Research often feels overwhelming because students are asked to read, take notes, decide what matters, paraphrase, organize ideas, and write—all at once. One of the biggest misconceptions about research is that these skills only belong inside a research unit. In reality, research is built on critical thinking skills students practice all year through everyday reading, writing, and discussion.

This episode focuses on evaluating evidence as a core research skill that already shows up in daily instruction. You’ll hear practical classroom examples and simple ways to name this thinking so students can transfer what they already know when it’s time for formal research. The goal is to make research feel more manageable by building on the critical thinking students already use across content areas.

Read more in the show notes.

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Research is a core part of ELA, but it’s also where many students feel stuck and unsure how to begin. In this episode, I break down why research feels challenging for students and reframe it as familiar reading and writing skills students already know how to do. Instead of focusing on quick fixes, this episode helps teachers understand the thinking work behind research and why overwhelm is often a cognitive issue, not a motivation problem.

This episode kicks off a short mini-series on teaching research. Listeners will explore how focusing on one research skill at a time can bring clarity and confidence to students without lowering expectations or adding extra work. Upcoming episodes will take a closer look at evaluating evidence in reading and research and helping students spot bias in informational texts, all through a middle school lens.

Read more in the show notes.

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Related episodes and blog posts:

• Add Nonfiction to Independent Reading

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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/middleschoolcafe
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Happy New Year! As the new term begins, many middle school ELA classrooms start to shift toward nonfiction, informational text, and research. In this episode, we talk about how to make nonfiction a natural part of independent reading—without turning it into a separate unit or disrupting the reading culture you’ve worked so hard to build.

We explore why easing nonfiction into independent reading matters, how to lower student resistance to nonfiction, and simple, low-pressure ways to incorporate nonfiction articles, graphic nonfiction, and podcasts alongside novels. You’ll hear practical strategies for modeling real-world nonfiction reading habits, building curiosity, and helping students see nonfiction as a useful, everyday reading tool. This episode sets the foundation for upcoming conversations about nonfiction and research while keeping reading flexible, student-centered, and manageable.

Read more in the show notes.

Check out the new FREE ELA Community!

FREE ELA Community
Website: https://middleschoolcafe.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/middleschoolcafe
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/middleschoolcafe/
TPT Shop: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Middle-School-Cafe