8 YouTube Videos to Use with Young Students

This is my second year working with 1st and 2nd graders and for many of them, learning a second language isn’t easy. The students I work with spend a lot of time doing book work, which for a 6-8 year old can get boring pretty darn fast. Incorporating videos mixes up the lesson and gives the students a visual and audio perspective of what they’re learning. 

The following list are 8 useful YouTube videos my teachers and I have compiled not only for the parents to use at home, but for us to use in class:

Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes

This was an instant top hit for 2nd grade last year and 1st grade caught on just as quickly. The video is narrated by the author of the book, Pete the Cat, who loves walking in his white shoes. The chorus of the song is what gets the kids excited, “I love my white shoessss, I love my white shoesss…” Pete’s shoes keep changing color as he walks in blueberries, mud, and more.  

In, On, Under 

In, On, Under is a catchy song that will get stuck in your head in no time. The lyrics on the screen help the students learn some essential prepositions that correspond with the animations. In our class, we also use our hands to memorize each preposition such as the right hand flat on our left fist to symbolize “on.”

Jolly Phonics

Jolly Phonics plays the alphabet letter by letter with simple, easy-to-learn tunes. Part of the song includes the sound each letter makes. 

The House Song

Especially useful for science lessons, The House Song helps students learn the difference between sizes (big vs. small, short vs. tall) along with building materials such as bricks, concrete, sticks, wood, etc. 

The Skeleton Dance

A Halloween favorite! The Skeleton Dance will make your students jump out of their seats faster than you can say Trick-or-Treat. This is a great video to use for natural science lessons along with getting some of your students’ energy out. 

The Five Senses: Dr. Binocs Show

Another great video for science class! The little animated teacher, Dr. Binocs, takes you through the five senses and which parts of the body uses each one. 

Peppa Pig 

Peppa Pig is a British children’s show that has short episodes following the adventures of Peppa the Pig and her family. Topics can range from Christmas to birthday parties, to going to the dentist. These videos are fun if you have five extra minutes of class, or simply need a break!

The Three Little Pigs

After reading The Three Little Pigs, my teacher asked if I could find a video to go along with it. I remember watching Disney’s Silly Symphony version when I was little, and it turned out to be a great one to use in class. The students love the music and watching the story unfold. 

Follow my blog with Bloglovin