In this blog post, we will go through 3 things students need from their teachers from the perspective of middle school ELA.
Middle schoolers may not say it out loud (or at all), but they need a lot from us as teachers, especially in the ELA classroom.
Some days, it feels like you’re being asked to wear ten different hats, teacher, mentor, referee, coach, event planner, and that’s not even including your actual job of teaching reading, writing, and communication skills.
But at the heart of all the chaos, there are a few core things students need from you every single day. If you can focus on these, you’ll build strong relationships, support academic growth, and help students feel seen and successful, even on the hardest days.

3 Things Students Need from Middle School ELA Teachers
Here’s what your students need most from you in middle school ELA.
1 | Structure and Predictability
Middle schoolers may act like they want freedom and flexibility, but what they really need is consistency. They thrive when they know what to expect.
That means:
- Clear routines (What’s the warm-up? How do I turn in work?)
- Consistent expectations (What’s acceptable in group work? How do we participate in discussions?)
- A steady presence (You don’t need to be the “fun” teacher, but you do need to be reliable.)
Start the year by teaching your routines and reinforcing them daily. Need a place to begin? Check out our post on Goals for the First Two Weeks of Middle School ELA. It’s all about setting the tone early.

2 | Engaging and Purposeful Content
ELA can feel boring if students don’t see the point, but it doesn’t have to be. When your lessons have a clear purpose and a little spark, students will respond.
That doesn’t mean you need games and glitter every day.
It means:
- Use high-interest texts and topics
- Give students authentic reasons to read and write
- Vary your approach (paired passages, digital sorts, creative writing, etc.)
Our Standards-Based Units help keep things focused while still allowing for creativity and connection. They’re designed to target essential skills without overwhelming you or your students.



3 | Encouragement, Honesty, and Feedback
Students are looking for signs that they’re on the right track, especially in subjects like reading and writing, where there isn’t always a clear-cut answer.
They need encouragement, yes—but they also need honesty. They can tell when we’re sugarcoating things, and they’ll trust you more if your feedback is both kind and real.
Make sure you’re offering:
- Specific praise (“You really backed up your claim well here.”)
- Constructive direction (“Let’s work on adding more text evidence to support your point.”)
- Honest reflection (“This part is a little confusing, can you tell me more about what you meant here?”)
You don’t have to grade everything, but you do need to give consistent, meaningful feedback. A sticky note. A quick conference. A margin note. It goes a long way.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to be everything to everyone, and you don’t need to have the perfect lesson every day.
But when you focus on structure, engaging content, student voice, honest feedback, and a steady presence, you’re meeting your students where they are and giving them what they need most.
And the best part? You’re building a classroom where learning feels safe, meaningful, and maybe even a little bit fun.
You’ve got this.