writing tips & ideas HAVE A QUESTION? Email me at robin@structuredwritingteacher.com
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 hilarious monster real-estate challenge your students will beg to do again. Ready to make this October unforgettable? Grab my Halloween Writing Bundle here 👇 🎃 Halloween Writing Prompts & Persuasive Writing Activities Thoughts? Questions? Send me a text message! ➡️ Learn more about the FULL Structured Writing training PD 📆 Grab my yearlong writing planner for free (it includes my eBook!) 🎥 Watch the teaching strategies in action on YouTube 📝 Read the latest blog posts for writing tips & ideas HAVE A QUESTION? Email me at robin@structuredwritingteacher.com
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 Teacher Trail I’ve created: 1️⃣ Start with my 9-minute YouTube demo (three ways to write narrative + essay hooks). 2️⃣ Share the student-facing video from Write with Robin. 3️⃣ Come back here for more student examples, strategies, and depth. Next step on your trail? HOP HERE! Thoughts? Questions? Send me a text message! ➡️ Learn more about the FULL Structured Writing training PD 📆 Grab my yearlong writing planner for free (it includes my eBook!) 🎥 Watch the teaching strategies in action on YouTube 📝 Read the latest blog posts for writing tips & ideas HAVE A QUESTION? Email me at robin@structuredwritingteacher.com
"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 course HERE Thoughts? Questions? Send me a text message! ➡️ Learn more about the FULL Structured Writing training PD 📆 Grab my yearlong writing planner for free (it includes my eBook!) 🎥 Watch the teaching strategies in action on YouTube 📝 Read the latest blog posts for writing tips & ideas HAVE A QUESTION? Email me at robin@structuredwritingteacher.com
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 strategy can be used across subjects like math, science, and history. To read about it in depth and see a short video: Go HERE To take the Structured Writer's Workshop CRASH COURSE, go HERE . Thoughts? Questions? Send me a text message! ➡️ Learn more about the FULL Structured Writing training PD 📆 Grab my yearlong writing planner for free (it includes my eBook!) 🎥 Watch the teaching strategies in action on YouTube 📝 Read the latest blog posts for writing tips & ideas HAVE A QUESTION? Email me at robin@structuredwritingteacher.com
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 I teach writing. The routines in the Structured Writer’s Workshop™ are the same ones professional authors use every day, but they're adapted to fit a real classroom. That means your students aren’t just “doing assignments”… they’re practicing the skills of actual writers. What You’ll Learn in This Crash Course: The 6 SUPER Skills that build strong writers step by step How to structure your writing block so students are engaged Simple routines that give students ownership of their writing and revision How this framework fits seamlessly into ELA or homeschool instruction Real classroom strategies that work for all learners (reluctant writers included) Get the free eBook PDF here! Thoughts? Questions? Send me a text message! ➡️ Learn more about the FULL Structured Writing training PD 📆 Grab my yearlong writing planner for free (it includes my eBook!) 🎥 Watch the teaching strategies in action on YouTube 📝 Read the latest blog posts for writing tips & ideas HAVE A QUESTION? Email me at robin@structuredwritingteacher.com
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 contradicted classroom practices. While publishers expected complete manuscript rewrites in weeks or even days, schools were still dedicating entire quarters to single essays. This disconnect revealed a crucial truth: volume matters enormously in developing writing proficiency. Kelly Gallagher's critique of the "4x4 classroom" (four big books, four big essays annually) resonates deeply with what professional writers like RL Stine know instinctively—writing improves through consistent practice, not occasional massive projects. Stine, who produced Goosebumps books monthly, found that "writing fast forced him to stay in the flow, avoid overthinking, and treat perfectionism like the monster it is." My structured writing method transforms reluctant writers through daily sentence combining exercises, perspective-based quick writes using engaging images, and explicit weekly workshop skills. When essay time arrives, we tackle it in focused 10-day blocks with clear checkpoints rather than dragging the process across an entire quarter. Students set line-length goals, building the confidence to overcome writing inertia while developing authentic voice. The results speak volumes! Students who once feared writing now request additional workshop time. Even implementing these strategies mid-year yields remarkable growth. Start tomorrow by replacing traditional warm-ups with sentence combining and perspective-based quick writes, and watch as your students discover that writing can actually be enjoyable. Visit structuredwritingteacher.com to learn more about implementing these volume-based strategies in your classroom. Thoughts? Questions? Send me a text message! ➡️ Learn more about the FULL Structured Writing training PD 📆 Grab my yearlong writing planner for free (it includes my eBook!) 🎥 Watch the teaching strategies in action on YouTube 📝 Read the latest blog posts for writing tips & ideas HAVE A QUESTION? Email me at robin@structuredwritingteacher.com
