Best Educational YouTube Videos for Middle School ELA Teachers
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Middle school ELA teachers need videos that do more than entertain. The best classroom videos support analysis, discussion, vocabulary, writing, and close thinking. They also need to be short enough that they do not take over the whole class period.
If you want the broader searchable hub, start here: Teacher-Curated Educational Video Library.
1. The Blue Umbrella
Study Guide: The Blue Umbrella Guide.
One of the strongest short films for ELA because it supports personification, symbolism, tone, mood, and theme in one short viewing experience.
2. Bao
Study Guide: Bao Guide.
Especially useful for inference, character motivation, family relationships, and theme.
3. Day & Night
Study Guide: Day & Night Guide.
A strong short film for discussing perspective, contrast, and theme.
4. Lou
Study Guide: Lou Guide.
A strong ELA and SEL crossover choice because it opens discussion about bullying, empathy, and character change.
5. To This Day
Related bundle page: TED Talk & TED-Ed Analysis Guide Mega Bundle.
A powerful option for older middle school ELA teachers who want to connect poetry, voice, bullying, and performance.
6. The Power of Vulnerability
Related bundle page: TED Talk & TED-Ed Analysis Guide Mega Bundle.
Useful for older students when analyzing argument, message, and speaker choices.
7. Ugly History: Witch Hunts
Watch on YouTube: Ugly History: Witch Hunts.
A strong crossover video because it supports historical context, tone, perspective, and discussion.
8. Wonder Short Film Series: Please Recycle
Watch on YouTube: Please Recycle.
Mini Guide: Please Recycle Mini Guide.
Why videos work well in middle school ELA
- Theme
- Character development
- Conflict
- Inference
- Symbolism
- Tone and mood
- Discussion and writing response
FAQ
What are the best YouTube videos for middle school ELA?
The best middle school ELA videos are short, discussion-friendly, and rich enough to support writing, analysis, and literary thinking.
Can short films work in middle school ELA?
Yes. Short films are especially useful because they allow teachers to teach theme, inference, and literary analysis in a manageable time frame.
How can teachers use videos in ELA class?
Videos work well as discussion starters, writing prompts, literature analysis models, and short close-viewing activities.
The best educational YouTube videos for middle school ELA are the ones that give students something worth thinking and writing about after the video ends.