As an elementary school educator, you know the challenges that come along with teaching children. It can often be difficult to capture their attention for extended periods of time, and sometimes they just need a little something extra. With schools leaning toward the use of technology in the classroom, it’s important to model how to use the internet for educational purposes. If you’re looking for a bit of a boost for your elementary classroom lessons, these ten YouTube channels will help you out.

1.       Sesame Street

Sesame Street is no longer just a puppet-based kids’ show on TV. They’ve embraced YouTube and have created an excellent channel featuring all of those Sesame Street characters we know and love to help make learning fun for elementary school students.

2.       SoulPancake

Focusing less on math and reading and more on art, culture, even philosophy, SoulPancake delivers wholesome videos that encourage metacognition in ways that kids can understand. Use this channel if you’re delivering a thematic unit in science or history.

3.       Smithsonian Channel

Named for the premier educational institution – the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History – this channel showcases videos on the natural world and world history. It’s a perfect way to boost lessons you’ve already planned with interesting footage and clear explanations.

4.       Kids Learning Tube

This incredible channel relies heavily on song to relay information. For instance, videos like the “Periodic Table of Elements Song” help students learn facts through music.

5.       Free School

People, places, and things are all prevalent on this channel. Videos about history, geology, and even biographies of important people all help make this channel usable in the classroom setting. The videos are well-edited and narrated, and even anticipate questions that students may have as they watch.

6.       National Geographic Kids

Extremely well produced, since it is connected to the well-known brand it is named for, National Geographic Kids highlights extremely well-produced videos with high quality footage. Because the videos are quite short, at under five minutes for most of them, they are excellent little boosts for your lesson plan without completely taking over what you have planned. They are easy to slip in here and there and don’t require a long attention span.

7.       Homeschool Pop!

Even if you aren’t a homeschooler, these videos can add interest and entertainment to your lessons. The best part about this channel is that they organize their videos into playlists according to subject and grade level, which means you’ll easily find what you’re looking for. Plus, it helps with scaffolding information so you know what information to approach next.

8.       WordWorldPBS

If your focus in the classroom is on reading and language, WordWorldPBS may quickly become your closest friend. The channel boasts that your students will be able to “watch words come alive” with their videos, and with fun animated content, it is perfectly suited to elementary school classrooms.

9.       Smart Girls

Don’t be put off by the gender-exclusive name for this channel. It showcases inspiring profiles of important women, whose achievements are motivating for girls and boys alike.

10.   TED-Ed

While TED talks are very popular with adults, the nonprofit has created this channel to focus on concepts, especially for much younger audiences. With brain games, riddles, and interesting topics, this channel is perfect to boost your lessons with short brain breaks.

 Concluding Thoughts

YouTube can be a resource of infinite value in the elementary school classroom. Not only can it add extra information to your lessons, but it can help you create an entertaining way to structure your lessons without feeling like you’re wasting time. The ten channels listed above will surely aid you in your search to brighten up your lessons throughout the day.