Middle School Math & Social and Emotional Learning Video Library
Curated in partnership between Common Sense Media and YouTube, these videos for sixth, seventh, and eighth graders have been carefully reviewed to support teachers in finding high-quality, standards-aligned content to use in their classrooms. Each math video and advisory video has been selected across key criteria including content, purpose, age appropriateness, and engagement. The math videos are organized by topic and respective grades 6–8, and all of the SEL videos are suitable for grades 6 through 8.
If you have any questions, please contact: [email protected].
Links below:
Advisory Videos for 6th-8th Grade
College and Career: Advocating for yourself
College and Career: Exploring careers
College and Career: Preparing for high school and college
Social awareness and relationships
Maintaining healthy relationships
Social awareness and relationships: Communication skills
Organization skills and time management
Advisory Videos for 6th-8th Grade
Teachers can use these videos to support 6th-8th grade students’ social, emotional, and academic growth. Topics include communication, collaboration, responsible decision-making, self-advocacy, and preparing for high school and future careers—all designed to help middle schoolers build confidence and life skills.
College and Career:
Advocating for yourself
Teachers can use these videos to guide students in speaking up for their needs, making responsible choices, and confidently pursuing their goals.
| Title | One liner | Length | Video Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Why Being Assertive & Advocating for Yourself Matters | A short guide to understanding what it means to be a self-advocate and assertive | 3:17 | uqHRCchoXKY |
| Self Advocacy | Understand what it means to be a self-advocate and how to speak up for yourself | 2:34 | TAfOrmlgclU |
| Advocating for Yourself & Likability #wellwithraele #communicationcoach | Short video introducing the idea that speaking up for yourself might benefit you and help others trying to find their voice | 0:42 | K234adYyS0Y |
| Self Advocacy - Social Emotional Lesson - Special Education Students | Kid-friendly introduction to the concept of self-advocacy and setting personal boundaries | 3:26 | z2sJ8KmH8ro |
| 5 Tips to Make Assertive Communication Easier and More Effective | Tips for how to make assertive communication easier, more effective, and respectful | 6:27 | vlwmfiCb-vc |
| Advocating for Yourself in School and Beyond (ft. Lucy della Penna) | A guide to standing up and voicing your needs as a student with ADHD, dyslexia, or other learning differences | 11:45 | YgPwyzZ9Vt0 |
College and Career:
Exploring careers
Teachers can use these videos to help students investigate different careers, understand the skills and education needed, and connect their interests to future opportunities.
| Title | One liner | Length | Video Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| How To Find Your Passion - 11 Abilities (Which one is for you?) | Learn to understand and explore 11 abilities that can help you find your passion and success | 9:11 | bt9VdqvYDSc |
| How To Find Your Passion | Suggestions to help find and pursue your passions | 5:41 | 6pgaJb2Wwhs |
| How to Choose A Career You Won’t Regret | How to pick a career that makes you happy and reflects who you are | 9:55 | tXlL89ZM_XA |
| Using Self-Evaluation to Choose a Career | Short guide to evaluating your interests, skills, and personality to find a career that suits you | 1:36 | 83ZlTTfQnws |
| How to Choose a Major | Crash Course | How to College | A crash course in picking a major for students starting their college education | 11:23 | eGR2Yf6yBRA |
| Navigating Teen Life | Top 5 Tips for Career Planning | Teen perspectives on planning for a future career | 1:23 | yJAuES1-tPc |
| How to Choose the Right Career Path in 7 Simple Steps | 7 tips for thinking through a realistic career path | 4:05 | zhpcgpqWc1Q |
| Middle School Career Exploration | Three fun, meaningful tips for middle school students to help start exploring career options | 3:16 | 8N7aDwKEGPk |
| Job Interview Prep | Two teens conduct mock interviews to demonstrate the dos and don'ts for getting a job or internship | 6:14 | ytckc4Gljlo |
College and Career:
Preparing for high school and college
Teachers can use these videos to guide students in planning for high school and beyond, building the skills and habits that support academic success and future college or career goals.
| Title | One liner | Length | Video Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Advice for Back to School Anxiety | Advice for managing the potential anxiety that comes with the start of a new school year | 5:55 | ihUAJSPk76o |
| Don’t go back to school before doing these 5 things. | 5 strategies for cultivating a productive mindset and having a successful school year | 17 | Uk4ZUoJhLCQ |
| how to get the most out of high school summer (ALL grades) | A guide for college-bound high school students on how to best use summer break to build future success | 6:31 | MtFfK9uVg6s |
| 50 things i wish i knew before starting high school | FRESHMAN ADVICE | Concrete tips from a student for a happy, successful year in high school | 12:22 | AUtlvhQU5Do |
| How to Enjoy High School | Quick tips to help you make the most of extracurriculars and still enjoy your high school experience | 0:24 | umoAXgAEPD0 |
| How to Survive High School | Teens share advice for adapting to and thriving in high school | 4:13 | vUXU7ZC7APQ |
| Why Taking Challenging Classes in High School Matters 🚀📚🎓 | Advice about taking challenging courses to learn, develop skills, build confidence, and maximize chances for success | 3:02 | ec_Y8MkQc6E |
Responsible decision making
Teachers can use these videos to help students think through choices, weigh consequences, and make decisions that reflect their values and goals.
| Title | One liner | Length | Video Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Responsible Decision Making: Values | A young person's perspective on what responsible decision making means | 0:59 | FaZXSkevn-w |
| How to overcome your mistakes | A relatable exploration of how to overcome mistakes and cultivate a growth mindset | 4:51 | eBz7iUJu9UM |
| Mindful Choices | Animated short about the role of mindfulness in making responsible decisions | 4:58 | yTgNM5wGr2E |
| How to Make a Decision | Effective conversation starter explores the role of an optimistic or pessimistic outlook can have in making difficult decisions | 3:37 | 3-ahNeWAGvE |
| Decision-Making Strategies | An introduction to decision making strategies for kids and adults alike | 4:24 | pPIhAm_WGbQ |
| Digital Safety: Safe Interactions - Recognizing and Responding to Unsafe Online Situations | Important tips for recognizing and responding unsafe situations online | 8:37 | M86Cy09_BJo |
| The Real Secret to Fighting Peer Pressure | A research-based look at recognizing and resisting peer pressure | 4:31 | uME3JOM3W4k |
| CONFLICT RESOLUTION for Children 🤝 Assertive 😡 Aggressive 😞 Passive 😒 Passive-Aggressive | A look at what causes conflicts and the choices we can make in responding to them | 6:16 | Xo_xvARYchk |
| 14 Effective Conflict Resolution Techniques | A guide to using a range of different conflict resolution strategies to communicate and solve problems | 12:01 | v4sby5j4dTY |
| Anger Management Techniques For Kids - Strategies To Calm Down When Your Temper Rises | 5 strategies for managing anger that specifically address young people | 5:28 | lxxpDF45TPA |
Social awareness and relationships
Teachers can use these videos to help students understand others’ perspectives, build positive relationships, and navigate social situations with empathy and respect.
| Title | One liner | Length | Video Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Understanding Feelings for Middle School Students : Tips for Self-Awareness & Emotional Control | A guide for understanding feelings and controlling emotional responses designed specifically for middle school students | 5:03 | h1b0oGx2ilc |
| What is Self-Awareness + 5 reasons it's important | Learn what it means to be self-aware and how that knowledge can help us be happier and more successful | 4:33 | k-J2Tcqhde0 |
| Understanding Thoughts for Middle School Students | Child Mind Institute | A guide to separating our thoughts from facts to help be mindful of the present | 5:27 | 5BEmcnsa8Oc |
| The Importance of Empathy | An introduction to understanding empathy and its role in healthy relationships | 3:30 | UzPMMSKfKZQ |
| 7 Hidden Signs Someone Is Secretly Unhappy | Seven signs to help recognize when someone is sad and in need of support | 5:42 | 4bZeWA3QRZg |
| How To Be A Better Friend To Others | Concrete steps to help be a better friend | 9:06 | FPOU-Y2lWUw |
| The Science of Emotion Regulation: How Our Brains Process Emotions | A guide to understanding how our brain processes emotions to help regulate our responses to difficult situations | 9:11 | f0oG1J2escU |
| The 5-4-3-2-1 Method: A Grounding Exercise to Manage Anxiety | A very calming exercise designed to manage anxiety and stress | 4:28 | 30VMIEmA114 |
| How miscommunication happens (and how to avoid it) - Katherine Hampsten | An animated exploration of how we communicate and how to avoid misunderstandings in real life situations | 4:32 | gCfzeONu3Mo |
| SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING VIDEO LESSON WEEK 9: SOCIAL AWARENESS! | A short introduction to the concept of social awareness and the importance of understanding other people's emotions | 1:31 | reM8uQVqgoM |
| Don't Put People in Boxes | Steps towards finding connections with other people instead of focusing on difference | 4:24 | zRwt25M5nGw |
| Social Emotional Learning For Kids: Benji, the Bad Day, and Me | Vooks Storytime | A readaloud for kids explores neurodiversity and how we respond to frustration | 10:50 | CEPw4CEGc1o |
| Teen Voices: Oversharing and Your Digital Footprint | Teens share their perspectives on oversharing and managing their digital footprint | 3:34 | ottnH427Fr8 |
| Social Media, Social Life: Teens Reveal Their Experiences | Teens share their experiences with social media and the impact it has on their daily lives | 3:16 | GGGDfciqyvw |
| 🗣️💬 Want to make friends but you're shy? | A quick tip to help students make friends | :31 | uegc24iA7BM |
| Building Healthy Relationships (For Teens) | A good conversation starter about making friends when you're shy | 0:30 | ELLaMPiPqPM |
| What Teens Think About: Healthy Relationships | Teens' perspectives on what makes a healthy relationship | 2:03 | DPb_B0pTBoQ |
Exploring self-identity
Teachers can use these videos to help students explore their personal values, strengths, and experiences to better understand their own identity and how it shapes their interactions with others.
| Title | One liner | Length | Video Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exploring Perceptions About Identity Through Self-Portraits | An activity guide for teachers to help students explore and express intersecting aspects of identity | 2:36 | yNm3xM4B00s |
| Your identity is your superpower | America Ferrera | Deeply personal account of coming to love and embrace who you are | 4:16 | XQJhRDbsDzI |
| Identity: More than our labels | Young people share how labels can limit understanding and expression of who they are | 4:16 | z0sU78HdjjE |
| Who Am I? | An animated exploration of the philosophy on what shapes identity | 7:46 | oocunV4JX4w |
| Being a Teen with Social Anxiety - Jessie Paege and Kati Morton | Kati Morton | Relatable interview about what it's like to be a teen with social anxiety | 17:33 | Cr9Q0IEMsO8 |
| Rearview Mirror Part 1 (Self Reflection) | In Control Middle School SEL | How to get started with self-reflection in under 5 minutes | 4:08 | 7u7T1njz1Uw |
| Self-Awareness: Recognizing Strengths and Challenges - Middle School Life Skills | Learn to recognize strengths and challenges as a key part of growth and change | 7:33 | r4LgXnT2KKE |
| Gender Roles and Stereotypes | Short cartoon effectively introduces gender roles and stereotypes | 1:47 | Ulh0DnFUGsk |
| How To Know Yourself | Thoughtful cartoon explains how to know yourself better (and why that's important) | 5:55 | 4lTbWQ8zD3w |
| A Neuroscientist Explains How Breathing Impacts the Brain | A neuroscientist explains how the way we breathe can affect our brains and bodies | 4:55 | 2HojLhKlJto |
| Tips to Overcome Public Speaking Anxiety and Nervousness in the Classroom | Tips to overcome anxiety about speaking and participating in class | 3:18 | eXHivnWyZyo |
| What is Self-Awareness + 5 reasons it's important | What is self-awareness, and 5 reasons it's important | 4:33 | k-J2Tcqhde0 |
| Know Your Character Strengths | Learn to know and understand your unique combination of character strengths | 2:59 | JLUOlLRbazA |
| Wellbeing For Children: Identity And Values | Cartoon shows how identity and values impact well-being | 5:03 | om3INBWfoxY |
Maintaining healthy relationships
Teachers can use these videos to help students develop communication skills, set boundaries, and build respectful, supportive relationships with peers and adults.
| Title | One liner | Length | Video Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthy Friendships and Relationships [Student Wellbeing] | A one-minute conversation starter about healthy friendships | 1:14 | eVhJoFIZEMc |
| Fighting Fair: How Do You Resolve Conflict? | A guide for younger students on resolving many types of conflicts | 1:53 | gu8gSuF_lvw |
| How some friendships last — and others don’t - Iseult Gillespie | Learn about ways to make, grow, and maintain healthy friendships | 4:58 | kOVdiDUlNsg |
| How to Friend Fight - How to Middle School Ep. 4 | Shelf Stuff | Illustrated explainer with 3 simple steps to have a 'healthy' fight that doesn't hurt a friendship | 5:59 | AZhS13FLDiI |
| How to Set Healthy Personal Boundaries | A short intro to setting personal boundaries with the people in our lives | 2:00 | pC5FtPX6Ngg |
| 7 Habits of Healthy Relationships | An introduction to building 7 habits for healthy relationships with a partner | 5:26 | Vi0J9oj4aoA |
| What Makes A Relationship Healthy? | A fast conversation starter about healthy relationships with a partner | 2:15 | UB9anEZx9LU |
| How to Have Healthy Relationships | A guide to recognizing unhealthy relationships and making healthy choices | 2:12 | wWlVzmGGeoQ |
| The Three Requirements of a Good Relationship | Two-minute intro to three key ingredients for a healthy relationship | 5:00 | UOn9HVQdOGc |
| What Teens Think About: Healthy Relationships | Teens share their ideas about what makes a healthy relationship | 2:03 | DPb_B0pTBoQ |
| Teen Voices: Friendships and Boundaries | Teens discuss boundaries with friends related to communication and social media | 5:04 | yjzGxLq1Dqs |
| Teens Talk Relationships: Friendship Edition | Teens share ideas on how to maintain healthy friendships | 3:51 | KhezGp68DWU |
Collaboration and group work
Teachers can use these videos to help students work effectively with others, share ideas, solve problems together, and contribute to positive group outcomes.
| Title | One liner | Length | Video Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooperation vs Collaboration: When To Use Each Approach | An illustrated comparison of cooperation and collaboration | 1:23 | Gr5mAboH1Kk |
| 4 Things We Learn From TeamWork | Four tips for being a good team member, from a teen's perspective | 4:52 | ag1V76oBMkM |
| The 7 Keys to Creative Collaboration | Illustrated overview of 7 keys to creative and successful collaboration | 2:17 | 2DmFFS0dqQc |
Social awareness and relationships: Communication skills
Teachers can use these videos to help students express ideas clearly, listen actively, and interact respectfully in a variety of social and academic settings.
| Title | One liner | Length | Video Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| How miscommunication happens (and how to avoid it) - Katherine Hampsten | Learn to recognize and avoid miscommunication | 4:32 | gCfzeONu3Mo |
| How to Talk to Girls, Boys and Everyone in Between | An overview for young people of different communication styles and how they affect others | 5:56 | 9_0IJRaaXkM |
Organization skills and time management
Teachers can use these videos to illustrate how to build organization and time management skills, such as setting goals, prioritizing tasks, creating schedules, and developing routines that help students manage schoolwork and responsibilities more effectively.
| Title | One liner | Length | Video Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 tips on how to study effectively | Animated explanation of effective study techniques for retaining info and ideas, based on how the brain works | 5:08 | TjPFZaMe2yw |
| 4 Ways To Get Organized | Student perspective on four effective strategies for getting organized at school | 3:50 | J5hKPShTi3E |
| How to Take Great Notes | Intro to a three-step method for effective note-taking to help remember key information | 5:08 | UAhRf3U50lM |
| watch this if you're avoiding homework | Good tips for planning how to organize your work and approach assignments | 6:27 | 20L1VH0wdRc |
| HOW TO GET HOMEWORK DONE | Eight Tips to Procrastinate Less | Student perspective on how to avoid procrastination and get work done | 8:23 | dBVie1TFwrU |
| how i study SMART, not HARD (high school students must watch) | A student's strategies on how to plan ahead and study productively | 7:32 | Shl9Og4TLXw |
| How to be Organized for School, College or Life [The 6 Habits of Highly Organized People] | Organization strategies that can help students succeed and feel good | 5:34 | 88MjoZalHpM |
| Planning & Organization: Crash Course Study Skills #4 | Straightforward intro to organization strategies, covering topics from note-taking to your digital files | 9:24 | 0AKAuRby7n8 |
| How to STUDY so FAST that it feels ILLEGAL😳 | Sometimes funny student perspective on studying effectively, with animated clips mixed in | 7:20 | MaO1uCd-gLY |
| Backpack Organization Tips + Advice | How To Stay Organized Throughout the School Year | Student's tips on backpack organization that might seem basic but help build good habits | 6:40 | xGJYSVRzNN8 |
| Top 3 Best Organization Tips For Students | Helps students get organized for school, stop losing homework, and learn better time management | 6:35 | SH4GSwq36ek |
| HOW TO STAY ORGANIZED IN SCHOOL Back To Benjy Season 2: episode 1 | King Benjy | 4 well-explained habits for staying organized at school | 12:14 | OJnYjWHzyys |
Being in tune with your own emotions
Teachers can use these videos to guide students in recognizing and understanding their own emotions, identifying how feelings influence thoughts and actions, and developing strategies for emotional awareness and self-reflection.
| Title | One liner | Length | Video Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Everyday mindfulness | AboutKidsHealth at The Hospital for Sick Children | An introduction for kids to what mindfulness is and how it can help in everyday life | 4:45 | QTsUEOUaWpY |
| Automatic Negative Thoughts - Meet the ANT Buddies! | A short cartoon shows the power negative thoughts can have and how we can control them | 4:39 | NVT2vUQMKUc |
| How Healthy People Regulate Their Emotions | 8 tips for regulating emotions and responding to stress | 6:44 | 1DmphC3Wozo |
| Claim Your Emotions: How to Identify and Name What You're Feeling | Learn to name and claim emotions with this engaging video | 5:42 | UMumIJTxXTI |
| Circle Of Control Activity For Kids - Good Mental Health And Stress Management | Learn to recognize what is and isn't under our control with this simple activity | 3:30 | L9zwduYp9G0 |
| Why do we feel emotions? | Some science behind why we actually feel emotions | 6:39 | X40IMVCtSJE |
Self Awareness: Growth mindset
Teachers can use these videos to help students embrace challenges, learn from mistakes, and develop the resilience and strategies needed to grow academically and personally.
| Title | One liner | Length | Video Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset | Explains the difference between having a growth mindset vs. a fixed mindset | 5:03 | KUWn_TJTrnU |
| LearnStorm Growth Mindset: The Truth About Your Brain | Cartoon about growth mindset explores how the brain grows and changes | 3:12 | rf8FX2sI3gU |
| Growth Mindset | An intro to the growth mindset in just 2 minutes | 2:09 | JfdoJxPjp1k |
| Growth Mindset (Part 1 of 3) | In Control Middle School SEL | This overview shows the difference between having a growth mindset and a fixed mindset | 6:12 | GqZmvq4_MS0 |
| This Is The Growth Mindset | One-minute explainer on the growth mindset | 0:55 | jvkVAWx1ejY |
| How A Growth Mindset Will Change Your Life | Mindset by Carol Dweck | Fast-paced definition of growth mindset and fixed mindset | 0:42 | Ag-rVZdJMmY |
| Developing a Growth Mindset | How to develop a growth mindset by appreciating mistakes and challenges | 4:56 | rUJkbWNnNy4 |
| The Neuroscience of Learning | An intro to understanding how the brain is flexible and changes as we learn and grow | 3:00 | _nWMP68DqHE |