Middle school can be an extremely challenging grade level to teach. With students leaving childhood but not quite entering adolescence, it can be difficult to keep their attention in the classroom and help them understand difficult subjects. Luckily, there are several YouTube channels that focus on those so-called awkward years that will help students learn and help you keep your sanity.

1.       The Brain Scoop

YouTube star Emily Graslie hosts this channel as the “Chief Curiosity Correspondent.” With a pleasant and likable demeanor, Emily easily attracts attention as she teaches kids about science. And because a lot of these videos have the sort of topic that middle-schoolers find fun (think bodily functions), it’s sure to be entertaining as well as informative.

2.       SciShow

Another primarily science-based channel, SciShow covers a host of scientific subjects from biology to astronomy. While a lot of these videos are great for middle school, if you’re looking for lower-level material for underperforming students, check out the SciShow Kids version of the channel.

3.       SoulPancake

With an adorable and inspiring host, the Kid President show on this channel is specifically geared towards middle school-aged students. The charming speaker gives motivating speeches on making friends, taking stands, and helping others.

4.       Too Cool For Middle School

While not a channel with videos to include in your lessons, this channel is brought to you by an enthusiastic middle school teacher with a passion for lesson planning. She’s got lots of good tips to help you with structure and pacing.

5.       Good Mythical Morning

The guys over at Good Mythical Morning rely heavily on comedy to serve information. They tell jokes and sing silly songs, but also encourage curiosity as they explore concepts and vocabulary.

6.       React

On this channel, kids, tweens, and even older people react to certain concepts. It is an excellent channel to show how to treat difficult topics with respect and understanding, but there can be controversial topics, so proceed with caution.

7.       Coma Niddy

Middle school students are at the cusp of entering society as near adults. They are getting into pop culture and music. Coma Niddy, a nerdy rapper, explores scientific concepts through hip-hop that will have students remembering those ideas for years to come.

8.       It’s Okay to Be Smart

If you’re a science teacher in middle school, this is a great channel to show your students that knowing things doesn’t make you a geek and that it’s pretty cool to be smart. Dr. Joe Hanson encourages viewers to embrace “the pleasure of finding things out.”

9.       TED-Ed

While most TED talks have been developed for adults, this channel focuses on the primary concerns of kids, tweens, and teens. These “lessons worth sharing” help students learn everything from science to history to social and emotional health.

10.   Minute Physics

If you’re looking for tiny boosts for your lesson plans for science, this is your channel. These short videos give information in a compact and meaningful way, so you’ll always have time for the rest of your lesson.

 Final Thoughts

Middle school can be tough, whether you’re a student or a teacher. The above listed YouTube channels will make everyone’s time just a little bit more fun, exciting, and even informative in the classroom.